Karl Hettinger

Karl Francis Hettinger[1] (October 29, 1934 - May 4, 1994) was an American police officer of the Los Angeles Police Department from 1958 to 1963. Hettinger formerly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1952 to 1958 and served in the Korean War and Vietnam War. He was known for surviving the "Onion Field" incident, in which he and his partner, Officer Ian Campbell, were kidnapped on the night of March 9, 1963, by criminals Gregory Powell and Jimmy Lee Smith and taken to an onion field near Bakersfield, California where Officer Campbell was fatally shot.[2][3][4]

Hettinger's story is depicted in Joseph Wambaugh's 1973 nonfiction book, The Onion Field. The book was adapted into a 1979 feature film of the same name in which Hettinger was portrayed by John Savage.[5][6][7][8]

  1. ^ Niemi, Robert (2013). Inspired by True Events: An Illustrated Guide to More Than 500 History-Based Films, 2nd Edition: An Illustrated Guide to More Than 500 History-Based Films. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781610691987. page 489
  2. ^ "Karl Hettinger; 'Onion Field' Officer, 59". The New York Times. 6 May 1994. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  3. ^ "Karl Hettinger". The Blade (Toledo, Ohio). 5 May 1994. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  4. ^ "Karl Hettinger, 'Onion Field' figure". The Telegraph (Nashua). 5 May 1994. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  5. ^ Maslin, Janet (9 December 1979). "Movie's translation of book bogs down in details". Lawrence Journal-World. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  6. ^ "A look at criminals can be too close up". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2 November 1980. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  7. ^ Hazlett, Terry (4 December 1979). "Onion Field Gripping; Probable Oscar Contender". Observer–Reporter. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  8. ^ Dresser, Norman (9 November 1979). "'Onion Field' Outstanding For Its Acting And Story". The Blade (Toledo, Ohio). Retrieved 19 May 2016.