S.W.A.T.

 April 3, 1976, the final episode of S.W.A.T. aired on ABC.

Developed by Rick Husky and created by Robert Hamner, the series was produced by Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg under Spelling-Goldberg Productions. A spin-off of The Rookies, it aired for two seasons from February 24, 1975 to April 3, 1976.

The show starred Steve Forrest, Robert Urich, Rod Perry, Mark Shera, and James Coleman as members of a Special Weapons and Tactics team operating in a California city. Filmed in and around Los Angeles, the series also benefited from technical advice by a former LAPD SWAT officer, adding to its sense of realism.

The show’s iconic theme, composed by Barry De Vorzon and performed by Rhythm Heritage, became a major hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976. Despite strong ratings, concerns over television violence contributed to the show’s cancellation after just two seasons.

The legacy of S.W.A.T. continued with a 2003 feature film adaptation and a 2017 television reboot, proving the enduring appeal of the high-intensity police drama.