Bosch Actor Jerry O’Donnell Training To Become Police Officer At 65

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Titus Welliver, the star of the TV show Bosch, is starting training to become a police officer in real life – and he’s 65 years old! Bosch, which ran from 2014 until recently, featured Welliver as Harry Bosch, a former special forces operative who works as a detective in Los Angeles, solving murder cases and investigating corruption within the police force.

Interestingly, Jerry O’Donnell, known for his role in the TV show Bosch, is now training to become a police officer with the Asheville Police Department in North Carolina. He recently spoke with the Asheville Watchdog about the demanding physical training and his motivation to serve the public. You can read the full interview below.

During physical training, we do circuits in the parking garage. This involves running up and down levels, combined with exercises. For example, we might run up a level, then do 15 air squats, run up again, do 50 push-ups, and then finish with 50 burpees.

You know, I’ve always believed that when life’s over, when you reach that final moment, you want to feel like you’ve lived. Not just existed, but really gone for it. I picture it like sliding into home base – completely worn out, a little roughed up, maybe even with a few battle scars. Basically, spent. That’s how I want to finish the game, you know? All used up and knowing I gave it everything I had.

I’m thankful I can still contribute and find meaning in helping others. It gives me a sense of purpose.

Jerry O’Donnell in Bosch season 5

Before becoming an actor, O’Donnell spent four years in the U.S. Army with the 82nd Airborne Division. He often played characters in law enforcement on popular TV shows, including Bosch, Dexter, Mad Men, Seal Team, Without a Trace, N.Y.P.D. Blue, and JAG.

O’Donnell is about halfway through his police academy training. He’ll take the state certification exam in mid-January, and if he passes, he’ll graduate on January 30th and officially become an officer in March. After that, he’ll complete another month of training, followed by three stages of on-the-job field training. It takes around a year total to become a fully qualified officer with the APD.

According to department spokesperson Rick Rice, O’Donnell is likely the oldest person to ever join the police force as a recruit. Most new recruits are between their 20s and early 30s, but O’Donnell is significantly older, and may be the oldest in the past 20 to 30 years.

Unlike many actors who simply play the part, O’Donnell appears to be genuinely embracing a law enforcement role. After portraying officers for years, he’s now training to become one in reality, as long as he meets all the necessary written and physical qualifications.

Based on Michael Connelly’s novels, Bosch aired for seven seasons on Prime Video from 2014 to 2021. It was followed by Bosch: Legacy, which ran for three seasons and concluded in April 2025 on Amazon Freevee. A spin-off series, Ballard, starring Maggie Q as detective Renee Ballard, debuted on Prime Video in July 2025 and has been picked up for another season.

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2025-12-01 21:18