Joseph Wambaugh, who turned his experiences from 14 years with the Los Angeles Police Department into such gritty books as The Onion Field, The New Centurions, The Blue Knight and The Glitter Dome — all adapted for the screen — died Friday. He was 88.

Wambaugh, who also co-created the acclaimed 1970s anthology series Police Story for NBC, died at his home in Rancho Mirage of esophageal cancer, longtime family friend Janene Gant told The New York Times.

Wambaugh, who joined the LAPD as a patrolman in 1960, made a splash with his debut novel, The New Centurions, a sweeping tale that followed three young LAPD officers during a five-year period that led to the 1965 Watts riots. Published by Little, Brown and Co. in 1971, it was a hit, remaining on The New York Times Best Seller List for 32 weeks.

In his review for the Times, Thomas Fleming wrote: “Do you like cops? Read The New Centurions.