My dad’s father was robbed and kidnapped by these killers. He was taken from his gas station in Downey California. Wish I knew more About the incident.
It happened to me. It was my worst Police experience of my life. I had seen the movie before I had my experience. I didn’t surrender my weapon and I was able to disarm my attacker. I suffered a long time from my experience. I know how they felt. The movie saved my life.
I finally read the book last year when I bought it for my Kindle. I remember hearing about it in my junior high days and seeing some of the kids reading it, but, then it was forgotten except for when one of the killers was up for parole, which I thought sucked and couldn't figure out WHY. Anyway, I really loved the way it was written, it was so heartfelt for lack of a better word, made me love Ian and Karl and their families and I don't know, it was just so written so beautifully, that is MY FAVORITE BOOK of all times and believe me, I love a lot of books and classify them as my favorites, but this one tops the list.
I have nothing to praise for Joseph warmer. I am a collector of his books. My most favorite book is the onion Field. I thought the questions that Larry asked were very insightful. I have only ever worked in law-enforcement as a reserve officer. But that’s why I wanted to try that profession. Thank you Joe.
I have the book at home. I saw the movie for the first time in the fall of 1998. It was very interesting and very scary. It is sad to see the effects that this incident can have on police officers and their families and friends
I saw the movie on the big screen in 1979. Like everyone, I was shocked when Ian Campbell was murdered and his partner Karl Hettinger was scrambling for his life. Since then, I got severe PTSD from my job in federal corrections. I went through almost identical symptoms as Karl Hettinger. The only people who understand PTSD are the ones suffering from it. PTSD is the invisible injury. I bought the book and the DVD. Probably the most riveting story that I have ever read and watched. Even today, PTSD is misunderstood and the victims are not treated as they should.
Joe Wambaugh's well written, well researched book, "The Onion Field", was required reading for officers in 1970's law enforcement with the PD I served in. Outstanding book that painted the horrible aftermath of a cop shooting of this nature. In those days a officer just "sucked-it-up" after going through such an ordeal, using brother-officers shoulders to lean on during those early days post-shooting time period. Usually, but not always, strong shots of Jack Daniel in off time periods could help. Just a band-aid, and not a very good one either. The support of your family (brother officers) was the best medicine at that time. PTSD, what the hell was that, back then?
i saw the movie and read the book. haunting and excellent work. i suffer from ptsd and yes unless one has experienced it, one probably can't understand those emotions.
PTSD Is a Modern terminology for an old condition ! After World War 1 the condition was SHELL SHOCK ! After World War 2 the same condition was now called Battle Fatigue ! Then fast forward to the Korean War ! And same condition was now ! OPERATIONAL EXHAUSTION ! Fast forward to After the Korean War ! We know have PTSD ! Although them labels started out as stresses from combat, today they apply to stresses in the workplace ( police service , fire service , and paramedics ) and for some fragile people stresses from everyday life especially after suffering emotional or physical Shock ! .
I came across this story by researching Joseph Wambaugh books. I'd never heard of it and am now glued to it. I originally came across his book 'The blooding' which I was glued to about 33 years ago. It took me this long to look him up, but I'm glad I did. I think he's become my favorite author after Agatha Christie. This story is so tragic. How could someone so smart like Greg Powell do such an awful and stupid act? Beyond me..
I would like to hear Joe Wambaugh's opinion on if Smith fired at Ian Campbell or not . Smith was eventually paroled and Powell died in prison. Maybe the parole board believed that Smith never fired a weapon that night
If I’m not mistaken, I believe the autopsy of Campbell showed that he was shot with his own weapon. Powell was the one who disarmed Campbell, not Smith. Powell tried to incriminate Smith further by blaming him for shooting Campbell after he went down but I don’t believe Smith was capable of shooting someone. He was a weak and petty thief.
It was a strong standing belief that Smith fired the four fatal shots into Campbell, using Campbell's own service weapon. Hettinger stated, when debriefed afterwards that, right after he started running, he looked back and saw Powell moving away from where Campbell was laying and began firing at him, as he ran and that at the same time he saw the four shots being fired downwards, and even though he didn't see Smith, Smith was in that same position before Hettinger took off, as Hettinger saw it. And, later Smith in his own words stated he was having bad dreams about how Campbell's arm kept jumping each time a bullet would hit him, like Campbell was trying to reach for Smith's leg. This was Smith's own statement, the movie shows this and the book mentions this fact, as well. Out of the two Powell was the most cold blooded and Smith was a coward. The reason Powell was never paroled was that, that it was him, not Smith that kidnapped the officers and it was him that decided to make Campbell drive them to Bakerfield and it was him who who was planning all along to kill the officers. Plus the fact, that he made the statement of little Lindbergh law to Campbell right before shooting him in the face. And, Powell further stalked Hettinger, as Hettinger ran into the fields that night. Smith fled in the car, leaving Powell alone right afterwards. Hope that helps!
You would think, but as Wambaugh mentioned there were other such police incidents, where officers were disarmed and as long as they didn't resist they were let go unharmed. Both Campbell and Hettinger might have known about these other incidents. And, the whole time Powell kept confirming they would be let go, as long as they the officers didn't try anything. The fact is, once Campbell was disarmed and taken hostage he was dead. The only thing that might have been different if Hettinger didn't give up his weapon is that maybe he could have shot Powell right after Powell shot Campbell. It is doubtful that Powell would have just given up, Smith maybe, but not Powell.
Choir Boys was the first Wambaugh I read. That was some crazy shit. Loved it. The one with the guy without legs, swinging from the roof on a rope or chain, something like that ... yeah, crazy shit. Read it ten years ago or so. Really have to re-read this book.
@@mygrandpasayshesd.b.cooper6200 The BOOK was great , but the movie SUCKED. That's why Wambaugh financed The Onion Field himself, with the backing of a lot of fellow cops .
Yes...the BOOK was good , but the movie SUCKED . When Wambaugh saw what they did to his book on screen , he made sure that HE was gonna be at the reins when the Onion Field went Hollywood. He's said that he mortgaged his home & borrowed a lot from his LAPD friends to finance the film . His police expertise is what made it so real and riveting .
Hettinger was unfairly judged by the department, and his fellow officers. Back then training procedures were different. Today those two would never get the drop on two officers due to better training. Newhall changed a lot of training regarding felony motor vehicle stops a decade after the onion field. But my heart goes out to Hettinger to this day. They just wouldn’t leave it alone, or leave him alone. Instead of supporting the guy, he was marginalized and outright heckled for the events that night. Yet four more LEO’s died ten years later under similar circumstances. Instead of chastising Hettinger, they should’ve been retraining to make sure this never happened again.
One might refer to PTSD as anxiety disorder which many experience for unknown reasons or sometimes after surgery. Medical profession seems to be uninterested in a cure and only treat symptoms if that. Many people believe it to be a "made-up" or "trendy" Hollywood illness. It is very real and life altering but if diagnosed quickly some behavior therapy can help.
One of the lamest interviews I've ever seen. He works for the LA Times? He asked Wambaugh multiple times if the "Onion Field" was about Karl Hettinger. Was he even listening to his interviewee? Also, his incompetence in not following up intriguing responses from Wambaugh and the Times historian were nothing less than journalistic malpractice. This guy was just phoning it in with these two fascinating guests.
Powell disarmed Campbell first, as Campbell ordered him out of the car and Campbell still had his weapon holstered and Powell managed to pull his out, as he was getting out of the car. Hettinger surrendered his, after Campbell told him to, once Powell had him at gun point behind him.
Karl Hettinger was treated horribly after this tragic incident. He watched his partner die and was then hunted by the two killers, making a frightening escape in the middle of nowhere in the pitch blackness. The LAPD made him feel as if it were his fault. Terrible.
![Cordae - Saturday Mornings (feat. Lil Wayne) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/z2GYJua09F0/mqdefault.jpg)
I read the book in high school and the movie was one of the first I saw on my first VCR. Both the book and the movie are very worthwhile.
My dad’s father was robbed and kidnapped by these killers. He was taken from his gas station in Downey California. Wish I knew more About the incident.
It happened to me. It was my worst Police experience of my life. I had seen the movie before I had my experience. I didn’t surrender my weapon and I was able to disarm my attacker. I suffered a long time from my experience. I know how they felt. The movie saved my life.
BLACKJACK2432 bless u for your service 💗
Bless you for your service and we're glad you're okay
You've got to live it to fully understand how it feels. Glad you're ok.
I finally read the book last year when I bought it for my Kindle. I remember hearing about it in my junior high days and seeing some of the kids reading it, but, then it was forgotten except for when one of the killers was up for parole, which I thought sucked and couldn't figure out WHY. Anyway, I really loved the way it was written, it was so heartfelt for lack of a better word, made me love Ian and Karl and their families and I don't know, it was just so written so beautifully, that is MY FAVORITE BOOK of all times and believe me, I love a lot of books and classify them as my favorites, but this one tops the list.
I have nothing to praise for Joseph warmer. I am a collector of his books. My most favorite book is the onion Field. I thought the questions that Larry asked were very insightful. I have only ever worked in law-enforcement as a reserve officer. But that’s why I wanted to try that profession. Thank you Joe.
Last name Joseph Wambaugh
I have the book at home. I saw the movie for the first time in the fall of 1998. It was very interesting and very scary. It is sad to see the effects that this incident can have on police officers and their families and friends
I saw the movie on the big screen in 1979. Like everyone, I was shocked when Ian Campbell was murdered and his partner Karl Hettinger was scrambling for his life.
Since then, I got severe PTSD from my job in federal corrections. I went through almost identical symptoms as Karl Hettinger. The only people who understand PTSD are the ones suffering from it. PTSD is the invisible injury.
I bought the book and the DVD. Probably the most riveting story that I have ever read and watched.
Even today, PTSD is misunderstood and the victims are not treated as they should.
Joe Wambaugh's well written, well researched book, "The Onion Field", was required reading for officers in 1970's law enforcement with the PD I served in. Outstanding book that painted the horrible aftermath of a cop shooting of this nature. In those days a officer just "sucked-it-up" after going through such an ordeal, using brother-officers shoulders to lean on during those early days post-shooting time period. Usually, but not always, strong shots of Jack Daniel in off time periods could help. Just a band-aid, and not a very good one either. The support of your family (brother officers) was the best medicine at that time. PTSD, what the hell was that, back then?
i saw the movie and read the book. haunting and excellent work. i suffer from ptsd and yes unless one has experienced it, one probably can't understand those emotions.
PTSD Is a Modern terminology for an old condition ! After World War 1 the condition was SHELL SHOCK ! After World War 2 the same condition was now called Battle Fatigue ! Then fast forward to the Korean War ! And same condition was now ! OPERATIONAL EXHAUSTION ! Fast forward to After the Korean War ! We know have PTSD ! Although them labels started out as stresses from combat, today they apply to stresses in the workplace ( police service , fire service , and paramedics ) and for some fragile people stresses from everyday life especially after suffering emotional or physical Shock ! .
I came across this story by researching Joseph Wambaugh books. I'd never heard of it and am now glued to it. I originally came across his book 'The blooding' which I was glued to about 33 years ago. It took me this long to look him up, but I'm glad I did. I think he's become my favorite author after Agatha Christie. This story is so tragic. How could someone so smart like Greg Powell do such an awful and stupid act? Beyond me..
I would like to hear Joe Wambaugh's opinion on if Smith fired at Ian Campbell or not . Smith was eventually paroled and Powell died in prison. Maybe the parole board believed that Smith never fired a weapon that night
If I’m not mistaken, I believe the autopsy of Campbell showed that he was shot with his own weapon. Powell was the one who disarmed Campbell, not Smith. Powell tried to incriminate Smith further by blaming him for shooting Campbell after he went down but I don’t believe Smith was capable of shooting someone. He was a weak and petty thief.
All due respect top Joseph Wambaugh...I am a MAJOR fan of his work. Does anyone know if he has published any new books?
It was a strong standing belief that Smith fired the four fatal shots into Campbell, using Campbell's own service weapon. Hettinger stated, when debriefed afterwards that, right after he started running, he looked back and saw Powell moving away from where Campbell was laying and began firing at him, as he ran and that at the same time he saw the four shots being fired downwards, and even though he didn't see Smith, Smith was in that same position before Hettinger took off, as Hettinger saw it. And, later Smith in his own words stated he was having bad dreams about how Campbell's arm kept jumping each time a bullet would hit him, like Campbell was trying to reach for Smith's leg. This was Smith's own statement, the movie shows this and the book mentions this fact, as well. Out of the two Powell was the most cold blooded and Smith was a coward. The reason Powell was never paroled was that, that it was him, not Smith that kidnapped the officers and it was him that decided to make Campbell drive them to Bakerfield and it was him who who was planning all along to kill the officers. Plus the fact, that he made the statement of little Lindbergh law to Campbell right before shooting him in the face. And, Powell further stalked Hettinger, as Hettinger ran into the fields that night. Smith fled in the car, leaving Powell alone right afterwards. Hope that helps!
Just the fact they were being driven so far from LA would be suspicious.
You would think, but as Wambaugh mentioned there were other such police incidents, where officers were disarmed and as long as they didn't resist they were let go unharmed. Both Campbell and Hettinger might have known about these other incidents. And, the whole time Powell kept confirming they would be let go, as long as they the officers didn't try anything. The fact is, once Campbell was disarmed and taken hostage he was dead. The only thing that might have been different if Hettinger didn't give up his weapon is that maybe he could have shot Powell right after Powell shot Campbell. It is doubtful that Powell would have just given up, Smith maybe, but not Powell.
TY
choir boys is a good book also
Choir Boys was the first Wambaugh I read. That was some crazy shit. Loved it. The one with the guy without legs, swinging from the roof on a rope or chain, something like that ... yeah, crazy shit. Read it ten years ago or so. Really have to re-read this book.
@@mygrandpasayshesd.b.cooper6200 The BOOK was great , but the movie SUCKED. That's why Wambaugh financed The Onion Field himself, with the backing of a lot of fellow cops .
ROSCOE RULES!!! "...I'll make him do the chicken!..."
Yes...the BOOK was good , but the movie SUCKED . When Wambaugh saw what they did to his book on screen , he made sure that HE was gonna be at the reins when the Onion Field went Hollywood. He's said that he mortgaged his home & borrowed a lot from his LAPD friends to finance the film . His police expertise is what made it so real and riveting .
This crime scared me out of my mind! My heart goes out to Hettinger
Whatever the noises are in the background they are intrusive and I had to stop watching video. U might want to fix that
You had Shell Shock.
Hettinger was unfairly judged by the department, and his fellow officers. Back then training procedures were different. Today those two would never get the drop on two officers due to better training. Newhall changed a lot of training regarding felony motor vehicle stops a decade after the onion field. But my heart goes out to Hettinger to this day. They just wouldn’t leave it alone, or leave him alone. Instead of supporting the guy, he was marginalized and outright heckled for the events that night. Yet four more LEO’s died ten years later under similar circumstances. Instead of chastising Hettinger, they should’ve been retraining to make sure this never happened again.
One might refer to PTSD as anxiety disorder which many experience for unknown reasons or sometimes after surgery. Medical profession seems to be uninterested in a cure and only treat symptoms if that. Many people believe it to be a "made-up" or "trendy" Hollywood illness. It is very real and life altering but if diagnosed quickly some behavior therapy can help.
LA Times is a piece of trash.
One of the lamest interviews I've ever seen. He works for the LA Times?
He asked Wambaugh multiple times if the "Onion Field" was about Karl Hettinger. Was he even listening to his interviewee? Also, his incompetence in not following up intriguing responses from Wambaugh and the Times historian were nothing less than journalistic malpractice.
This guy was just phoning it in with these two fascinating guests.
Ed Kemper
So Flounder became a reporter after college? Good for him
Lousy interviewer, tho'.
🤣🤣🤣
Worst interview ever !!
I still need to know how those criminals got the police officer s guns??
They gave them up instead of shooting them Never give up your guns You hear that australia?
Powell disarmed Campbell first, as Campbell ordered him out of the car and Campbell still had his weapon holstered and Powell managed to pull his out, as he was getting out of the car. Hettinger surrendered his, after Campbell told him to, once Powell had him at gun point behind him.
interesting-vote republican
Karl Hettinger was treated horribly after this tragic incident. He watched his partner die and was then hunted by the two killers, making a frightening escape in the middle of nowhere in the pitch blackness. The LAPD made him feel as if it were his fault. Terrible.