"The Onion Field made a real writer. And then I knew it was over, I couldn't be a cop anymore"

This quote by Joseph Wambaugh is a reflection on his experience as a policeman. The Onion Field was a notorious case in which two law enforcement officers were kidnapped and one was murdered. This event had an extensive impact on Wambaugh, as it made him understand that he might no longer be a policeman. He felt that the tragedy of The Onion Field had actually made him a genuine writer, as it had actually required him to confront the harsh realities of life and death. Wambaugh's quote is a testimony to the power of disaster and how it can form an individual's life. It is a pointer that life is fragile and that we must be prepared to face the consequences of our actions.