List of Hill Street Blues characters

Main characters

Officers are listed by the rank they held at first appearance on the program; some officers later held higher ranks.

Furillo is in charge of the Hill Street Precinct and the focus of most episodes. He is honest and capable, though some of his colleagues find him a bit superior in attitude. Furillo joined the police force in 1964 and was a Lieutenant at Division prior to his promotion to Captain. Though he was the protege of Police Chief-to-be Daniels, Furillo often disagrees with Daniels on policy and generally has little respect for him. Frank is divorced from Fay Furillo, though he tolerates her regular tirades and helps her out as if they were still married. His relationship with Joyce Davenport, whom he affectionately calls "Counselor", is at first secret; by the end of Season 3, they are married. The majority of episodes end with them in bed, reviewing the events of the day. While on duty, Frank almost never appears in anything but a three-piece suit; one episode, Bald Ambition, has his colleagues astounded by his wearing a blazer. In the first season, Frank is revealed to be a recovering alcoholic.

Davenport works mainly as a public defender (though she was an Assistant District Attorney for five months in Season 5) and is an extremely successful and well-respected attorney. She is in a relationship with Capt. Furillo, whom she refers to as "Pizza Man" as a term of endearment (she first used the term on screen in Season 1, Episode 2). They originally met during a court trial when Furillo was a recently divorced Lieutenant; their first date was to a (free) classical music concert, followed by pizza. Though the relationship is initially hidden, Davenport reveals the relationship in Season 2 and they are married near the end of Season 3. They have no children, as she is unable to bear children (to the dismay of Furillo's mother).

Esterhaus is the Desk Sergeant, in charge of the uniformed officers, and is rarely seen outside of the station house. Each show opens with "Roll Call", Esterhaus's morning briefing, which always ends with his catchphrase "Let's be careful out there." His speech is filled with complex syntax and numerous synonyms, but his style of delivery is never patronizing and indeed is often enjoyed by the officers. While on duty, he maintains a professional demeanor, but has lost his temper in a few cases of extreme provocation (such as when his treasured Buick was stolen). He passed the lieutenant examination four times, but never advanced in rank - three times due to budget limitations, and the fourth without explanation. Despite, or perhaps because of, his professional and fatherly demeanor, he is pursued by numerous women. He is a divorcé, and nearly marries his 18-year-old girlfriend at the end of Season 1, until the appearance of his paramour Grace Gardner causes him to faint and call off the marriage. Three seasons later, Esterhaus dies during a romantic tryst with Grace Gardner; this served to cover for Michael Conrad's death due to urethral cancer on November 22, 1983.

An extremely capable undercover detective. He is small in stature but strong, wiry, and very fast. He is Jewish and often poses undercover as a Hasidic Jew. Belker likes to growl and to bite suspects (but only when they have attacked him first); he revealed that his father, a tailor who was also short of stature, tended to bite people during fights. Belker addresses friends and foes alike with insults such as "dog breath" or "hair bag", and will threaten them with violence (for example, to "rip out [their] kidneys" or collapse a lung) to keep them in line (his seldom-mentioned sister Luana shares the same style of speech); however, he is extremely loyal and respectful to Capt. Furillo and has an almost filial feeling towards Sergeant Esterhaus. Originally a loner, Belker has had relationships with women (none of which turned out successfully) and weds Officer Robin Tataglia in Season 6 and they have a son, whom they name Philip after Sergeant Esterhaus. Belker suffers the death of both his father (Season 3) and his beloved mother Rose (Season 6) during the course of the series. One of the most surprising relationships in Belker's life is his relationship in Season 3 with Eddie Gregg, a gay prostitute whom Belker originally arrests, then befriends; Eddie left town after first informing to Belker on his boyfriend, who had murdered some Peruvian drug dealers, then almost wrecking the case by warning the boyfriend that the police were after him, but returned in Season 6 to tell Belker that he (Eddie) was dying of AIDS.

Goldblume is often in charge of negotiating in hostage situations. In the early years especially, he is at odds with Howard Hunter, whose distinctly right-wing view of the world contrasts with his own. He is often the confidant of Captain Furillo, to the irritation of Lieutenant Calletano. He joined the police force in 1969 and was stationed at Jefferson Heights prior to his transfer to Hill Street. Though somewhat meek early on (emphasized by his wearing of a bow tie and his reluctance to draw his gun), he becomes more self-confident as the series progressed. At the beginning of the series, he is married with three children; however, after he is shot during an undercover operation, his wife—who did not want him working undercover—divorces him. In Season Four, Goldblume acted as Fay Furillo's labor coach, and briefly became her lover. He later fell head-over-heels for the wealthy widow of a mob boss, only to witness her cold-blooded murder during a dinner date. He had aspirations to become a writer during high school, and is convinced to write his memoirs in Season Seven following the tragic death of a former high school friend, who was also an aspiring writer.

Renko's partner, generally well-meaning and good-hearted. Previously stationed at Jefferson Heights. A trained boxer, he twice won Golden Gloves championships and also twice won the Metro Police Middleweight Championship, though his attempt to win a third middleweight championship ended when he was knocked out with one punch in the final match. He is briefly the vice-president of the Black Officers' Coalition. In Season 4, he wins $100,000 in the lottery and promptly loses almost all of it gambling. Unlike his partner, Hill does not aspire to plainclothes work. He and his partner are fiercely loyal to each other—though this is occasionally tested, as in the aftermath of their nearly fatal shooting in Season 1.

Partners with Bobby Hill, who calls him "Cowboy", even though he was born in New Jersey and had "never been west of Chicago in my life." He speaks with a Southern accent and rides a motorcycle when he's not in a squad car. He favors country music and, in the early seasons, was often shown wearing a Waylon Jennings baseball cap. He is known for his semi-serious braggadocio and cannot leave for his shift without his "morning sit-down" in the lavatory. Despite the occasional facetious racial comment, he considers Bobby Hill his closest friend and soulmate. He often addresses him as "Bobby Hill," rather than just Bobby. Renko aspires to become a detective, and has taken college courses towards that goal. In Season 4, he marries the former Daryl Ann McConnicke, and together they have a daughter, Laura Ann; unfortunately, the marriage collapses after affairs on both sides in Season 7.

In charge of the Emergency Action Team, Hunter loves to postulate and theorize about the degeneration of society. A decorated Marine and a veteran of the Vietnam War, Hunter tends to speak in an overly complex manner similar to Sergeant Esterhaus; however, unlike Sergeant Esterhaus, he rarely thinks about or seems to understand the consequences of some of the things he says, especially relating to racial or ethnic subjects/situations, and often comes across as extremely patronizing. Though a very capable officer and an expert in weaponry, his handling of many an inanimate object often results in comic situations. His attempts to acquire sophisticated weaponry (such as the PANDA "urban tank") often fail spectacularly and only serve to hinder his career ambitions (one such incident directly resulted in him being placed dead last on the captaincy list). Despite these mishaps, however, Hunter is held in high regard by almost everyone at Hill Street. He rarely sees eye to eye with Captain Furillo, believing that militaristic action is often the best solution to a situation, though he is bound by his loyalty to his superiors. Often he has tried to find female companionship, but he has never been able to keep a steady significant other. He joined the police department directly following his service in Vietnam, wearing badge 1146 in the Midtown Precinct; while there, he was compelled to serve as a bagman for dishonest officers, and the later revelation of that activity embarrassed Hunter to the point of attempting suicide. Initially a Sergeant, he is promoted to Lieutenant in Season 1. In Season 7, Hunter shows questionable judgement in a fatal off-duty shooting and is demoted to Sergeant (becoming the new Desk Sergeant, ending his Roll Call with a succinct "dismissed") before eventually being restored to Lieutenant and command of the EAT.

For much of the series, the sole female officer who is given story lines. An effective officer, she occasionally finds conflicts of conscience in her work. Though she tries to be "one of the boys," she is at times highly judgmental of her colleagues. Lucy is usually partnered with Joe Coffey, though they have somewhat of a love-hate relationship. After a brief stint as Desk Sergeant in Season 4 following the death of Esterhaus, she returned to motor patrol with the arrival of Sergeant Jablonski; she also assumed Desk Sergeant duties during emergencies and following the reinstatement of Hunter's lieutenancy near the end of the series. She eventually adopts a child, Fabian, the biological son of a drug-addicted mother.

A talented undercover officer whose great skills as a detective are constantly marred by his drinking, his womanizing and his get-rich-quick schemes (such as "Saloondromat"—a bar and laundry—and his promotion of narcoleptic comic Vic Hitler). His recurrent battles with alcoholism have put him at odds with recovering alcoholic Captain Furillo, to the extent that Furillo nearly had LaRue dismissed from the police force for arriving to a major undercover operation inebriated. Though his sobriety remains in check, he cannot resist scams, even after close brushes with Internal Affairs. LaRue is an inveterate practical joker, often targeting Hunter's paramilitary escapades. He regularly hurls insults at Belker.

A former football player whose career ended due to a knee injury, Washington is the frequent partner of LaRue. He is a very good undercover officer, respected by his captain. Though Washington admits that he learned almost "everything I know" about undercover from LaRue, LaRue's drinking, schemes and libido cause him no end of trouble. (He even feels compelled to remind LaRue on several occasions about the penalties for statutory rape.) Neal's trademarks are a toothpick in the side of his mouth and a habit of referring to everyone as "babe". His nickname for his partner is "Lover." When frustrated by LaRue, he usually turns his head and mutters "Ohh, maaaaann..." He develops a promising relationship with a young woman during the sixth season, only to be shot in the back by her pre-teen son during an argument.

Colombian-born, but a naturalized American citizen and former Marine, Calletano serves as Furillo's "right-hand man" (and Chief Daniels has recognized him as such). His fluency in Spanish often comes in handy, especially in dealing with Hispanic youth gangs such as the Diablos. Though he has reached the high rank of lieutenant, Ray's leadership abilities are sometimes called into question (even by Furillo himself), and Ray is jealous of the attention lavished by Furillo on Henry Goldblume. When he is eventually promoted to Captain of the Polk Avenue Precinct, his leadership problems follow him, and an explosion of racial tensions at Polk Avenue result in him being relieved of command and made an advisor to Chief Daniels. Ray often has uneasy conversations with Howard Hunter, the latter of whom uses occasional Spanish words to ingratiate himself to Ray. By the end of the series, Ray has resigned from the police and is instead providing Spanish-language training to the police.

A patrol officer who is partnered with Lucy Bates. Lucy is attracted to Joe, but is in constant judgment of his off-duty lifestyle, which she considers to be that of a "lounge lizard." Joe, a Vietnam veteran, is well-liked by his colleagues. Because of his large stature, he is usually the one chosen to break down doors when necessary. Coffey holds the unusual distinction of being killed twice during the course of the series; his first death was changed into a severe injury when the producers decided to make Coffey's character Bates' regular partner.

Frank's ex-wife. In early seasons, she made frequent visits to the precinct house to harangue Frank about things such as alimony, child support, the exploits of their son Frank Junior and her own life problems. As the series progressed (especially in Season 3 when, after one such harangue had begun, Furillo lost his temper with her and forced her to come to terms with the fact that since they were no longer married, she shouldn't keep coming to him for solutions and should take charge of her own life), she became less shrill and developed new life interests; she also became pregnant by Judge Paul Grogan and delivered a baby girl. She later became romantically involved with Goldblume and, to a lesser extent, Detective Garabaldi. Her relationship with Joyce Davenport (ex-wife to current wife) is rarely covered during the series, but after a rocky start after Furillo and Joyce's relationship became public (especially at one point when Frank Junior appeared to prefer Joyce to his mother), they seem to have come to an understanding. In his excited moments, when he is defending his ex-wife to a third party, Furillo will occasionally slip and refer to Fay as his wife. Her screen time was dramatically reduced, and ultimately eliminated without fanfare during the sixth season.

An "old school" cop who takes over from Sgt. Esterhaus after the latter's death. He is transferred from Polk Avenue after a physical altercation with a female officer, supplanting Bates as Desk Sergeant in the process. Well-respected by the men, though he does not inspire the emotional bond that Phil had. Lives alone expect for his dog, Blackie. Instead of urging his officers to "be careful out there," he encourages his people to "do it to them before they do it to us"; in Season 6, this is tempered to "They're getting away out there!" His angina progresses to a heart attack early in Season 7, requiring coronary artery bypass surgery and forcing him into retirement. Post-retirement, he continues to spend time with his former colleagues during their off duty hours and occasionally provides assistance when the opportunity arises.

A transferee from the Midtown Precinct, Garibaldi is willing to bend rules to make a bust. He spends his nights in law school classes, juggling his schedules so that he can complete law school in four years. Partners with Detective Mayo. Fatally stabbed in Season 6 while heavily in debt to loan sharks from gambling losses.

Much more "by the book" than her partner, Detective Garibaldi, and very defensive of her police practices. Made advances on the married Captain Furillo, who politely declined a romantic relationship. Chief Daniels became infatuated with her in Season 5 after reviewing a videotape of her being undressed by a predatory dentist; when Mayo rebuffed his advances, Daniels tried to have her kicked off the force, until Furillo intervened. Returned to Midtown at the beginning of Season 6.

Buntz is an effective officer and an excellent marksman, but he often cuts corners and uses questionable tactics. His manner is loud and full of as much profanity as television would allow at the time. On his first day on the Hill, he convinces a captain in another precinct to retire so that Ray can take his captaincy and leave and he, Buntz, can function more effectively in his new precinct. Buntz develops an uneasy relationship with Sid the Snitch. Due to his aggressive style, Buntz is frequently the target of internal investigations; in one case, a corrupt Internal Affairs investigator sets Buntz up, using Buntz's record to make the set-up appear real. In the last episode, he punches Chief Daniels - who had been publicly calling for his dismissal - in the face. Disgraced and unemployed, he moves to Beverly Hills, California with Sid and becomes a private investigator - the premise of the short-lived spin-off Beverly Hills Buntz. Buntz is very similar in character to Franz's previous character on Hill Street Blues, corrupt Detective Sal Benedetto of Midtown Vice.

Transfers to Hill Street in Season 7. Turned in his partner, an old friend of Lieutenant Buntz, earning his enmity. Romantically linked with Sgt. Bates and, later, Grace Gardner.

Transfers to Hill Street in Season 7. Works undercover and is accused of exchanging sexual favors for information. Mentored by Belker.

Other characters

Though he has many men under him, the Chief seems to pay special attention to Frank. Daniels respects Furillo's integrity, though it often frustrates him, as it interferes with what he considers effective policy. Several times he accuses Frank of disloyalty. Though not corrupt, Daniels is an opportunist with very little conscience. He is also known to let racial epithets and inappropriate jokes slip out, though rarely with any consequences. He finds a kindred spirit in Howard Hunter, though Hunter is not within the Chief's inner echelon. Formerly an Inspector and the Captain of the 23rd Precinct before becoming Chief.

Originally introduced as the commander of the powerful Midtown Precinct, Cleveland was also the president of the Black Officers' Coalition, and he nominated Bobby Hill to the vice-presidency of the BOC. When mayoral candidate Councilman Benjamin Fisk accidentally kills himself ten days before the election, Cleveland enters the race and - assisted by Fletcher Daniels' mishandling of a police shooting and Deputy Chief Mahoney's last-minute revelations of Daniels' role in trying to cover up that shooting - wins election in a landslide. He has a particular hatred of drug dealers - having grown up constantly exposed to them in a poor area of the city - and invests significant political capital in "Operation Stop 'n' Cop", a sweep operation that nearly costs Furillo his command. Cleveland's own son, Lee, is revealed to be a junkie; while Ozzie wants Lee out of his life, his wife Leona still supports him. Cleveland later survives an assassination attempt engineered by former Captain Jerry Fuchs.

The "khaki" officer in charge of booking. He wears glasses, is somewhat overweight, and is in a rather unhappy marriage. Leo attempts to save a drug addict named Rico, staying with him in a jail cell until he gets straight, but Rico eventually relapses. After his wife leaves him, Leo loses quite a bit of weight and later on elopes to New Zealand with the female "khaki" officer.

The widow of Chief of Detectives Sam Gardner, Grace is hired to improve the appearance of the Hill Street stationhouse and immediately falls for Phil Esterhaus. Her erotic desires seem to know no end and, even in public, she sometimes appears to be restraining the throes of passion. Briefly partnered with Hunter before returning to Esterhaus. Esterhaus eventually expires while in her bed, and she becomes a nun. Unable to avoid the temptations of the flesh, she leaves the nunnery and becomes a field representative for a condom company.

Introduced as the warlord of the Diablos youth gang, Martinez often works with Furillo if he can gain an advantage for himself. Serves time in jail after he uses a government grant to play the futures market, loses all the money, and tries to recoup his losses by stealing the police payroll. He renounces his gang colors after his marriage, enrolls in law school (using forged documents), and becomes a paralegal, though he still remains an advisor of sorts for Furillo.

Introduced as the Captain in charge of Vice when it was based out of the Midtown Precinct. He is a tough cop with a New York accent, and was a former "drinking buddy" of Furillo before Furillo swore off alcohol. Fuchs is not well respected by his superiors or his officers, who consider being under Fuchs' command a license to do anything they want. His department was found to be pervasively corrupt, leading to its dissolution; Fuchs quit rather than be fired and instead set up his own private investigation firm. Fuchs attempts to kill Mayor Cleveland and then suffers a heart attack while trying to flee to Saint Louis, Missouri; he dies in the hospital.

Introduced as a sleazy and unscrupulous attorney who occasionally hangs around the Hill Street precinct, Wachtel attended law school with Joyce Davenport, where he was one of the best students in the class. After a period of wearing dresses to "explore his gender identity", he eventually becomes a judge courtesy of political patronage and, after a rough start, quickly becomes tired and somewhat cynical.

A superhero want-to-be who crosses paths with Belker on several occasions. He gives inspirational speeches to Belker about society and the power of the human mind, though they are invariably followed by a statement that reveals him to be insane. Killed when he attempts to intervene in an armed robbery of a bar set up for a police investigation.

Often faces off against Joyce Davenport in court. Recruited Davenport to the District Attorney's office in Season 5. Known to refer to himself as "Mrs. Bernstein's son" when making a point. In Season 6, Bernstein is part of Captain Furillo's commission on corruption, which secures indictments against more than three dozen officers and lays blame on Chief Daniels as well. He confesses his attraction to Joyce Davenport and kisses her in Season 7. Leaves Hill Street in the last episode for a private practice in Los Angeles.

Originally transferred to Hill Street in Season 2. Ingratiated herself to Detective Belker when she agreed to accompany him on visits to his incapacitated father. Pursued an on-again, off-again relationship with Belker until becoming pregnant by him in Season 6 and marrying him later that season.

Previous character of Dennis Franz, the corrupt Detective from Midtown Vice is famous for three events: blindsiding Renko in a backstreet brawl, being beaten up by Hill in revenge, and committing suicide in a bank's safe-deposit area when his corruption is discovered (after one of his schemes nearly gets Washington killed).

A street cop who is generally well-liked by the other members of the precinct. He speaks both English and Spanish fluently. In the episode "Doris in Wonderland", he shoots a child in an apartment whom he mistakes to be a prowler. His recovery from the tragedy is slow and painful.

Widow of a mobster and paramour to Lieutenant Goldblume, Gina was shot by an assassin for acting as a police informant and died in Goldblume's arms. She left Goldblume $1.1 million, from which Goldblume received $80,000 after settling encumbrances with the IRS.

Ally to Lieutenant Norman Buntz; originally seen in the company of LaRue, Washington, and Belker in an undercover operation, after which he was arrested. Despite the fact that he interacts with dangerous criminals, Sid is most often a comic character, annoying his associates on both sides of the law with his grating, overly-loquacious manner. Sid wears loud clothing and is constantly broke and seeking any amount of money from Hill Street officers in exchange for information. He speaks in a roundabout manner, one apparently designed to lightly disguise descriptions of illegal activity, though he fools no one.

A junior member of the Diablos youth gang, Ruiz on three separate occasions takes hostages in an attempt to better his position. Frank and Joyce frequently intercede in hopes of saving him from a life of crime. Unfortunately, when Ruiz takes mayoral candidate Benjamin Fisk hostage in retaliation for not being named head of the Diablos (while Jesus Martinez was in jail), Ruiz is shot and killed by an EAT sharpshooter.

A part of a three-episode story arc in the third season, Vic Hitler is arrested for excessive fines in parking tickets. He quickly reveals himself to be a stand-up comic of the "old school," with rapid fire one-liners that send the Hill Street cops into stitches. After many failures (due to Vic's insistence on using the Hitler name), LaRue finally manages to get Vic an engagement at a disreputable nightclub. Vic is initially a success, only to then reveal – unintentionally, in mid-performance – that he is a narcoleptic.

A no-nonsense judge who presides over numerous arraignments. He is impatient of what he feels to be baseless arrests. Oberman can also be merciful without being sentimental. He is balding with thick glasses and bushy eyebrows, and has a generally judicial demeanor.

A judge often seen at arraignments. Similar to Oberman in his approach to procedure, though somewhat more irascible. He is slightly disheveled looking, often wearing an ordinary shirt under his robe. He is a football fan and he once called a recess so that he and Joyce could watch the end of a football game in his office. Despite his friendliness with her, however, he once publicly and with vitriol berated her from the bench for what he thought was improper conduct.

A white-haired, bow-tie wearing judge with a reputation for harsh sentencing ("Heads-Will-Roll Cole"). To the shock of the Hill Street cops, however, Cole is caught picking up a payoff from a bus station locker and also accepting a bribe. He is forced to resign in disgrace and it is mentioned, almost in passing, that he commits suicide not long afterward.

A tough, high-ranking officer who often supervises Furillo. Though Furillo is loyal to the department, he is always hesitant to carry out the policies of Briscoe when he feels Briscoe is merely trying to spare the department embarrassment or, alternately, gain some good publicity for the department. Furillo's actions tend to work out better in the end than what Briscoe proposed; nevertheless, Briscoe views Furillo as arrogant and self-righteous. He is loyal to the chief, though nowhere near as cynical.

A pickpocket and purveyor of stolen merchandise who is frequently arrested by Belker. Apart from in his last appearance, he gives Belker a fake name, usually a comical one which refers to his merchandise. When in possession of stolen skiing equipment, for instance, he claims to be named Jean-Claude Killy; when arrested with stolen golf equipment, he claims his name was Sam Snead. Shot and killed in Season 4; he died in Belker's arms.

Famous for appearing almost randomly, opening his trenchcoat, and yelling, "I'm Buck NEKKID!" So frequently did he make this exclamation that he was once booked as "Buck Naked". Known to prefer turkey dinners, as ham "disconveniences (his) stomach".

Gangs in Hill Street Blues

Gang culture was a feature in all seven seasons beginning with the first episode. Several storylines related to gang life, and the different approaches to negotiation, in particular by officers such as Furillo, Goldblume, Hunter, and to a lesser extent those of the uniform or plain clothes detective ranks.

Interactions included multiple gang meetings held at the precinct to negotiate "turf" boundaries and truces in exchange for facilitating a presidential visit that did not come to pass or the return of a governor's pet dog. The gang/police meetings more often formed part of the comic rather than the dramatic elements of the series.

Gang interactions mostly centered around the Hispanic gang Los Diablos, and the fragile, but productive and increasingly trusting, relationship between its leaders, Martinez and Furillo, who even attends Martinez' wedding. Martinez, the only gang character given any extended development, moves through the series from early and relapsing belligerence, to negotiation, to finally renouncing his gang colors and qualifying as a paralegal.

David Caruso had a recurring role as Tommy Mann, the leader of a rival Irish street gang named the Shamrocks, in the early years of the series.

Danny Glover had an early career appearance in the first four episodes of season two as Jesse John Hudson, erstwhile leader of the Black Arrows, whose stated aim to "go straight" turned out to be hypocritical, when he attempted to take back control of the gang.