<P> Hill Street Blues refers to the blue uniforms worn by many police officers in the US, and is perhaps an intentional pun on the musical style "blues," which is depressing in its tone ("Hill Street" is the name of the precinct). The phrase is uttered only once within the series, by Detective Emil Schneider (Dolph Sweet) in the first - season episode "Gatorbait". Schneider says it in a slightly mocking tone, in reference to officers Hill and Renko, who he feels are out of their league at a particular crime scene . The precinct bowling team is the "Hill Street Blue Ballers ." </P> <P> Officers are listed by the rank they held at first appearance on the program; some officers later held higher ranks . </P> <Ul> <Li> Capt . Francis Xavier "Frank" Furillo (Daniel J. Travanti, 1981--87) </Li> <Li> Joyce Davenport (Veronica Hamel, 1981--87) </Li> <Li> Sgt . Phil Freemason Esterhaus (Michael Conrad, 1981--84) </Li> <Li> Det . Mick Belker (Bruce Weitz, 1981--87) </Li> <Li> Sgt . (later Lt .) Henry Goldblume (Joe Spano, 1981--87) </Li> <Li> Ofc . Bobby Hill (Michael Warren, 1981--87) </Li> <Li> Ofc . Andy Renko (Charles Haid, 1981--87) </Li> <Li> Sgt . (later Lt. / Sgt. / Lt .) Howard Hunter (James B. Sikking, 1981--87) </Li> <Li> Ofc . (later Sgt .) Lucille Bates (Betty Thomas, 1981--87) </Li> <Li> Det . J.D. LaRue (Kiel Martin, 1981--87) </Li> <Li> Det . Neal Washington (Taurean Blacque, 1981--87) </Li> <Li> Lt. Ray Calletano (later Capt .) (Rene Enriquez, 1981--86) </Li> <Li> Ofc . Joe Coffey (Ed Marinaro, 1981--86) </Li> <Li> Fay Furillo (Barbara Bosson, 1981--86) </Li> <Li> Sgt . Stan Jablonski (Robert Prosky, 1984--87) </Li> <Li> Det . Harry Garibaldi (Ken Olin, 1984--85) </Li> <Li> Det . Patricia "Patsy" Mayo (Mimi Kuzyk, 1984--85) </Li> <Li> Lt. Norman "Guido" Buntz (Dennis Franz, 1985--87) </Li> <Li> Ofc . Patrick Flaherty (Robert Clohessy, 1986--87) </Li> <Li> Ofc . Tina Russo (Megan Gallagher, 1986--87) </Li> </Ul> <Li> Capt . Francis Xavier "Frank" Furillo (Daniel J. Travanti, 1981--87) </Li>

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