Who played the chief Gillespie In The Heat of the Night?

In the television series "In the Heat of the Night," the character Chief Bill Gillespie was portrayed by actor Carroll O'Connor. The show aired from 1988 to 1995 and was based on the 1967 film of the same name. O'Connor was well-known for his role in "All in the Family" before taking on the role of Gillespie. His performance received critical acclaim and contributed to the show's popularity.