Ninetoes remembers Joseph Wambaugh

Last week had its share of celebrity deaths, but the loss of Joseph Wambaugh kicked Darren in his missing toe’s stub.

Hey there, book lovers! It’s your old pal, Ninetoes, coming to you from Ninetoes Loves Books Headquarters. Today, I have some bad news for you from the literary world. Joseph Wambaugh, the author of twenty-one books about law enforcement officers, passed away on February 28, 2025.

Mr. Wambaugh was a former LAPD detective sergeant who turned to writing. His first book, The New Centurions, was published in 1970. From there, he went on to write and publish twenty-one books, five of them non-fiction, all of them set in or around Los Angeles, California.

Several of his books, The New Centurions, The Blue Knight, The Onion Field, The Black Marble, and The Choirboys, made it to movies and television. He was also involved in creating/developing the television show Police Story, which ran from 1973-78.

Mr Wambaugh is survived by his wife of sixty-nine years, Dee; his son David; and his daughter Jeanette.

Rest in peace, Mr. Wambaugh, and thank you for your talent.

Darren “Ninetoes” Perdue is a book and media reviewer. When he is not reading, he is watching true crime shows, cooking for his family, or working on a plan for universal domination. If you see him on his porch, say hi. He does not bite…much.