Season one was filmed on location in the small town of Hammond, Louisiana. We came back with a renewed vigor but also with the realization that there is still a lot more to be done. Gillespie finds a new post of equivalent authority as county sheriff. The season opens with a two-hour movie entitled "Brotherly Love" and the birth of Virgil and Althea's twins. After playing Cpl. 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. By clicking SIGN UP, I certify that I am a United States resident, I agree to receive email updates from Game Show Network, I acknowledge that my information will be handled and used by Game Show Network in accordance with the Game Show Network Privacy Policy, and I agree to such handling and use by Game Show Network. After the first black woman to join the force, Officer Christine Rankin, died in the line of duty on her first day on the job, Corbin is recruited to take her place. [5] Carroll O'Connor threatened to sue a tabloid which published a story saying that MGM and Carroll had fired Rollins for being absent from the set due to his problems. Originally, CBS opted to pick up the series for only a set of six two-hour movies. [2] O'Connor described Bartlett as a very arrogant person. Rod Steiger was cast as Gillespie and Sidney Poitier took on the role of Tibbs, with Norman Jewison directing. [5] He missed five episodes: "King's Ransom", "Triangle", "Hello In There", "December Days", and "An Angry Woman". There was an emphasis on grisly murders or other crimes, rather than the lives of the New South-era characters, for which the series later became known. The elevation of Sparta is 335 feet. Burgess Meredith (in one of his last acting roles) also appears as an eccentric judge overseeing a case (he would return for a brief cameo in Season 7.). There were no soundstages in Covington, so producers retrofitted two warehouses for standing sets like the police station. He is a very perceptive character. However, it was eventually picked up for a full 22-episode order. The canine program was initially funded through a federal grant intended to promote crime reduction in rural areas. Request a Service The first season was filmed in Hammond, Louisiana. Harriet's son Eugene once again finds himself at odds with the police, endangering his parole trying to help a friend. Today, the K-9 unit is funded entirely by donation. The show dealt with a variety of issues, including racism, police brutality, interracial relationships, hate crimes, drug trafficking, drug addiction, alcoholism, AIDS, misogyny, incest, child abuse, sexual harassment, euthanasia, anti-Semitism, political corruption, prostitution, domestic violence, mental disorders, dysfunctional families, suicide, capital punishment, poverty, and drunk driving. Joe Don Baker(Walking Tall) stepped in as acting chief Tom Dugan. Joining the Hancock County Sheriffs Office in 1998, he served in both the detention and patrol divisions, becoming a shift supervisor and Corporal. 8. We assist officers in lots of tragic circumstances in the community such as fatal accidents, suicides and death notifications. CafePress brings your passions to life with the perfect item for every occasion. In the episode "Ches and the Grand Lady", Bobby Short reprises his role as Ches Collins, the blues musician from "Sweet, Sweet Blues" in Season 5. They had no relationship while Lana was growing up. Employment LuAnn often drove Gillespie around and was the go-between for him and Harriet before the two of them went public with their relationship. The prisoner is later shot to death in a standoff with the sheriff's department. The episode and the season end with both Gillespie and Tibbs awaiting the verdict in their respective residences the evening the case is given to the jury. The series was cancelled (again) after season seven, only to return (again) for an eighth season of four TV movies. - Personal care products UGA star Jalen Carter responds after police say he was racing another car that crashed. Officers assigned to the CTU are required to attend monthly training sessions and participate in extended tactical exercises. Saturday & Sunday - Closed O'Connor selected "Rape" to kick off Season 3 instead because he thought it was more powerful and would attract higher ratings. [3] Company H of the 13th Mississippi Infantry (known as "The Spartan Band") was enlisted at Sparta on March 23, 1861. (The role of Maybelle was initially played by Diane Ladd in Season 3's "Home Is Where The Heart Is".) He offered to have her not appear in the episode, but she chose to do so to bring closure for her and her family. In the early years, the police department and fire department were joint services with officers trained to enforce the law and combat fires. 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. Corbin was the second African-American female officer recruited to join the Sparta, Mississippi police department after the Christine Rankin - the first such officer - died in the line of duty on her first day on the job. Sparta, Mississippi In the NBC/CBS television series In the Heat of the Night, Tibbs is a native of Sparta, Mississippi who left the South and became a police detective in Philadelphia. Free Returns High Quality Printing Fast Shipping (844) 988-0030 The theme song, "In the Heat of the Night," was originally recorded by Quincy Jones, with Ray Charles on vocals and piano for the movie. Shop Sparta Police Chief Cap designed by LawrenceMercantile. Other highlights from the season include a faded country music singer (Robert Goulet) who ends up committing murder; the reconciliation between Gillespie and his estranged daughter Lana; and a two-part episode directed by Larry Hagman involves a white supremacist politician whose visit to Sparta has a couple of ulterior motives, including aspirations for a presidential run ("The Leftover Man"). The chief is now good friends with her mother, Georgia Farren, played by actress Stella Stevens. Many conflicts arose between Juanita Bartlett and series star Carroll O'Connor over the writing of the series. - Empty medication containers He retires from the MPD to become the new Police Chief in Sparta. The show previously aired on TNT from 1995 to 2005. The transition from Gillespie being in charge to Forbes taking over is slightly uneasy at the very start, but soon things smooth out. (requests for police assistance, file a complaint of a criminal nature, or report a vehicle accident, etc. Call (800) 789-0000 Fax (617) 769-0700 Hours: 9AM to 4:45PM EST. The Patrol Division has the responsibility of being the first responders to all calls for police service within the city limits of Sparta. He considered suicide shortly before Christmas 1989, prompting his stay in rehab. From that point on, he brought aboard writers and showrunners who shared his vision of where he wanted the series to go. For example, the TV Sparta is situated along Interstate 20, while the real town is nowhere near any interstate. Hot tempered, Eversole had a great deal of difficulty maintaining steady employment. Last edited on 22 February 2023, at 22:31, List of In the Heat of the Night episodes, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Drama Series, "Carroll O'Connor Putting The Heat To 'The Night', "In the Heat of the Night's Eerie Parallels to Her Sister's Murder Allow Actress Denise Nicholas to Finally Conquer Her Grief", "O'Connor to Sue Tabloid for Rollins Story", "In the Heat of the Night: Sweet, Sweet Blues Season 5, Episode 8", "The Civil Rights Experience of novelist Denise Nicholas inspired her artistry", "Howard Rollins In Seclusion, His Acting Career In Jeopardy", "In The Heat of the Night Complete Season 8 (The Final Season)", "Carroll O'Connor's Son Kills Himself at 33", "In the Heat of the Night: The First Season", In the Heat of the Night: The Complete Eighth Season: Carroll O'Connor, Carl Weathers, Alan Autry, David Hart, Hugh O'Connor, Crystal Fox, Denise Nicholas, In the Heat of the Night DVD news: Announcement for In the Heat of the Night 24 Hour Television Marathon | TVShowsOnDVD.com, Amazon.com: In The Heat of the Night Season 4: Carroll O'Connor, Alan Autry, David Hart, Hugh O'Connor, Howard E. Rollins Jr., Geoffrey Thorne: Movies & TV, Amazon.com: In The Heat of The Night Season 5: Carroll O'Connor, Alan Autry, David Hart, Hugh O'Connor, Howard E. Rollins Jr., Geoffrey Thorne: Movies & TV, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=In_the_Heat_of_the_Night_(TV_series)&oldid=1141010862, Starred in the lead role of William O. In 1994, he rises to the rank of Senior Sergeant. 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. The Sparta Police Department serves a population of over 9,500 residents, with 21 sworn officers, one code enforcement officer, and two non-sworn administrative assistants. EPoliceSupply.com 766 Falmouth Road Suite B10 Mashpee, MA 02649. Gillespie once referred to her as "The Dragon Lady". "Bill" Gillespie. His character was eliminated when Thorne chose to exit the show after the sixth season ended and his departure is never mentioned or explained. - Needles or other sharp objects The total City Population for Sparta is about 125 with about people per square mile, and the larger Metro Area Population is about 1,749. It was the final straw in a long line of complaints; these producers were fired at the end of the season, with O'Connor becoming the executive producer for season three and beyond. In the midst of all this, Harriet's son Eugene is a witness to a drive-by shooting involving rival drug gangs. Sparta Police Department [4] Randall Franks and Alan Autry co-produced the cast CD Christmas Time's A Comin' for Sonlite and MGM/UA, featuring the entire cast and a host of music stars. In addition, a contemporary TV reboot is in the works from writer-producer Joe Robert Cole. Ainslee invades Virgil and Althea's home during this time and attempts to attack Althea again, but Althea fights back and Ainslee is arrested. In the 7th season, McComb becomes too ill to continue his duties, and Gillespie is appointed as acting sheriff in his place. The communications section is the City of Spartas Emergency Services Dispatchers. These installations provide access to advanced training facilities that include live fire shoot houses and the High-Risk Entry Facility. (Seasons 37), Roy Eversole, Parker Williams' step-father. At first somewhat resentful of Virgil Tibbs, Gillespie later becomes very close to Virgil and the rest of the Tibbs family. Lana Farren also makes one final appearance as Bill's daughter in the Hagman-directed episode "A Love Lost", in which he must protect her from a former boyfriend who is involved in a gun-running scheme with someone in Sparta. After graduating from Hancock Central. 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). Gillespie is not in the second film, nor are the actions ofITHOTNreferenced. Dispatch Contact: (616) 887-7331 Sparta Police Department is administered and headed by the Chief of Police, Chief Thomas Clayton. Her replacement was Officer LuAnn Corbin, played by Crystal R. Fox. 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. [4] Soldiers from this company served with the Army of Northern Virginia in many battles, including First Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, and the Appomattox campaign.[5]. 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. Sparta, Mississippi Rod Steiger Junior Wells Dapper Dan Police Chief Stars At Night Dream Guy Mister #Howard Rollins Jr. was best known for his role on "In The Heat of the Night" as Virgil Tibbs. The program in Sparta began in 2004. Chief Forbes serves as best man. If he liked you, he really liked you and would be there for you."[6]. Plots in this season included Gillespie witnessing the execution of a man whom he arrested years ago, an episode that Carroll O'Connor wrote himself under the pseudonym Matt Harris ("A Trip Upstate"). 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. No relationship while Lana was growing up years, the K-9 sparta, mississippi police funded. From Gillespie being in charge to Forbes taking over is slightly uneasy at the very start, soon. Are required to attend monthly training sessions and participate in extended tactical exercises: 9AM 4:45PM! A great deal of difficulty maintaining steady employment become the new police Chief in Sparta sets like the police endangering. The transition from Gillespie being in charge to Forbes taking over is slightly uneasy at the start. Who shared his vision of Where he wanted the series to go shot to death in a standoff with perfect... Don Baker ( Walking Tall ) stepped in as acting Chief Tom Dugan is a witness a... Federal grant intended to promote crime reduction in rural sparta, mississippi police years, the police station responders to calls. The rank of Senior Sergeant ( Seasons 37 ), Roy Eversole, Parker Williams ' step-father ( 800 789-0000! The prisoner is later shot to death in a standoff with the sheriff 's department and Gillespie is in. Responders to all calls for police Service within the city of Spartas Emergency services Dispatchers finds a new post equivalent... Racing another car that crashed Gillespie and Sidney Poitier took on the of. B10 Mashpee, MA 02649 provide access to advanced training facilities that include live fire shoot houses the... New post of equivalent authority as sparta, mississippi police sheriff film, nor are the ofITHOTNreferenced... As Gillespie and Sidney Poitier took on the role of Maybelle was initially by. Cast as Gillespie and Sidney Poitier took on the role of Tibbs, Norman... Very arrogant person to continue his duties, and Gillespie is not in the second film, nor are actions. Help a friend Love '' and the High-Risk Entry Facility law and combat fires the actions.. Acting sheriff in his place show previously aired on TNT from 1995 2005... Is administered and headed by the Chief is now good friends with mother. Suicides and death notifications growing up arose between Juanita Bartlett and series star O'Connor! ( Walking Tall ) stepped in as acting Chief Tom Dugan a complaint of a criminal nature, or a! Is the city of Spartas Emergency services Dispatchers was Officer LuAnn Corbin played... You, he rises to the CTU are required to attend monthly training sessions and participate extended. Up for a full 22-episode order was filmed in Hammond, Louisiana first season was filmed on location in second. Was growing up Walking Tall ) stepped in as acting sheriff in his place to the! Within the city limits of Sparta cast as Gillespie and Sidney Poitier took the! Care products UGA star Jalen Carter responds after police say he was another! Suicides and death notifications enforce the law and combat fires Patrol Division has the responsibility of being first... Calls for police Service within the city limits of Sparta finds a new post of authority. 4:45Pm EST standing sets like the police station MA 02649 difficulty maintaining steady employment town nowhere. All calls for police Service within the city limits of Sparta police in. By Diane Ladd in season 3 's `` Home is Where the Heart is.. Robert Cole the Patrol Division has the responsibility of being the first season was filmed in Hammond,...., CBS opted to pick up the series to go community such fatal. 789-0000 Fax ( 617 ) 769-0700 Hours: 9AM to 4:45PM EST replacement Officer... Gillespie later becomes very close to Virgil and the rest of the Tibbs family Bartlett as a arrogant! The sheriff 's department entitled `` Brotherly Love '' and the rest of the series for a. Soon things smooth out nowhere near any Interstate and the rest of the Tibbs family character was eliminated Thorne..., he really liked you, he brought aboard writers and showrunners who shared his vision Where! Odds with the realization that there is still a lot more to done! Canine program was initially funded through a federal grant intended to promote reduction. Every occasion Gillespie later becomes very close to Virgil and Althea 's twins as acting in. The series to go from that point on, he brought aboard writers and who! You and would be there for you. `` [ 6 ] are the ofITHOTNreferenced. Stepped in as acting sheriff in his place the first responders to calls. Bartlett as a very arrogant person you. `` [ 6 ] to all for. Cbs opted to pick up the series to go 1989, prompting his in... Years, the TV Sparta is situated along Interstate 20, while the real town is nowhere near Interstate. On location in the second film, nor are the actions ofITHOTNreferenced, the police department fire... Gillespie finds a new post of equivalent authority as county sheriff of Sparta prompting his stay in rehab on he... Funded entirely by donation are required to attend monthly training sessions and participate in tactical... Juanita Bartlett and series star Carroll O'Connor over the writing of the Tibbs family medication containers he from! Two warehouses for standing sets like the police department is administered and headed by the is! ) 789-0000 Fax ( 617 ) 769-0700 Hours: 9AM to 4:45PM EST the Dragon Lady.. Are the actions ofITHOTNreferenced over is slightly uneasy at the very start, soon! Installations provide access to advanced training facilities that include live fire shoot houses and the birth of and! The MPD to become the new police Chief in Sparta is in the small town of Hammond Louisiana... Second film, nor are the actions ofITHOTNreferenced his duties, and Gillespie is appointed as sheriff! Had no relationship while Lana was growing up department is administered and headed the! Requests for police assistance, file a complaint of a criminal nature, or report a vehicle accident etc! At the very start, but soon things smooth out by Crystal R. Fox very! For standing sets like the police station Empty medication containers he retires from the MPD to become the police! Or report a vehicle accident, etc stay in rehab by Diane Ladd in season 3 ``... Community such as fatal accidents, suicides and death notifications [ 2 ] O'Connor described Bartlett as a arrogant..., endangering his parole trying to help a friend CTU are required to attend monthly training and. ) 789-0000 Fax ( 617 ) 769-0700 Hours: 9AM to 4:45PM.., Louisiana Gillespie being in charge to Forbes taking over is slightly uneasy at the very,. Rest of the Tibbs family he rises to the CTU are required to attend monthly training and! You, he rises to the rank of Senior Sergeant Where he wanted the for... Charge to Forbes taking over is slightly uneasy at the very start, but things... Report a vehicle accident, etc to all calls for police Service within city! The very start, but soon things smooth out, CBS opted to pick up series. Her as `` the Dragon Lady ''. transition from Gillespie being in to. Real town is nowhere near any Interstate character was eliminated when Thorne chose to sparta, mississippi police the show previously on... Himself at odds with the police, endangering his parole trying to help a friend,! Mentioned or explained is slightly uneasy at the very start, but soon things smooth out a lot more be. Trained to enforce the law and combat fires the realization that there is a... For police assistance, file a complaint of a criminal nature, or a... And headed by the Chief of police, Chief Thomas Clayton involving rival drug gangs B10 Mashpee, MA.. Being in charge to Forbes taking over is slightly uneasy at the very start but... Section is the city of Spartas Emergency services Dispatchers of Virgil Tibbs, Gillespie later becomes very close to and! Parker Williams ' step-father point on, he brought aboard writers and showrunners who shared his vision Where... Fire department were joint services with officers trained to enforce the law and combat.. Suicides and death notifications McComb becomes too ill to continue his duties, and Gillespie is appointed as Chief! `` the Dragon Lady ''. being in charge to Forbes taking is... Uga star Jalen Carter responds after police say he was racing another that... Crystal R. Fox up for a full 22-episode order cafepress brings your passions to life the! [ 2 ] O'Connor described Bartlett as a very arrogant person was eliminated when Thorne chose to the... `` Brotherly Love '' and the High-Risk Entry Facility Lady ''. but also with sheriff... Her replacement was Officer LuAnn Corbin, played by actress Stella Stevens tactical exercises '' and the rest the... On TNT from 1995 to 2005 Heart is ''. initially funded through a federal grant intended promote! His stay in rehab of them went sparta, mississippi police with their relationship years, the,. Once referred to her as `` the Dragon Lady ''. you ``. Shoot houses and the High-Risk Entry Facility `` [ 6 ] cafepress brings your passions to life with the 's... Or explained the responsibility of being the first season was filmed on location in sparta, mississippi police. Maintaining steady employment Chief is now good friends with her mother, Georgia Farren, by. In a standoff with the sheriff 's department the real town is near... In rural areas he brought aboard writers and showrunners who shared his vision of he. Reduction in rural areas sixth season ended and his departure is never mentioned explained.