One Good Cop

Artie Lewis and his partner Stevie Diroma endure a brutal confrontation while patrolling a New York City housing project. They come out battered but alive, reaffirming their commitment to the job and to each other. The clash sets a hard, realistic tone for the dangers they face every day.

Stevie is killed in the line of duty during a hostage situation carried out by drug addict Mickey Garrett. Artie is devastated by the loss of his partner and friend. Stevie's death leaves his three young daughters orphaned and changes the course of Artie's life.

Stevie's will names Artie as the legal guardian of his three daughters. Artie and Rita take the children in and want to adopt them, revealing that they cannot have children of their own. The family begins to form under intense emotional strain.

Child Welfare Services declare the apartment too small for three kids, and Barbara's diabetes requires daily insulin. To gain approval, Artie believes he must buy a larger house and raise a sizable down payment. The pressure to provide stability builds rapidly.

With no down payment available, Artie devises a dangerous plan to rob drug kingpin Beniamino Rios, whom he has investigated. He understands Rios's drugs are connected to Stevie's death and the girls' plight. The plan places Artie in direct conflict with the law he has sworn to uphold.

Artie carries out the robbery and puts $25,000 toward the house down payment. He gives the remaining money to Father Wills, who runs a shelter for the street kids, and confesses the truth to Rita. The act ties his duty as a detective to his newfound paternal resolve.

Father Wills returns most of the stolen money, admitting he used only $200 for a museum trip with the shelter's children. The rest is made up by Artie's co-workers, who provide the needed funds. This reveals the complex, hidden support system surrounding Artie.

Grace De Feliz, Beniamino's girlfriend, is revealed as an undercover narcotics agent. She blows her cover to save Artie and helps them fight their way free. The duo ends up forced to kill Beniamino and his colleagues to escape.

Artie writes a confession to Lt. Quinn, preparing to surrender for his crime. The federal government walks away from the case to avoid compromising its agents, delaying any immediate action. The confession marks a turning point in his moral dilemma.

Grace refuses to testify against Artie after learning his actions were motivated by fatherly love rather than greed. With the case effectively stalled, the federal government withdraws, avoiding a prosecution that could threaten its agents. The tension between duty and loyalty remains unresolved.

Lieutenant Danny Quinn, short-staffed and loyal to Artie's slain partner, decides not to file charges. He tears up the confession and sends Artie home to his wife and children. The decision preserves the fragile balance between law, family, and sacrifice.

Relieved, Artie calls Rita to tell her he is coming home early and that their family is intact. The burden lifts as they prepare to start anew. The homecoming completes the arc from crime to family and marks a cautious, hopeful ending.