John Stillman (Cold Case)

John Stillman
Cold Case character
First appearance	"Look Again"
Last appearance	"Shattered"
Created by	Meredith Stiehm
Portrayed by	John Finn
Information
Aliases	"Boss" "Lieutenant"
Gender	Male
Occupation	Homicide Detective Lieutenant
Family	Rita Hart (ex-wife) Andrew Stillman (brother) Sean (grandson) Carl (son-in-law)
Children	Janie Stillman (daughter)

Lieutenant John Stillman is a fictional character in the CBS crime drama Cold Case, portrayed by John Finn. He is the chief of the homicide division in Philadelphia also the commander of the cold case squad.

Character biography

A Vietnam combat veteran with some war-era stress as seen in the episode "Honor" he has shown himself to be stern but caring boss. His daughter was once assaulted, but survived and gave him a grandson. Due to his commitment to the job, his marriage was very strained and finally ended in divorce. He is an Irish-American (as is John Finn, the actor who portrays him). His older brother is a Catholic priest.

When he was young detective, Stillman worked the case of the assault of a ten-year-old Lilly Rush. He found the man who attacked. Lt Stillman became a mentor and father figure after capturing her attacker when she was a child. After joining the police force, Stillman followed her career and chose her for Homicide when she passed her detective exam. ("The Long Blue Line" / "Into the Blue")

Cold Case

The squad commander and occasionally a mentor and confidant to Lilly. In the fifth season (beginning in September 2007), he took the month's unpaid leave meant for Scotty Valens, in order to keep him on the force. Stillman, having reflected on his place in the police force during his suspension, later decided to retire, though later was inspired to return to duty when Lilly convinced him to help in a case ("Family 8108").

References