Stephen Downing, renowned for his roles as a police officer, television writer, and showrunner, passed away at age 87 due to sepsis. His career spanned over 30 years in television, where he contributed to more than 500 hours of crime dramas, including roles as technical advisor on 'Adam-12', scriptwriter for 'Dragnet' and 'Walking Tall', and producer for series like 'Knight Rider' and 'RoboCop'. His most notable work was as showrunner for 'MacGyver', where he made the decision to keep the protagonist unarmed, emphasizing creativity and non-violence. Downing was also a dedicated advocate for police reform and drug policy change, criticizing the War on Drugs and advocating for treating drug abuse as a medical issue. His police career began in 1960 with the LAPD, where he rose to Deputy Chief and helped establish rules for deadly force. Deeply committed to justice, he became a vocal critic of police misconduct and the use of aggressive tactics, especially in recent years through his journalism in Long Beach. His investigative reporting uncovered issues like the LAPD's use of disappearing messaging apps and local political scandals, inspiring community activism. Downing was married to Adrienne for 67 years and is survived by his family. He was remembered as a virtuous policeman, a compassionate father, and a dedicated writer who believed violence should be a last resort.