In the Heat of the Night - Season 3 (1989)

The Sparta Police Department welcome their first female officer.

Wilson Sweet puts his job on the line when he takes a personal stake in the case of a 13-year-old drug addict.

Chief Gillespie recounts the events surrounding his kidnapping and the killing of his temporary replacement.

Parker puts himself in a compromising position when he becomes protective of a friend who is accused of the murder of a private investigator.

Bubba Skinner is trailed by the family of a man he killed during an armed robbery attempt.

A Vietnamese teenager comes to town, claiming to be the son of one of Chief Gillespie's GI friends. The Chief must help the boy when he gets himself accused of the murder of a comvienence store owner.

A former prize fighter chooses blackmail over testimony when he is called upon by the FBI to testify against an old mob boss.

Chief Gillespie's close friend stands accused of the murder of the doctor who misdiagnosed his wife's terminal cancer.

A local man, thought to be quiet and reserved, murders his wife and her lover when he walks in on them, then holds his daughter hostage.

A young boy refuses to speak after he witnesses his father's murder.

When Chief Gillespie investigates a death at a nursing home, he receives assistance from another resident there who is a former cop.

The Sparta Police uncover the shocking living conditions of a high school student, after Althea Tibbs asks them to investigate the residence after the girl's fifth truancy.

Bubba's former acquaintance leaves a baby on his doorstep.

A minister is killed when he attempts to close down a brothel in Sparta.

Althea grieves when an impoverished coworker dies in a hit-and-run accident, while the Police investigate the incident.

Althea's friend comes to town and becomes attracted to Officer Sweet while she is on the run for murdering her married lover.

Gillespie and Tibbs clash over who the guilty party is in the murder of a cab driver, until a local informant provides some vital information.

Harriet Delong's sister is killed in a murder ordered by her married lover, the wealthiest man in Sparta. Harriet accuses the police department of not properly bringing the mam to justice.

Through a search of the killer's house, the smoking gun is found to pin the guilty party. Bill Gillespie and Harriet Delong are asked to be godparents to the Tibbs' expectant child.