Editing NYPD Blue (section)

===Seasons 9–12===
{{Main|NYPD Blue season 9}} {{Main|NYPD Blue season 10}} {{Main|NYPD Blue season 11}} {{Main|NYPD Blue season 12}}
[[NYPD Blue season 9|Season nine]] initially tied in with the [[September 11 terrorist attacks]]. In the "Sorenson missing" storyline, continuing from the previous season, a suspect trades immunity for a robbery and shooting in exchange for information on a buried rug in Brooklyn that turns out to contain Sorenson's dead body.

Assisting on the investigation is Officer [[John Clark Jr.]], played by [[Mark-Paul Gosselaar]]. He is promoted to detective third grade for his heroic actions in the shootout that ended with the death of the hitman who had murdered Danny and an undercover federal agent; Sipowicz is promoted to detective first grade at the same time. Fancy had previously recommended Sipowicz for first grade at the same time as Simone for a high-profile case they both worked several years earlier; while Simone was promoted, the negative incidents in his past caused the department to deny Sipowicz's promotion.

The newly minted Det. Clark becomes Sipowicz's newest (and greenest) partner. As had occurred with Simone and Sorenson, initially tension exists between Clark and Sipowicz, largely due to an old feud from years earlier involving Sipowicz and Clark's father, John Clark Sr. ([[Joe Spano]]), an average, by-the-book detective from a low-crime precinct, who is enraged that his son chose to join the 15th Precinct to work with Andy. Season nine also has the introduction of Det. [[Rita Ortiz]] (played by [[Jacqueline Obradors]]). Two other actresses were first cast in roles as young, Latina detectives who were intended to be regular cast members; one was dropped in the prefilming process over creative differences, and [[Vanessa Marcil]] made an appearance as Det. Maria Olivera in the season-9 premiere, with the possibility of becoming a regular cast member. Producers were not convinced about Marcil, and made her character a one-time guest role, then continued casting until they hired Obradors. (Marcil did come back for another one-episode guest spot in season 11).

The remaining four years had a continuing focus on Sipowicz as the main character, as had been the case since Simone's death. Another unlikely romance developed between Sipowicz and Connie McDowell. This came about due to her ability to stand up to Sipowicz's gruffness, and her tender relationship with Theo (played by Austin Majors). They eventually married, and after adopting McDowell's sister's baby daughter (following the sister's murder by her husband, Connie's brother-in-law), had a child of their own. The McDowell character eventually became an off-screen character in the second half of the 11th season and throughout the final season due to issues between Ross and show executives.

Rodriguez was written out halfway through the 11th season, after his IAB enemy Capt. Pat Fraker shot and nearly killed him in a drunken rage, then was acquitted; the acquittal, combined with him not making the captain's promotion list, caused him to retire and take a lucrative job in private security. Sgt. Eddie Gibson, played by former NYPD officer [[John F. O'Donohue]], replaced Lt. Rodriguez as squad commander.  Gibson had previously served in the squad both on night watch and briefly on the "day tour". Haywood, after failing to convict Fraker for Rodriguez's shooting, appeared in fewer episodes and then left at the end of the [[NYPD Blue season 11|11th season]]. Kelly Ronson, played by [[Jessalyn Gilsig]], replaced McDowell, and appeared in a handful of episodes in the closing stretch of season 11. Ronson was never a main-credits character and did not return in season 12. Lt. Thomas Bale, played by [[Currie Graham]], replaced Gibson at the start of [[NYPD Blue season 12|season 12]]. Det. [[Laura Murphy (NYPD Blue)|Laura Murphy]], played by [[Bonnie Somerville]], replaced Ronson.

In the final few episodes, the storylines revolved around the impending retirement of Det. Medavoy and Sipowicz's promotion to sergeant and later assumption of command of the 15th Detective Squad. The series finale introduced two new young detectives named Quinn and Slovak, who echoed the first days of Irish-American Kelly and Polish-American Sipowicz.