<Li> Lara Jill Miller as Samantha "Sam" Kanisky (Seasons 1--5, recurring in season 6). The Chief's youngest daughter, portrayed as a typical tomboy in her preteen years but developed into a boy - crazy teenager . She moved to Warren County, New Jersey to go to Littlefield College and had a recurring role in Season 6 . </Li> <Li> Joey Lawrence as Joey Donovan (Seasons 3--6), who eventually became Nell and the Chief's foster son; before that he had been working as a con artist to raise money to join his uncle in Chicago . Later Joey became a key cast member . His father Tim Donovan appeared on the show in New Orleans and in New York City . Joey met his little brother and moved in with Tim at the beginning of season 6 but soon afterwards was reunited with Nell and lived with her and Addy in New York City . </Li> <Li> Howard Morton as Officer Ralph Waldo Simpson (Seasons 3--5, previously recurring). A dopey but lovable police officer who was a subordinate of the Chief's . </Li> <Li> John Hoyt as Stanley "Grandpa" Kanisky (Seasons 2--6, previously recurring). The Chief's crusty but lovable Polish immigrant father . After his wife died, Grandpa Kanisky came to live with his son and granddaughters in Season 3 . In Season 6 he moved to New York City, into the same building as Nell . </Li>

Who played simpson on gimme a break