Ep 15. Officer Involved

Officer Involved, the 15th episode of the first season of Third Watch, revolves around the shooting of a suspect by officer Franco. The episode opens with Franco (played by Michael Beach) being interrogated by IAB (Internal Affairs Bureau) about the incident. He recounts the events leading up to the shooting: while on patrol, he and his partner, Torres (played by Jason Wiles), responded to a call about a domestic disturbance. Upon arriving at the scene, they found a man and a woman arguing in an apartment.

As Franco and Torres tried to defuse the situation, the man pulled a knife on them, prompting Franco to use his firearm in self-defense. The man was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, and the shooting was deemed to be under investigation. Franco feels justified in his actions, but the IAB investigation looms over him, and he starts to worry about the implications of the incident.

Meanwhile, Bosco (played by Jason Beghe) and Yokas (played by Molly Price) respond to a call about a fire at a drug rehabilitation clinic. Upon arriving, they try to evacuate the patients and staff, but a few of them refuse to leave, insisting on finishing their meeting before vacating the premises. As Bosco and Yokas try to persuade them to leave, the fire quickly spreads, trapping some of the occupants inside.

Bosco makes the split-second decision to break a window and enter the building to save the trapped patients, despite the risk to his own life. He manages to rescue them, but the incident earns him a reprimand from his superiors, who frown upon his recklessness.

Additionally, the episode delves into the personal lives of the characters. Bosco tries to help his mother, who is struggling with alcoholism, while Yokas copes with the stress of her job and taking care of her children. Meanwhile, Sully (played by Skipp Sudduth) reconciles with his estranged father (played by legendary actor Ernest Borgnine), who has come to visit him after being diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Overall, Officer Involved is a tense and gripping episode that highlights the dangers and complexities of police work. The episode examines the high-pressure situations that officers find themselves in on a daily basis, as well as the emotional toll that these incidents can have on them and their loved ones. It also showcases the camaraderie and loyalty that the characters have for one another, as they support each other through the challenges of their jobs and personal lives.