The final episode of the hard-hitting police drama 'NYPD Blue' has been broadcast in the US, ending the show after 12 years.
In the finale, actor Dennis Franz's Sipowicz character, just named squad commander, lets an investigation continue that nails a high-roller for murder despite an effort from his superiors to nail someone else.
The series about a New York police station, made its debut in 1993 and earned a reputation over the years for pushing the barrier.
Nominated a total of 82 times, the show has won 20 Emmy awards.
Only actors Franz and Gordon Clapp, who played detective Greg Medavoy, remained as cast members from the first show to the final 261st episode.
Sipowicz was not originally written to survive the first episode but his flawed character became the centre of the show.
Steven Bochco, who created the show with David Milch, is behind new series 'Blind Justice' which will fill 'NYPD Blue's US time slot from 8 March.
