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.
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.
Investigating a bank armored car robbery, Chad is surprised to learn the driver guard is an old friend and ex-cop. The stolen bills start turning up at the racetrack, which leads Chad to yet another surprise.
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 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.
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?
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.
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.