John "Hawk" Hawkins is a detective in the New York City Police Department.
History[]
In 1983 he acquired a measure of fame for collaring Roger Berry, who was believed to be the Soho Strangler. When the real Strangler resurfaced 18 years later, Hawk teamed up with Detective Elliot Stabler to track him down.
Stabler considers Hawkins to be a cowboy cop. He often considers him a grand-stander and has nicknamed him "Wyatt Earp." Other police officers know him for being an alcoholic. As it turns out the real culprit was Arthur Blessard, who Hawk previously went to and framed Berry. With help from Stabler, Hawk pursued Blessard. Hawk had chased Blessard, who ran and nearly fell off a roof in the process. Hawk was in a moral dilemma, as to let Blessard fall from the roof for his crimes or save him to face proper justice before he was persuaded to save him by Stabler. He is able to redeem himself by reading the charges to Blessard. (SVU: "Redemption")