Badge Cut Guides Four made-for-television movies were produced during the 199495 season, which was supposedly the continuation of the series. "Vidge" Trundel. Employment Cynthia Deming and William J. Royce were made main story editors. Simpson, the man who nearly played Virgil Tibbs. History [ edit] Sparta was once home to two churches and a school. The season ends with Bill and Harriet forced to confront the impending execution of Harriet's ex-husband and Eugene's disapproval of their relationship. Sparta Police Department There were two Spartas. Why was Joe Don Baker on In the Heat of the Night? The Sparta Police Department is located at 200 North Avenue in the Sparta Municipal Building. Water/Sewer Emergency During the last four episodes of the season, Joe Don Baker was brought in as Tom Dugan, a replacement for Chief Gillespie, who was said to be away at a police training conference at Quantico. Tony Scali is the Police Commissioner in a small town, where solutions to difficult situations often require considerable creativity. - Hydrogen peroxide After the pilot, however, she ordered scripts from her writers. Season one was filmed on location in the small town of Hammond, Louisiana. Please call 911 in case of an emergency, or (417)242-5511 for non-emergencies. She complained to Carroll O'Connor about it, and he had to admit she was right. Sparta Police Department 260 W. Division St. Sparta, MI 49345 Phone: (616) 887-8716 Fax: (616) 887-7681 Email: Police Chief Office Hours: Monday 12 Pm - 6 PM Tuesday 9 AM - 3 PM Wednesday 9 AM - 3 PM Thursday 9 AM - 3 PM Friday 9 AM - 3 PM Saturday & Sunday - Closed Emergencies Please call 911 Dispatch Contact: (616) 887-7331 The cases and adventures of the police forces in and around Sparta, Mississippi. TGG Direct released the first season on DVD in Region 1 on August 30, 2012. Thomas Clayton was appointed by the Mayor and City Council as the Chief of Police in March of 2020 after serving as Interim Chief since 2019, and as a Corporal in the Patrol Division. The canine program was initially funded through a federal grant intended to promote crime reduction in rural areas. An attractive divorce, Harriet was college-educated (an Alpha Kappa Alpha member), outspoken, and brimming with attitude, which was a turn-off to Gillespie at first and the two of them did not get along. Althea, Ainslee's boss, had an uneasy relationship with him from the outset because he had trouble handling her authority, and it culminated in the attack. If you have any additional questions please contact the Sparta Police Department at 616-887-8716. . O'Connor wanted the chief to undergo heart surgery in the storyline, but the husband and wife producers came up with this storyline instead. Only O'Connor and director Leo Penn knew the truth during filming. While still serving as a deputy sheriff, he joined the Sparta Police Department in 2002, where his skills and duties found him being promoted rank of Sergeant. She is killed her first day on duty in a shootout with a drug dealer and murder suspect, causing Gillespie despair and guilt. The Criminal Investigations Division also serves in a variety of additional functions including Crime Prevention & Analysis, Property & Evidence Custodian, Evidence Detection, and Property Coordinator, as well as all aspects department training. A deal was made with rival network CBS to keep the show on the air. Phone:(616) 887-8716 However, due to licensing issues, the following episodes are missing from the box set: Brotherly Love, Shine On Sparta Moon, Sweet, Sweet Blues, Sanctuary, Law On Trial. Thursday 9 AM - 3 PM EPoliceSupply.com 766 Falmouth Road Suite B10 Mashpee, MA 02649. As sheriff he would continue to work closely with the Sparta police department and his former colleagues in the department. Sort of. Police officers face some pretty special challenges to themselves and their families. He usually has a serious and straightforward personality, with a dry humor that always fits the moment, and he is an amiable and friendly person overall. Filter. It isn't until the arrival of Chief Hampton Forbes (Carl Weathers) in Season 7 that we see Sheriff McComb and Chief Gillespie as friends again. Lonnie eventually rises to the rank of Lieutenant and Acting Chief of Detectives. Finally, in "Dangerous Engagement", Gillespie and DeLong tie the knot at the same sanctuary involved in the "Sanctuary" case from Season 5. I dont want to come back and dont ask me. Ball would go on to writesixmore Tibbs novels, plus four short stories. Votes: 5,568. The Sparta Police Department is dedicated to serving all citizens by responding to calls for police service, enforcing state and local laws, including city ordinances, conducting preventative patrol activities, performing criminal investigations, promoting traffic safety, and apprehending criminal and traffic offenders. Dr. Frank "Doc" Robb, physician and medical examiner (Season 28), District Attorney Gerard Darnelle (Seasons 38), Eugene Glendon, Harriet DeLong's teenage son (Seasons 47). Quality ServiceWe will provide quality, professional service to our community by: IntegrityHaving sound moral principles that earn the trust, respect, and confidence of the community and each other through: FairnessTo provide equal treatment of all persons without prejudice or bias by: CommunicationSharing information and knowledge with the community, other agencies, and within our department as allowed by law through: Helpful AttitudeA helpful attitude is fundamental to earning the respect and confidence of the community. The episodes where Gillespie was away were "Fifteen Forever", "Ladybug, Ladybug", "The Pig Woman of Sparta" and "Missing". 5. 37. We will accomplish this by: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Like the original movie, the television series also took place in a fictionalized version of Sparta, Mississippi. Season 2 premiered on December 4, 1988, due to a writers' strike; the season introduced a new look and set of executive producers, Jeri Taylor and her husband David Moessinger, with on-location shooting moved from Louisiana to Covington, Georgia, which remained as the primary filming location of the show for the duration of the series. Through the hard work of Sparta Councilwoman Harriet DeLong, Tibbs is able to retire and keep his city pension, although he was two months shy of the qualifying period. The last novel wasSingapore,published a year before the series began. excluding holidays. Officers volunteer to be part of the Unit and perform most of the same functions as their motorized counterparts. However, it was eventually picked up for a full 22-episode order. He begins practicing law when he accepts a position in Ben Taylor's law office. At the time, Poitier was best known as the first black performer to win an Academy Award for Best Actor (forLilies Of The Field). The Sparta Police Department is located at 200 North Avenue in the Sparta Municipal Building. Our high quality Sparta, Mississippi Police Department Patches are professionally printed and perfect to sew onto backpacks, jackets and more to give them some unique personality. (Seasons 3, 5). Mayor Findlay himself has an ulterior motive for hiring Tibbs: he wants to have some kind of record on civil rights to run for Congress, and hiring Tibbs to integrate the all-white Sparta police department would help to overcome the local squad's reputation of being racist and underskilled and it also benefits him. Personalized; Categories Sparta, Mississippi Police Department Patches. [3], Company H of the 13th Mississippi Infantry (known as "The Spartan Band") was enlisted at Sparta on March 23, 1861. Gillespie once referred to her as "The Dragon Lady". A proud father and grandfather, when not serving the community, Thomas can be found surrounded by family, or working on his hobby, restoring vintage automobiles. However, Gillespie is soon appointed as the acting Sheriff of Newton County when Nathan McComb suffers a heart attack and is too ill to continue his duties. The patrol is commanded by Nasser Thompkins. In the early years, the police department and fire department were joint services with officers trained to enforce the law and combat fires. The officer/K-9 partnerships provide the Community with an additional resource for fighting crime or enhancing public service through the canines superior senses. The character of Joanne St. John was eliminated to make room for Sparta city Councilwoman Harriet DeLong (Denise Nicholas) as Chief Gillespie's future love interest, first as a recurring character, then later, as a main cast member. - Narcotics and other controlled substances The council selects Hampton Forbes (Carl Weathers) to take Gillespie's place. He retires from the MPD to become the new Police Chief in Sparta. For example, the TV Sparta is situated along Interstate 20, while the real town is nowhere near any interstate. 8. The cast members would also go around to local schools to speak to students. [citation needed]. Sparta Police Reports include an individual's entire criminal history record and are accessible from Government Agencies in Sparta, Wisconsin. Screenwriter Stirling Silliphantadapted Balls novel for the screen in 1967, changing the setting to Sparta and moving Tibbs from the Pasadena P.D. Fax:(616) 887-7681 Police Department As Sparta Police moves forward and tries to simplify our goals in the future in what sometimes can be as I said, a very complex job, we are committed to doing the following three things: We will continue to be vigilant and proactive in locking up people who break the law, especially those people who victimize others. Saturday & Sunday - Closed The Criminal Investigations Division is responsible for the follow-up investigation of all crimes which occurs within the city limits and coordinates with other local, and state law enforcement agencies when criminal acts cross jurisdictional boundaries. MGM worked around his rehab schedule. Dream Guy. Free Returns 100% Satisfaction Guarantee Fast Shipping (844) 988-0030. The prisoner is later shot to death in a standoff with the sheriff's department. He becomes interim County Sheriff after the previous Sheriff becomes too ill to continue his duties. The Sparta Police Departments core values are the preservation of human life, integrity, professionalism, and service. She herself was born and raised in Philadelphia and had never been south before the death of her mother-in-law. Some of those appearing in In the Heat of the Night episodes were: Future Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman stars, Helene Udy, William Shockley and Chad Allen made guest appearances. The Village of Sparta maintains its own police department which provides policing serivces 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Junior is a young and inexperienced policeman who often is chastised by Detective Tibbs or Chief Gillespie for not knowing proper police procedure. Baker was brought in as a stand-in for Carroll O'Connor while O'Connor was recovering from open-heart surgery. The series ran on the network until May 19, 1992, then was shown on CBS until its finale after an eighth season, on May 16, 1995. Joined the cast in the final season as Police Chief Hampton Forbes. Youve breached the contract. Only when executive producer Juanita Bartlett left did OConnor return. The season premiere was aired as a two-hour TV movie originally entitled "The Voodoo Murders", now known in syndication as "Don't Look Back". Dee Shepard onITHOTNfor five years,Dee Shawbought property in Covington. Sparta Police Department 260 W. Division St. Sparta, MI 49345 Phone: (616) 887-8716 Fax: (616) 887-7681 Email: Police Chief Office Hours: Monday 12 Pm - 6 PM Tuesday 9 AM - 3 PM Wednesday 9 AM - 3 PM Thursday 9 AM - 3 PM Friday 9 AM - 3 PM Saturday & Sunday - Closed Emergencies Please call 911 Dispatch Contact: (616) 887-7331 Steiger took home the Best Actor Oscar for his performance,one of five the film won (including Best Picture). Ten years earlier, her real-life sister had been murdered and the culprit had never been caught. By the time Denise Nicholas becomes a series regular, Harriet and Gillespie are romantically involved, much to the disapproval of her son, Eugene, and others in Sparta who are opposed to interracial relationships. After playing Cpl. Police Staff Father DiMarco's heartfelt summation to the jury contributes to the case being dismissed (though that is not revealed until the start of Season 6). When wealthy Sparta, Mississippi factory owner, Philip Colbert, is found murdered, Sparta Police Chief Bill Gillespie's (Rod Steiger) prime suspect is Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier), a black man found waiting for a train, until he learns that Detective Tibbs is actually the number one homicide expert in the Philadelphia Police Department.During a time in 1967 during which the Deep South was . CafePress brings your passions to life with the perfect item for every occasion. Chief Forbes serves as best man. William Schallert, who played Mayor Schubert in the original 1967 film, also made an appearance on the show in Season 4. (The role of Maybelle was initially played by Diane Ladd in Season 3's "Home Is Where The Heart Is".) Call (800) 789-0000 Fax (617) 769-0700 Hours: 9AM to 4:45PM EST. [2] A post office operated under the name Sparta from 1850 to 1905. One of the many facets of Lonnie's character is a fierce, never-give-up loyalty to his friends. Creator James Lee Barrett (developed for television by) Stars Carroll O'Connor Alan Autry David Hart See production, box office & company info Watch on Freevee S1-7 Watch Free on Freevee More watch options Add to Watchlist Added by 9.2K users 36 User reviews When Virgil came back to Philadelphia after his last visit he could hardly talk about anything else, Althea says to Gillespie. In The Heat Of The Nightlives on. He considered suicide shortly before Christmas 1989, prompting his stay in rehab. Reset. Design Type All. The chief is now good friends with her mother, Georgia Farren, played by actress Stella Stevens. Culbreth appeared on nine episodes as Sheriff McComb. and Brandon Tartikoff (head of NBC) was pleased with O.J, OConnor recalled. He began his career in Georgia Law Enforcement in 1978 with the Georgia Department of Corrections, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant. Joe Don Baker (Walking Tall) stepped in as acting chief Tom Dugan. The first season was filmed in Hammond, Louisiana. . Sparta is a populated place located within the Supervisor District 2, a minor civil division (MCD) of Chickasaw County. If we can be of help to you, we can be reached through the department. There were no soundstages in Covington, so producers retrofitted two warehouses for standing sets like the police station. The season finale "Missing" has the chief being kidnapped upon his return to Sparta by two men in pig masks, and the police and the FBI are trying to locate him and those responsible. They want an investigation, which is upsetting and hurtful for Harriet. Since CTU members bring a unique skill set to their individual agencies they are often called upon for their expertise to resolve situations where the entire CTU is not needed. He suffered from pain and nausea as a result of his cancer treatment and surgeries and became . BONUS! In 2010,In The Heat Of The Nightwas adapted for the stage. 201 W. Oak Street, Sparta, WI 54656. But they wouldnt let me change anything, he said. P.O.S.T. The City of Sparta retains the title of "Bicycling Capital of America" and it's only fitting that the police department utilize bicycles as part of its overall policing strategy. The K-9 Unit also serves as a means to promote the Sparta Police Department through demonstrations and other community relation events. The Patrol Division has the responsibility of being the first responders to all calls for police service within the city limits of Sparta. O'Connor received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, and Rollins the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, his second. When Carroll O'Connor approached Nicholas about the storyline, it had upset her greatly and she had to write him a note explaining the situation, as he was unaware of the circumstances. Give us a call. The department is involved in various programs and officers have the opportunity to participate in special assignments including the Monroe County Combined Tactical Unit, School Resource Officer, and Bicycle Patrol Unit. They have a son named Eric from their illicit affair. Virgil Tibbs returns from Jackson with his juris doctor which explains his absence in his new capacity as attorney in three episodes ("Virgil Tibbs: Attorney At Law", "Good Cop, Bad Cop", "Conspiracy of One") and assists the Sparta P.D. In the pilot, Virgil and his wife Althea (Anne-Marie Johnson) come to Sparta for the funeral of Virgils mother. The drop off location is in the lobby of the Sparta Police Department at 260 W. Division St. Sparta, MI 49345. She moves back to Philadelphia with their twins to be near her parents. Joe Don Baker(Walking Tall) stepped in as acting chief Tom Dugan. The series ignores the sequels, except for Virgils twins, who were created for the movies and are born in season four. Sign up for the newsletter to get the latest updates about getTV. 2. The program in Sparta began in 2004. The Bicycle Patrol Unit has quickly become one of the most effective methods for policing city festivals, concerts in the park, and various parades throughout the year. Sparta Police Department is administered and headed by the Chief of Police, Chief Thomas Clayton. It starred Emmy winner Carroll O'Connor as police chief Bill Gillespie and Emmy and Oscar-nominated actor Howard Rollins as police detective Virgil Tibbs, and was broadcast on NBC from March 6, 1988, until May 19, 1992, then on CBS from October 28, 1992, until May 16, 1995. And addressing that became a much larger element in our thinking about the show. The Patrol Division is comprised of sworn peace officers, certified through the Georgia Peace Officer Training Council (P.O.S.T.). Patrolling from a bicycle affords officers the opportunity to interact with the public, promote bicycle safety, and gain access to areas where police cruisers cannot go. Did you know the Village of Sparta provides a Safe Prescription Drug Drop-Off program to the community? William and Sarah Tibbs were welcomed into the world on September 18, 1990. "Whether they are angry at each other, whether they're happy or sad, we're showing the interaction of two men who are trying to do the best in life. Hot tempered, Eversole had a great deal of difficulty maintaining steady employment. Rollins would return occasionally as a guest star, while Johnson took a starring role on the final season of Fox's sketch comedy series In Living Color. [10] The movies were: Carroll's son and series cast member Hugh O'Connor died by suicide nearly two months before the fourth film aired. Email: Police Chief Aside from Tibbs, Sweet is one of the first black men to join Sparta's police force. The 1992 win was specifically for the Season 5 episode, "Sweet, Sweet Blues". Many conflicts arose between Juanita Bartlett and series star Carroll O'Connor over the writing of the series. The series was cancelled (again) after season seven, only to return (again) for an eighth season of four TV movies. Harriet's son Eugene once again finds himself at odds with the police, endangering his parole trying to help a friend. After graduating from Hancock Central. 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