In 1971, eleven years after joining the LAPD, Wambaugh saw his first novel, The New Centurions, published by Little, Brown and Co. The story of rookie LAPD cops in the early 1960s became his first bestseller and, the following year, the first movie based on his work. The film adaptation starred George C. Scott and Stacy Keach.

Bestselling crime novelist Joseph Wambaugh, who mined his own experience as a Los Angeles police officer, has died at 88.

The author, who previously lived in Newport Beach, died in Rancho Mirage after having esophageal cancer, a friend said.

He wrote 'The Onion Field,' 'The New Centurions' and 'The Blue Knight' and created the realistic anthology series 'Police Story.'