Editing NYPD Blue (section)

===Seasons 6–8===
{{Main|NYPD Blue season 6}} {{Main|NYPD Blue season 7}} {{Main|NYPD Blue season 8}}
[[NYPD Blue season 6|Season six]] is a major turning point for the series, as Smits decided not to renew his contract and left the show. In episode five, "Heart and Souls", just episodes after marrying Russell, Simone dies due to an [[enlarged heart]] and a subsequent infection caused by complications from a [[heart transplant]]. Smits was replaced by [[Rick Schroder]], as Det. [[Danny Sorenson]].

Two additional critical incidents occur during season six, the heroin overdose death of PAA Dolores Mayo (played by [[Lola Glaudini]]), and the death of Costas, who is accidentally gunned down by Mayo's distraught father at the trial of the suspect accused in Mayo's death. Costas's final words to Sipowicz, "Take care of the baby", led to his initial withdrawal from the squad. Yet, his keen perceptiveness allows him to gain a confession from the suspect in Mayo's death, who had tried to buy his way out of trouble. Furthermore, Sipowicz reaches a level of understanding with PAA [[John Irvin (NYPD Blue)|John Irvin]] (portrayed by [[Bill Brochtrup]]), whose homosexuality had been a stumbling block for Sipowicz in their interactions to that point.

The next two seasons had the continuation of Sipowicz's relationship with Sorenson (in whom Sipowicz sees a resemblance to his late son), along with more changes in the squad. Departing during this time were Kirkendall (due to her unknowing involvement in her ex-husband's dirty dealings), Martinez (following his promotion to uniformed sergeant), Fancy as squad leader (following his promotion to captain), and Russell (for a [[leave of absence]] to grieve the loss of Simone). Arriving to replace them are Det. Baldwin Jones (played by [[Henry Simmons]]), Det. Connie McDowell (played by [[Charlotte Ross]]), and [[Lt. Tony Rodriguez]] (played by [[Esai Morales]]). Also arriving in [[NYPD Blue season 8|season eight]] was new full-time ADA Valerie Haywood (played by [[Garcelle Beauvais|Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon]]).

At the end of season eight, Sorenson is approached by the owners of a strip club to work for them providing information. Still reeling from Russell's abruptly ending their brief affair, he accepts the offer. After reporting to Lt. Rodriguez, Sorenson goes undercover, but then goes missing, after a stripper he was seeing turns up dead in his apartment (though not by his doing). The Sorenson character was written out at the start of [[NYPD Blue season 9|season nine]], at Schroder's request; he wanted to spend more time with his family.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=104413&page=1|title=Schroder Leaves Blue Squad|date=2006-01-06|website=ABC News|language=en|access-date=2018-11-14}}</ref>
[[File:NYPD Blue (cast photo - season 11).jpg|250px|left|thumb|L–R, the cast of ''NYPD Blue'' at the beginning of season 11: Clapp, Gosselaar, Obradors, Beauvais-Nilon, Franz, Simmons, Ross, Brochtrup, Morales]]