List of Hill Street Blues characters
This is a list of characters from the NBC police drama Hill Street Blues.
Main characters
Officers are listed by the rank they held at first appearance on the program; some officers later held higher ranks.;Captain Francis Xavier "Frank" Furillo
Furillo is in charge of the Hill Street Precinct and the focus of most episodes. He is honest, capable, and goes "by the book," though some of his colleagues find him a bit superior in attitude. He generally presents himself to be even-tempered, though it is often clear that he is controlling his emotions; on rare occasions he allows himself to get truly angry. Furillo joined the police force in 1964 and was a Lieutenant at Division prior to his promotion to Captain. Though he was the protege of Police Chief-to-be Daniels, Furillo often disagrees with Daniels on policy and generally has little respect for him. Frank is divorced from Fay Furillo, though he tolerates her regular tirades and helps her out as if they were still married. His relationship with Joyce Davenport, whom he affectionately calls "Counselor", is at first secret; by the end of Season 3, they are married. The majority of episodes end with them in intimate situations, most of the time in bed, reviewing the events of the day. During such conversations, he sometimes refers to himself in the third person as "a certain Italian police captain." While on duty, Frank almost never appears in anything but a three-piece suit; one episode, Bald Ambition, has his colleagues astounded by Frank's wearing a sports coat. In the first season, Frank is revealed to be a recovering alcoholic; in Season 4 he almost suffers a relapse after being stripped of his command on the orders of a vindictive Mayor Cleveland and actually does relapse near the end of Season 5, but catches himself in time and rejoins Alcoholics Anonymous in Season 5's last episode.
;Joyce Davenport
Davenport works mainly as a public defender – though she was an Assistant District Attorney for five months in Season 5, but soon realized that it was not for her and rejoined the Public Defender's Office. She is an extremely successful and well-respected attorney. Davenport is in a relationship with Capt. Furillo, whom she refers to as "Pizza Man" as a term of endearment. They originally met during a court trial when Furillo was a recently divorced Lieutenant; their first date was to a classical music concert, followed by pizza. Though the relationship is initially hidden, Davenport reveals the relationship in Season 2 and they are married near the end of Season 3. They have no children, as they learn in Season 4 that she is medically unable to bear children.
;Sgt. Philip "Phil" Freemason Esterhaus
Esterhaus is the Desk Sergeant, in charge of the uniformed officers, and is rarely seen outside of the station house. Each show opens with "Roll Call", Esterhaus's morning briefing, which always ends with his catchphrase "Let's be careful out there." His speech is filled with complex syntax and numerous synonyms, but his style of delivery is never patronizing and indeed is often enjoyed by the officers. While on duty, he maintains a professional demeanor, but has lost his temper in a few cases of extreme provocation. He passed the lieutenant examination four times, but never advanced in rank - three times due to budget limitations, and the fourth without explanation. Despite, or perhaps because of, his professional and fatherly demeanor, he is pursued by numerous women. He is a divorcé, and nearly marries his 18-year-old girlfriend at the end of Season 1, until the appearance of his paramour Grace Gardner causes him to faint and call off the marriage. Three seasons later, Esterhaus dies during a romantic tryst with Grace Gardner; this served to cover for Michael Conrad's death due to urethral cancer on November 22, 1983.
;Detective Michael "Mick" Belker
An extremely capable undercover detective. He is small in stature but strong, wiry, and very fast. He is Jewish and has on occasion posed undercover as a Hasidic Jew. He is extremely loyal to and respectful of Capt. Furillo, and has an almost filial feeling towards Sergeant Esterhaus. Belker likes to growl and to bite suspects ; he revealed that his father, a tailor who was also short of stature, tended to bite people during fights. Belker strongly believes in family ties and he cares deeply for both his parents; hardly an episode goes by when Belker does not answer his station phone curtly with "Belker!", then his tone softens as he says "Hi, Ma." Belker suffers the death of both his father and his beloved mother Rose during the course of the series. Belker addresses friends and foes alike with insults such as "dog breath" or "hair bag", and will threaten them with violence to keep them in line. Originally a loner, Belker had multiple unsuccessful short-term relationships with women until he met and eventually married Officer Robin Tataglia. In Season 6, Mick and Robin welcomed a son, whom they named Philip after Sergeant Esterhaus. Belker has had some unusual relationships which he never actually sought out, but one of the most surprising relationships in Belker's life is his friendship in Season 3 with Eddie Gregg, a gay prostitute whom Belker originally arrests, then befriends. Eddie left town after first informing to Belker on his boyfriend, who had murdered some Peruvian drug dealers, then almost wrecking the case by warning the boyfriend that the police were after him. Eddie returned in Season 6 to tell Belker that he was dying of AIDS.
;Sgt. Henry Goldblume
Goldblume is often in charge of negotiating in hostage situations. In the early years especially, he is at odds with Howard Hunter, whose distinctly right-wing view of the world contrasts with his own. He is often the confidant of Captain Furillo, to the irritation of Lieutenant Calletano. He joined the police force in 1969 and was stationed at Jefferson Heights prior to his transfer to Hill Street. Though somewhat meek early on, he becomes more self-confident as the series progresses. At the beginning of the series, he is married with three children; however, he and his wife Rachel undergo a separation after Henry has a short-lived affair. The separation ends after Rachel admits that she too once had an affair, but after Henry is shot during an undercover operation, his wife—who did not want him working undercover—divorces him. In Season Four, Goldblume acted as Fay Furillo's labor coach, and briefly became her lover. He later fell head-over-heels for the wealthy widow of a mob boss, only to witness her cold-blooded murder during a dinner date. He had aspirations to become a writer during high school, and is convinced to write his memoirs in Season Seven following the tragic death of a former high school friend, who was also an aspiring writer.
As Goldblume's confidence increases over the course of the series, he becomes less of an adversary of Howard and more of a thorn in the side of Furillo, who is constantly reminded of Henry's moral code and how it sometimes contrasts with Furillo's difficult decisions.
;Officer Robert Eugene "Bobby" Hill
Renko's partner, generally well-meaning and good-hearted. Previously stationed at Jefferson Heights. A trained boxer, he twice won Golden Gloves championships and also twice won the Metro Police Middleweight Championship, though his attempt to win a third middleweight championship ended when he was knocked out with one punch in the final match. He is briefly the vice-president of the Black Officers' Coalition. In Season 4, he wins $100,000 in the lottery and promptly loses all but $30,000 of it gambling. Unlike his partner, Hill does not aspire to plainclothes work. He and his partner are fiercely loyal to each other—though this is occasionally tested, as in the aftermath of their nearly fatal shooting in Season 1.
;Officer Andrew J. "Andy" Renko
Partners with Bobby Hill, who calls him "Cowboy", even though he was born in New Jersey and had "never been west of Chicago in my life." He speaks with a Southern accent and rides a motorcycle when he's not in a squad car. He favors country music and, in the early seasons, was often shown wearing a Waylon Jennings baseball cap. He is known for his semi-serious braggadocio and cannot leave for his shift without his "morning sit-down" in the lavatory. Despite the occasional facetious racial comment, he considers Bobby Hill his closest friend and soulmate, often addressing him as "Bobby Hill," rather than just Bobby. While close to the other members of his family, Renko's relationship with his father is fractious and contentious; however, he sincerely mourns when his father dies of cancer towards the end of Season 2, but has the last laugh in the end when his father's body is inadvertently stolen along with the van it was in and later dumped in an alley among a group of winos where Belker is working undercover. Renko aspires to become a detective, and has taken college courses towards that goal. In Season 4, he marries the former Daryl Ann McConnicke, and together they have a daughter, Laura Ann; unfortunately, the marriage collapses after affairs on both sides in Season 7.
;Sergeant/Lieutenant Howard Hunter
In charge of the Emergency Action Team, Hunter loves to postulate and theorize about the degeneration of society. A decorated Marine and a veteran of the Vietnam War, Hunter tends to speak in an overly complex manner similar to that of Sergeant Esterhaus; however, unlike Sergeant Esterhaus, he rarely thinks about or seems to understand the consequences of some of the things he says, especially relating to social, racial or ethnic subjects/situations, and often comes across as extremely patronizing. When he speaks to Lt. Calletano, Hunter cheerfully infuses his speech with Spanish words and phrases, occasionally to the latter's frustration. Though generally suspicious of poor immigrants, Hunter, in later episodes of the series, often expresses admiration and respect for ancient tribal practices and artifacts. Hunter is a very capable officer and an expert in weaponry; nevertheless, his handling of many an inanimate object often results in comic situations. His attempts to acquire sophisticated weaponry often fail spectacularly and only serve to hinder his career ambitions. Despite these mishaps, however, Hunter is held in high regard by almost everyone at Hill Street. He rarely sees eye to eye with Captain Furillo, believing that militaristic action is often the best solution to a situation, though he is bound by his loyalty to his superiors. Often he has tried to find female companionship, but he has never been able to keep a steady significant other; the longest relationship he has had was with nurse Linda Wulfawitz in Season 3. He also had lunch dates with both Lucy Bates and Fay Furillo in Season 4 that proved major disasters. He joined the police department directly following his service in Vietnam, wearing badge 1146 in the Midtown Precinct; while there, he was compelled to serve as a bagman for dishonest officers, and the later revelation in Season 4 of that activity embarrassed Hunter to the point of attempting suicide. Initially a Sergeant, he is promoted to Lieutenant early in Season 1 without it being overtly mentioned. In Season 7, Hunter shows questionable judgement in a fatal off-duty shooting and is demoted to Sergeant before eventually being restored to Lieutenant and commander of the EAT.
;Officer, later Sgt. Lucille "Lucy" Bates
For much of the series, the sole female officer who is given story lines. Initially restricted in her duties, presumably because of her gender, Lucy is immediately re-written as a tough, capable officer when she is partnered with Joe Coffey. Lucy and Joe have somewhat of a love-hate relationship, and she is often judgmental of his off-duty behavior. An effective officer, she occasionally finds conflicts of conscience in her work. Though she tries to be "one of the boys," she is at times highly judgmental of her colleagues. After a brief stint as desk sergeant in Season 4 following the death of Esterhaus, she returned to motor patrol with the arrival of Sergeant Jablonski; she also assumed Desk Sergeant duties during emergencies and following the reinstatement of Hunter's lieutenancy near the end of the series. She eventually adopts a child, Fabian, the biological son of a drug-addicted mother.
;Detective John D. "J.D." LaRue
A talented undercover officer whose great skills as a detective are constantly marred by his drinking, his womanizing, and his get-rich-quick schemes. His recurrent battles with alcoholism have put him at odds with recovering alcoholic Captain Furillo, to the extent that Furillo nearly had LaRue dismissed from the police force for arriving to a major undercover operation inebriated. Though his sobriety eventually remains in check, he continues to have problems with Internal Affairs: J.D. cannot resist scams and constantly wants his friends to invest in schemes of marginal legality. LaRue is an inveterate practical joker, sometimes targeting Hunter's paramilitary escapades, but in one episode when the tables are turned on him, it seems that he can't take it as well as he dishes it out. He regularly hurls insults at Belker, and there are quite a few times when he says things without thinking, not realizing that such remarks make people angry with him.
;Detective Neal Washington
A former football player whose career ended due to a knee injury, Washington is the partner of LaRue. He is a very good undercover officer, much respected by his captain. Though Washington admits that he learned almost "everything I know" about undercover from LaRue, LaRue's drinking, schemes, and libido cause him no end of trouble. Neal's trademarks are a toothpick in the side of his mouth and a habit of referring to people as "babe" or, when he is angry, "sucker!" His nickname for his partner is "Lover." When frustrated by LaRue, he usually turns his head and mutters "Ohh, maaaaann..." He develops a promising relationship with a young woman during the sixth season, only to be shot in the back by her pre-teen son during an argument.
;Lt. Ray Calletano
Columbian-born, but a naturalized American citizen and former Marine, Calletano serves as Furillo's "right-hand man". His fluency in Spanish often comes in handy, especially in dealing with Hispanic youth gangs such as the Diablos. Ray often has uneasy conversations with Howard Hunter, the latter of whom uses occasional Spanish words to ingratiate himself to Ray. Though he has reached the high rank of Lieutenant and Furillo depends on him for any number of things, Ray's leadership abilities are sometimes called into question. Ray is jealous of the attention lavished by Furillo on Henry Goldblume. When he is eventually promoted to Captain of the Polk Avenue Precinct, his leadership problems follow him, and an explosion of racial tensions at Polk Avenue result in him being relieved of command and made an advisor to Chief Daniels. By the end of the series, Ray has resigned from the force and is instead providing Spanish-language training to the police.
;Chief Fletcher Daniels
The chief of police – formerly an Inspector and the Captain of the 23rd Precinct – has many men under him, but he seems to pay special attention to Frank, partly because he had worked with Frank before he became chief and partly because Hill Street is the most dangerous precinct in the city. Daniels respects Furillo's integrity, though it often frustrates him as it interferes with what he considers effective policy or political expediency. Several times he accuses Frank of disloyalty. Though not provably corrupt, Daniels is an opportunist with very little conscience. Because of his traditional approach to police work, Daniels finds a kindred spirit in Howard Hunter, though Hunter is not within the Chief's inner echelon. Ray Calletano finds the Chief particularly irritating. Daniels is often concerned about the status of racial diversity in the department, though his worry is related solely to the image of the department rather than to a genuine concern for civil rights.
Daniels's wife is first referred to as Anne, then as Cora.
;Officer Joe Coffey
A patrol officer who is partnered with Lucy Bates. Lucy is attracted to Joe, but is in constant judgment of his off-duty lifestyle, which she considers to be that of a "lounge lizard." Joe, a Vietnam veteran, is well-liked by his colleagues. Because of his large stature, he is usually the one chosen to break down doors when necessary. Coffey holds the unusual distinction of being killed twice during the course of the series; his first death was changed into a severe injury when the producers decided to make Coffey's character Bates' regular partner.
;Fay Furillo
Frank's ex-wife. In early seasons, she made frequent visits to the precinct house to harangue Frank about things such as alimony, child support, the exploits of their son Frank Junior and her own life problems. In Season 3 after one such harangue had begun, Furillo lost his temper with her and forced her to come to terms with the fact that since they were no longer married, she shouldn't keep coming to him for solutions. She became less shrill and developed new life interests; she also became involved with and pregnant by Judge Paul Grogan and delivered a baby girl in Season 4. Fay later became romantically involved with Goldblume in Season 4 and, to a lesser extent, Detective Garibaldi. Her relationship with Joyce Davenport is covered infrequently during the series, but after a rocky start, they seem to have come to an understanding and even a friendship, though not a close one. In his excited moments, when he is defending his ex-wife to a third party, Furillo will occasionally slip and refer to Fay as his wife. Fay is rarely intimidated by anyone and displays a devastating right hook on occasion; she also takes karate lessons on Season 4 that prove extremely effective on one occasion. Her screen time was dramatically reduced, and ultimately eliminated without fanfare during the sixth season.
;Sgt. Stanislaus "Stan"/"Stosh" Jablonski
An "old school" cop who takes over from Sgt. Esterhaus after the latter's death. He is transferred from Polk Avenue after a physical altercation with a female officer, replacing Bates as Desk Sergeant in the process. Well-respected by the men, though he does not inspire the emotional bond that Phil had. Lives alone except for his dog, Blackie. Instead of urging his officers to "be careful out there," he encourages his people to "do it to them before they do it to us"; in Season 6, this is tempered to "They're getting away out there!" His angina progresses to a heart attack early in Season 7, requiring coronary artery bypass surgery and forcing him into retirement. Post-retirement, he continues to spend time with his former colleagues during their off duty hours and occasionally provides assistance when the opportunity arises.
;Detective Harry Garibaldi
A transfer from the Midtown Precinct, Garibaldi is willing to bend rules to make a bust. He spends his nights in law school classes, juggling his schedules so that he can complete law school in four years. Partners with Detective Mayo. Fatally stabbed in Season 6 while heavily in debt to loan sharks from gambling losses.
;Detective Patricia "Patsy" Mayo
Much more "by the book" than her partner, Detective Garibaldi, and very defensive of her police practices. Well respected by her peers. She approached the married Captain Furillo, who politely declined a romantic relationship. Chief Daniels became infatuated with her in Season 5 after reviewing a videotape of her being undressed by a predatory dentist; when Mayo rebuffed his advances, Daniels tried to have her kicked off the force, until Furillo intervened. Returned to Midtown at the beginning of Season 6.
;Lt. Norman "Guido" Buntz
Buntz is an effective officer and an excellent marksman, but he often cuts corners and uses questionable tactics. His manner is loud and full of as much profanity as television would allow at the time. On his first day on the Hill, he convinces a captain in another precinct to retire so that Ray Calletano can take his captaincy and leave the Hill and he, Buntz, can function more effectively in his new precinct. Buntz develops an uneasy relationship with Sid the Snitch. Due to his aggressive style, Buntz is frequently the target of internal investigations; in one case, a corrupt Internal Affairs investigator sets Buntz up, using Buntz's record to make the set-up appear real. In the last episode, he punches Chief Daniels - who had been publicly calling for his dismissal - in the face. Disgraced and unemployed, he moves to Beverly Hills, California with Sid and becomes a private investigator - the premise of the short-lived spin-off Beverly Hills Buntz. Buntz is very similar in character to Franz's previous character on Hill Street Blues, corrupt Detective Sal Benedetto of Midtown Vice.
"Guido" refers to his nickname at his previous assignment. As he tells Capt. Furillo on his first day on the Hill, though he is of German ancestry, he looks like "such a Guinea."
;Officer Patrick Flaherty
Transfers to Hill Street in Season 7. Turned in his partner, an old friend of Lieutenant Buntz, earning his enmity. Romantically linked with Sgt. Bates, Officer Russo, and, later, Grace Gardner.
;Officer Tina Russo
Transfers to Hill Street in Season 7. An able patrol officer, but Tina also works undercover from time to time, which is how she first comes into contact with J.D.. Russo gets into some trouble for sleeping with a criminal whom she is investigating, rather than merely "seducing" him at length. Later mentored by Belker; briefly linked romantically with Flaherty, though she is reluctant to make their affair public.
Other characters
;Assistant D.A. Irwin BernsteinOften faces off against Joyce Davenport in court. Recruited Davenport to the District Attorney's office in Season 5. Known to refer to himself as "Mrs. Bernstein's son" when making a point. In Season 6, Bernstein is part of Captain Furillo's commission on corruption, which secures indictments against more than three dozen officers and lays blame on Chief Daniels as well. He confesses his attraction to Joyce Davenport and kisses her in Season 7. Leaves Hill Street in the last episode for a private practice in Los Angeles.
;Commander Ozzie Cleveland
Originally introduced as the commander of the powerful Midtown Precinct, Cleveland was also the president of the Black Officers' Coalition, and he nominated Bobby Hill to the vice-presidency of the BOC. When mayoral candidate Councilman Benjamin Fisk accidentally kills himself ten days before the election, Cleveland enters the race and - assisted by Fletcher Daniels' mishandling of a police shooting and Deputy Chief Mahoney's last-minute revelations of Daniels' role in trying to cover up that shooting - wins election in a landslide. He has a particular hatred of drug dealers - having grown up constantly exposed to them in a poor area of the city - and invests significant political capital in "Operation Stop 'n' Cop", a sweep operation that nearly costs Furillo his command. Cleveland's own son, Lee, is revealed to be a junkie; while Ozzie wants Lee out of his life, his wife Leona still supports him. Cleveland later survives an assassination attempt engineered by former Captain Jerry Fuchs.
;Officer Leo Schnitz
The "khaki" officer in charge of booking. He wears glasses, is somewhat overweight, and is in a rather unhappy marriage. Leo attempts to save a drug addict named Rico, staying with him in a jail cell until he gets straight, but Rico eventually relapses. After his wife leaves him, Leo loses quite a bit of weight and later on elopes to New Zealand with the female "khaki" officer, Natalie.
;Grace Gardner
The widow of Chief of Detectives Sam Gardner, Grace is hired to improve the appearance of the Hill Street stationhouse and immediately falls for Phil Esterhaus. Her erotic desires seem to know no end and, even in public, she sometimes appears to be restraining the throes of passion. Briefly partnered with Hunter before returning to Esterhaus. Esterhaus eventually expires while in her bed, and she becomes a nun. Unable to avoid the temptations of the flesh, she leaves the nunnery and becomes a field representative for a condom company.
;Jesus Martinez
Introduced as the warlord of the Diablos youth gang, Martinez often works with Furillo if he can gain an advantage for himself. Serves time in jail after he uses a government grant to play the futures market, loses all the money, and tries to recoup his losses by stealing the police payroll. He renounces his gang colors after his marriage, enrolls in law school. Despite Martinez's long list of violent crimes, Furillo develops a thinly concealed respect for his big ideas and his clever readings of people.
;Captain Jerry Fuchs
Introduced as the Captain in charge of Vice when it was based out of the Midtown Precinct. He is a tough cop with a New England accent, and was a former "drinking buddy" of Furillo before Furillo swore off alcohol. Fuchs is not well respected by his superiors or his officers, who consider being under Fuchs' command a license to do anything they want. His department is found to be pervasively corrupt, leading to its dissolution. Fuchs quits rather than be fired and instead sets up his own private investigation firm. Fuchs attempts to kill Mayor Cleveland and then suffers a heart attack while trying to flee to Saint Louis, Missouri; he dies in the hospital.
;Alan Wachtel
Introduced as a sleazy and unscrupulous attorney who occasionally hangs around the Hill Street precinct, Wachtel attended law school with Joyce Davenport, where he was one of the best students in the class. After a period of wearing dresses to "explore his gender identity", he eventually becomes a judge courtesy of political patronage and, after a rough start, quickly becomes more "by-the-book," but also more cynical.
His name was originally pronounced WAKH-tull, later as wakh-TELL.
; Sgt. / Lt. Alf Chesley
A soft-spoken sergeant who is promoted to lieutenant after serving for many years on the force. Bobby Hill wants him to take a more active role in the Black Officers' Coalition, but Alf declines and politely lectures him on how long he has waited for advancement and how many movements dedicated to affirmative action he has seen come and go. After his promotion, Alf is given more responsibility but is hardly ever an integral part of a story. Not seen after season 3.
;Captain Freedom
A superhero "wannabe" who crosses paths with Belker on several occasions. He gives inspirational speeches to Belker about society and the power of the human mind and spirit, though they are invariably followed by a statement that reveals him to be insane. Killed when he attempts to intervene in an armed robbery of a bar set up for a police corruption investigation.
;Officer Robin Tattaglia Belker
Originally transferred to Hill Street in Season 2. Ingratiated herself to Detective Belker when she agreed to accompany him on visits to his incapacitated father. Pursued an on-again, off-again relationship with Belker until becoming pregnant by him in Season 6 and marrying him later that season.
;Detective Sal Benedetto
Previous character of Dennis Franz, the corrupt Detective from Midtown Vice is famous for three events: blindsiding Renko in a backstreet brawl, being beaten up by Hill in revenge, and committing suicide in a bank's safe-deposit area when his corruption is discovered.
;Officer Mike Perez
A street cop who is generally well-liked by the other members of the precinct. He speaks both English and Spanish fluently. In the episode "Doris in Wonderland", he shoots a child in an apartment whom he mistakes to be a prowler. His recovery from the tragedy is slow and painful.
;Natalie DeRoy
A "khaki officer" brought in to assist Leo Schnitz in Season 4. She is efficient and has a wry sense of humor. Natalie develops strong feelings for Leo, which are sometimes manifested as half-serious jabs at his character or appearance. Despite her interest in him, Leo long maintains feelings for his estranged wife. Eventually, however, Natalie and Leo elope to New Zealand.
;Fabian DeWitt
The adopted child of Lucille Bates, whom she first encountered during a shoplifting incident. Despite his harsh upbringing, Fabian quickly turns into a happy and well-behaved child and, later, teenager. Like Lucy, he is very close to Joe Coffey.
;Vivian DeWitt
Fabian’s birth mother. A hooker and a junkie who abandons Fabian and later makes an unsuccessful effort to get him back.
;Gina Srignoli
Widow of a mobster and paramour to Lieutenant Goldblume, Gina was shot by an assassin for acting as a police informant and died in Goldblume's arms. She left Goldblume $1.1 million, from which Goldblume received $80,000 after settling encumbrances with the IRS.
;Detective Manny Rodriguez
;Celeste Patterson
;Sid "The Snitch" Thurston
Ally to Lieutenant Norman Buntz; originally seen in the company of LaRue, Washington, and Belker in an undercover operation, after which he was arrested. Despite the fact that he interacts with dangerous criminals, Sid is most often a comic character, annoying his associates on both sides of the law with his grating manner. Sid wears loud clothing and is constantly broke and seeking any amount of money from Hill Street officers in exchange for information. He speaks in a roundabout manner, one apparently designed to lightly disguise descriptions of illegal activity, though he fools no one.
;Jack Ballantine
Howard Hunter's right-hand man. He rarely has much to say except in response to Lt. Hunter's orders or theories. Inwardly, however, he begins to harbor deep resentment toward Hunter. This state of affairs is completely unknown to Hunter or the audience until it is shown that he is responsible for some petty thefts of Howard's property. Once caught, Ballantine has a complete psychotic break that includes armed hostage-taking.
;Hector Ruiz
A junior member of the Diablos youth gang, Ruiz on three separate occasions takes hostages in an attempt to better his position. Frank and Joyce frequently intercede in hopes of saving him from a life of crime. Unfortunately, when Ruiz takes mayoral candidate Benjamin Fisk hostage in retaliation for not being named head of the Diablos, Ruiz is shot and killed by an EAT sharpshooter.
;Vic Hitler
A part of a three-episode story arc in the third season, Vic Hitler is arrested for excessive fines in parking tickets. He quickly reveals himself to be a stand-up comic of the "old school," with rapid fire one-liners that send the Hill Street cops into stitches. After many failures, LaRue finally manages to get Vic an engagement at a disreputable nightclub. Vic is initially a success, only to then reveal – unintentionally, in mid-performance – that he is a narcoleptic.
;Judge Lee Oberman
A no-nonsense judge who presides over numerous arraignments. He is balding with thick glasses and bushy eyebrows, and has a generally judicial demeanor. Oberman is impatient of what he feels to be baseless arrests, but never seems to raise his voice. He can also be merciful and kind without being maudlin.
;Judge Maurice Schiller
A judge often seen at arraignments, once given the nickname "Let-'em-go Moe", referencing his emphasis on correct police procedure. More irascible than Judge Oberman. Schiller is slightly disheveled looking, often wearing an ordinary shirt under his robe. He is a football fan and he once called a recess so that he, Joyce, and the other court officers could watch the end of a game in his office. Despite his friendliness with Joyce, however, he once publicly and with vitriol berated her from the bench for what he thought was improper conduct.
;Judge Milton Cole
A white-haired, bow-tie wearing judge with a reputation for harsh sentencing. To the shock of the Hill Street cops, Cole is caught picking up a payoff from a bus station locker and also accepting a bribe. He is forced to resign in disgrace and it is mentioned, almost in passing, that he commits suicide not long afterward.
;Alan Branford
A perpetrator who is sometimes arrested owing to the dangers caused by his impersonations of The Cisco Kid, Cochise, and Rambo on the streets. Always defended, via chance, by Joyce Davenport. Though he is mostly a comic character and is treated mercifully by the officers and by judges, he can also display a frightening side when he does not get his way.
;Deputy Chief Warren Briscoe
A tough, high-ranking officer who often supervises Furillo. Though Furillo is loyal to the department, he is always hesitant to carry out the policies of Briscoe when he feels Briscoe is merely trying to spare the department embarrassment or, alternately, gain some good publicity for the department. Furillo's actions tend to work out better in the end than what Briscoe proposed; nevertheless, Briscoe views Furillo as arrogant and self-righteous. He is loyal to the chief, though nowhere near as cynical.
The same actor also played a police captain named McPherson in one episode.
;Wally Nydorf
A county coroner who, because of budget shortages and lack of staffing, is constantly behind in his work. Known as having once been a brilliant medical examiner. Though Nydorf is polite to visiting police officers and infuses gallows humor into his conversation, he can turn on a dime and become loud, impatient, and irascible.
;Rob Nelson
Rob is the husband of J.D.'s sister Peggy. He runs a car lot, and his business practices are often called into question, as is his devotion to Peggy. J.D., ever the opportunist, often approaches Rob when Rob is in a tough situation, and promises him help, but only in exchange for a free car. J.D.'s schemes involving Rob almost always fall through in one way or another.
;James Logan
A pickpocket and purveyor of stolen merchandise who is frequently arrested by Belker. Apart from in his last appearance, he gives Belker a fake name, usually a comical one which refers to his merchandise. When in possession of stolen skiing equipment, for instance, he claims to be named Jean-Claude Killy; when arrested with stolen golf equipment, he claims his name is Sam Snead. Shot and killed in Season 4; he died in Belker's arms.
;Cpl. Jock Buchanan
A patrol officer who is often seen in the background. He has a mustache, a strong lower jaw, and his blonde hair is a bit on the long side. He gives the impression of being a bit older than most of the other cops. Buchanan, apparently the only corporal in the precinct, almost never has a line that rises above the background noise.
;Art Delgado
A character who is mentioned several times during the very early part of the series. When he is finally seen, it is with regard to a commission investigating corruption. Delgado is an older officer who has 29 years on the force but, due to a one-year leave of absence, only has seniority for 19. Very close to the end of his career, he has a breakdown and is unable to function. His brother officers sign him in and out as if he were still on duty, resulting in one of the very few scandals on the Hill, if not the only one, caused by Furillo himself. Furillo, however, considers his and his officers' activity an act of compassion.
;"Buck Naked" Gilbert
Famous for appearing almost randomly, opening his trenchcoat, and yelling, "I'm Buck NEKKID!" So frequently did he make this exclamation that he was once booked as "Buck Naked". At one point he is a material witness in a murder trial, but he destroys his credibility after testifying by exposing himself to the judge. Known to prefer turkey dinners, as ham "disconveniences stomach". He is once arrested and placed in a cell with a number of other inmates, at which point he delivers the following address: "Fellow Americans: I wanna address you on the subject of 'rights'! We got human rights. We got 'in-unALIENable' rights! We got the right to bear arms! An' I got a right to bear my po' black ass!" Predictably, he disrobes after this.
Gangs in ''Hill Street Blues''
was a feature in all seven seasons beginning with the first episode. Several storylines related to gang life, and the different approaches to negotiation, in particular by officers such as Furillo, Goldblume, Hunter, and to a lesser extent those of the uniform or plain clothes detective ranks.Interactions included multiple gang meetings held at the precinct to negotiate "turf" boundaries and truces in exchange for facilitating a presidential visit that did not come to pass or the return of a governor's pet dog. The gang/police meetings more often formed part of the comic rather than the dramatic elements of the series.
Gang interactions mostly centered around the Hispanic gang Los Diablos, and the fragile but productive and increasingly trusting relationship between its leader Jesus Martinez and Furillo, who even attends Martinez' wedding. Martinez, the only gang character given any extended development, moves through the series from early and relapsing belligerence, to negotiation, to finally renouncing his gang colors and qualifying as a paralegal.
David Caruso had a recurring role as Tommy Mann, the leader of a rival Irish street gang named the Shamrocks, in the early years of the series.
Danny Glover had an early career appearance in the first four episodes of season two as Jesse John Hudson, erstwhile leader of the Black Arrows, whose stated aim to "go straight" turned out to be hypocritical when he attempted to take back control of the gang with violence and murder.