Chuck Norris Dies at 86: Check Out His 5 Best Law Enforcement Roles

Chuck Norris died Thursday at his home in Hawaii, his family announced Friday. At 85, his celebrity was like an exquisitely cut diamond, sparkling no matter what facet was struck by the spotlight. Martial artist. Action movie and TV star. Internet meme.

On and offscreen, Norris had a strong association with law enforcement. He was a U.S. Air Force police officer in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Over four decades later, he was named an honorary Texas Ranger, a distinction he earned thanks to his portrayal as lawmen with the state's legendary peacekeeping agency.

With his passing, here's a look at Norris' quintessential law enforcement roles over the years.

1. An Eye for an Eye (1981)

With Breaker! Breaker! and Good Guys Wear Black, Norris had established himself as a leading man in martial arts-heavy action movies. An Eye for an Eye was the first film he portrayed a police officer. As San Francisco Police Det. Sean Kane, Norris takes on the illegal drug trade as he avenges his partner and his partner's girlfriend, who were killed so … well, so Norris can avenge them and kick ass.

2. Silent Rage (1982)

This movie asks: What happens when an indestructible man meets the irresistible force that is Chuck Norris? The answer: Lots of fighting that ends with a roundhouse kicking finale that seemingly ends with Norris' Texas sheriff knocking the bad guy down a well. But can even Chuck Norris kill an indestructible man? Since there has never been a Silent Rage 2, we'll never know.

3. Lone Wolf McQuade (1983)

The first of two Texas ranger portrayals that earned Norris the agency's respect. As the title suggests, Norris' J.J. McQuade doesn't work well with others—except his recently retired friend and fellow ranger, Dakota Brown (L.Q. Jones). Obviously, that doesn't bode well for Brown. The Norris applies his patented movie formula to this endeavor: fist fighting plus foot fighting plus gun fighting multiplied by lots of revenging … carry the eight … equals violence a-plenty as McQuade goes after David Carradine's nasty arms dealer, Rawley Wilkes.

Besides beginning Norris' association with the Texas Rangers, the movie stands out for its great character names and a fantastic scene in which Norris takes out the bad guys by practically spinning 360 degrees while firing a MAC-10 with an inexhaustible magazine.

4. Walker, Texas Ranger (1993-2001)

If Chuck Norris is remembered for one thing, this TV series would be it. Walker marked Norris' transition from action movie leading man to a cultural institution. The series also led to a spinoff, Martial Law, which introduced U.S. TV audiences to the great Hong Kong action star Sammo Hung.

5. Code of Silence (1985)

Let's be honest, Norris' oeuvre is filled with many more misses than hits. His popularity as a meme late in his career played off the ironic juxtaposition of his image and the quality of movies and TV shows he was in. Code of Silence, however, is legitimately entertaining action film.

This movie started out as a possible Dirty Harry installment, and it's one of Norris' best roles as Chicago Police Sgt. Eddie Cusack. It leverages Norris' strengths—a loner who won't stop until justice is served—and has a great co-star performance by the late Dennis Farina early in his career. Code of Silence also is one of the great Chicago movies, featuring a fantastic L train fight scene and the requisite Lower Wacker Drive pursuit (if you're from Chicago, you know).

Chuck Norris, RIP (Rest in Punches)