A lawbreaker who has served his time in prison tries to resume his place in society but meets resistance. Chad Smith attempts to help the man get started but finds he cannot change people's attitudes.
Brian's new friend is a young girl being raised by her older brother. Chad arrests the man when it's discovered that he's involved in a radical group planning a bombing. The question now is, what will become of the little girl?
When someone begins an open season on the police force Betty worries more than usual. An unusual early morning phone call to Chad arouses Betty's instincts but she feels helpless to do anything.
Chad is used to his neighbors who consider him their private police force. But things turn personal when hippies rent a house on the block, and Chad is expected to be the spokesman to tell them they're not welcome.
Chad joins a task force to take down some gun-runners, two of which are ex-cons with a grudge against him. Chad tries to keep news of this dangerous duty from the family while dealing with his own anxiety.
Cindy's friend Lynn seems to have it all with wealthy parents who lavish her with gifts. When Lynn runs away to find herself, Chad is assigned to the parents' missing persons report.
A man ingratiates himself with Betty and the kids, telling them he's an old friend of Chad's. He's actually an ex-con who wants revenge on Chad for arresting him.
After being roughed up while apprehending two suspects, Chad is temporarily reassigned to desk duty. Betty wonders if it's time for Chad to make this a permanent career move.
Brian befriends an elderly man, a retired sheriff from turn-of-the-century Pecos County, Texas. When the man's remote cabin is scheduled to be torn down for a housing development he takes up arms, with a visiting Brian alongside him.
Chad's ex-fiancee Lisa from his college days shows up, asking for help with her son who's been accused of car theft. Betty and the kids wonder if she's also interested in rekindling a relationship with Chad.
When a school classroom is vandalized by students, Bob wonders if peer pressure would stop him from naming the vandal. His principles are tested when he learns who they are and they're planning arson next.
Chad and Betty's anniversary may have to wait when Chad is tied up with a bad day at the precinct, first a cop killer who escapes custody and then a bomb threat against the station.
An old friend of Chad and Betty's is a successful trial attorney. The lawyer tries to use that friendship when he's hired to defend a young man that Chad arrested for murder, and vigorously cross-examines Chad in court.
A faded Hollywood starlet turns up in the precinct drunk tank. When Cindy and Bob hear about her from Chad, they take it upon themselves to bring her home and help her get back on her feet.
Chad trades a shift for a family commitment, and the detective working in his stead is killed during a routine call. Out of guilt, the Smith family begins overdoing favors for the dead officer's family.
A truck driver rescues Brian after he's hit by a car. The appreciative Smiths befriend the man, but his behavior raises suspicions in Chad. An investigation reveals that he's a fugitive from a murder conviction.
The Smiths want to make a home improvement so Chad takes an extra job working security for a wealthy man who is being threatened with home break-ins. Chad's investigates the man's background and he learns all is not what it appears.
Chad deals with a worried father of Cindy's friend. Trust is the issue and Chad advises the man to put more trust in his daughter. Cindy's planned overnight camping trip puts Chad in the position of questioning his own advice.
Chad and his partner investigate the bombing of an underground newspaper office. The publisher's anti-establishment attitude tends to obstruct their effort, as well as generate freedom of the press discussions at work and at home.
Chad's old partner is the new Police Commissioner who dangles an attractive offer to Chad for a promotion and reassignment to the PC's office. Meanwhile, Cindy tells her parents she's not sold on the institution of marriage.
Chad's temporary partner has anger issues due to the job's stress on his marriage. Chad confides that he and Betty had the same problem in their early married days, and invite him to spend some time with the Smith family.
The Christmas season brings the usual collection of muggers, shoplifters and pickpockets to the precinct, while Chad and Betty deal with an empty house as each of the kids enjoys a holiday trip.
Bob considers joining the police force after graduation and is invited for a ride-along with two patrolmen. After witnessing and running from a shootout, he wonders if he'll be cut out for that line of work.