Phil Cerreta

Cerreta is portrayed as an Italian-American Catholic that became Detective Mike Logan's (Chris Noth) partner after Max Greevey (George Dzundza) was murdered in the line of duty. Little has been revealed about Cerreta's personal life except that he was born in 1947 and he served in the military before becoming a police officer in 1969. His family has a history in the textile and printing businesses, and they are loyal trade union members.[1] He & his wife Elaine (played by Maria Cellario) have five children, one of which is a fifteen (15) year old daughter named Linda.[2][3]

Cerreta, a sergeant, joins the 27th Detective Squad after Sgt. Max Greevey was killed.[4] Greevey's partner, Det. Mike Logan, is initially very critical of Cerreta, who led the investigation into Greevey's death. Cerreta was initially seen by Logan as an interloper, however, they developed a close working relationship.

Like most detective characters on Law & Order during the early scenes, Ceretta carries a Smith & Wesson Model 36 revolver as his service weapon. In the first episode, he mentioned that he has never used his weapon in the line of duty during his entire law enforcement career.[5]

Cerreta goes on an undercover sting operation in a case involving a black-market gun dealer named George Lobrano (Mark Margolis), However, the hyperactive dealer panicked and shot Cerreta in the stomach twice, with one bullet's trajectory ending near his spine. Cerreta survives, but the bullet damages his nerves and leaves him with permanent weakness in his legs.[5] Cerreta later agreed to allow the DA's office to make a plea bargain agreement with the gun dealer, in which his charges were downgraded in exchange for providing testimony in the hopes of convicting a cartel hitman.

Believing he can no longer hold the post of a street cop after being shot, Cerreta ended his partnership with Logan and was transferred to an administrative position at the 110th Precinct. He was succeeded by Lennie Briscoe (Jerry Orbach).[6]