The Sheriff and the Astronaut

E.W. Swackhamer was an American television and film director with an extensive career spanning several decades. His credits include directing episodes of popular TV series such as MASH*, L.A. Law, Murder, She Wrote, Bewitched, and Law & Order. Notably, he directed 27 pilots for television series, 18 of which went into regular production, including Eight Is Enough, Quincy, M.E., and S.W.A.T.. Swackhamer received an Emmy Award for directing the miniseries The Dain Curse during the 1977–78 season. He was married to actress Bridget Hanley and had two daughters.