<Tr> <Td> Alan Autry </Td> <Td> Played Virgil Lawrence "Bubba" Skinner . At first Bubba was something of a redneck . Intimidating and physically powerful, he was never afraid to use force when needed, but despite his rough exterior, he was a good man deep down . He was also a sort of ladies' man around Sparta, as he always seemed to have a new girlfriend . He was known to turn female heads - including that of Althea Tibbs who refers to him as a "hunk ." Bubba was deeply resentful of Virgil's presence on the police force at first, clashing with him on several occasions . He eventually became close friends with the Tibbs family, particularly after Virgil helped clear his name in a false allegation of rape . As the series progresses, Bubba is shown to be a brave and honorable man who is more complex and intelligent than people give him credit for . Through the course of the series, Bubba became more racially tolerant, referring to bigots and racists as "knotheads ." Bubba was also from a large family, and was shown several times during the series to be an expert shot with a rifle . When the Sparta police needed a sniper (such as when Captain Tibbs's wife Althea was taken hostage in the episode "...And then you die,") it was Skinner who took the shot with a scoped rifle kept in the trunk of his squad car . Bubba carried a Smith & Wesson Model 10 revolver in his belt holster like most of the other Sparta police officers . In Season 1, Bubba's rank seemed to be patrolman but was never explicitly stated . By Season 2's premiere he was a Sergeant . Eventually he rose to the rank of Captain before Gillespie left the Sparta Police . In Season 5, it is revealed that Bubba's first and middle initials are V.L. Bubba also always wore "white socks" with his uniform . Bubba usually was the one who was asked to arrest the tougher suspects due to his large size and immense strength . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Anne - Marie Johnson </Td> <Td> Starred as Virgil's wife, teacher and counselor Althea Tibbs . She starred in that role for six seasons . Althea's life in Sparta was difficult--she was raped at the beginning of the third season, and later suffered a mental breakdown after witnessing the suicide of one of her students . Althea did not reappear for the 7th season, and her character was written out as Althea had been separated from Virgil and moved back to Pennsylvania . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Lois Nettleton </Td> <Td> Played Joanne St. John from 1988 to 1989 . She was the owner of the Magnolia Cafe, a popular eatery in Sparta (as seen in the show's opening). After it was revealed that Joanne was once a prostitute, she eventually left Sparta . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> David Hart </Td> <Td> Played Parker Williams . He was a very perceptive character . He genuinely loved the people of Sparta whom he had sworn to serve and protect, and he often sensed when someone was hurting . Parker knew everybody in town and was able to get through to them because of his kindness . Parker generally sat behind the dispatcher's desk, handling the telephone and radio, although he also was assigned to patrol duty . In 1994, he rose to the rank of Senior Sergeant . Parker was a Vietnam veteran, as explained in the episode "My Name is Hank ." As a comic relief, Parker always had a Mason jar of sweet tea on his desk, including when he was at the Tibbs's house for Christmas in the episode "Blessings ." Parker can be seen holding his tea jar with a Christmas bow stuck on it . </Td> </Tr>

Chief dugan in the heat of the night