"This belonged to a partner of mine. You remind me of him a lot.""No kidding, what was his name?"
"Michael Long... a special guy."—Jim Courtney, to Michael Knight, Episode 303: Knights of the Fast Lane
Lieutenant Jim Courtney is an LAPD officer and former partner of Michael Arthur Long. In 1984, his daughter was hit by a street racer's car and nearly killed. Forcing him and his former partner, now under the new identity of Michael Knight, to investigate.
Background[]
Knight Rider (1982)[]
During Michael Long's early tenure at the LAPD, he was partner with Jim when he was a sergeant. Eventually, Michael became the partner of Sergeant Muntzy, before being "killed" by Tanya Walker on August 8th, 1982.
Jim continued with his career at the LAPD, regarding Michael Long as a "special guy". He was eventually promoted to lieutenant sometime before 1984.
In the episode, Knights of the Fast Lane, his daughter, Stacy is hit during a street race by one of the cars and put into a coma. Distraught by this, Jim vowed to investigate the crime while allowing his emotions to get the better of him as he disregarded Michael Knight's help and even tried to run an ID on him as he suspected he was involved somehow.
Eventually, when Michael provided him the location of the attacker. Jim accepted his help and teamed up with Michael to arrest the men responsible. Eventually, after Stacy woke up from her coma. Jim gifted Michael, Long's old police badge and called him a "special guy".
Personality[]
Jim is a very by the books police officer who let the emotional toll of his daughter's near death make him not want to work with Michael Knight and to investigate the case on his own. However, he eventually warmed up to the idea of working with Michael.
He also greatly respected Michael Long as both an officer and as a friend. Even holding onto his badge after his passing.
Skills[]
Jim is a highly skilled and intelligent officer. Being promoted to lieutenant and training Michael Long to be a better cop. It is also implied he recognized Michael Long as Michael Knight, a feat few characters have accomplished in the series.
Appearances[]
Knight Rider (1982)[]
Season 3[]
Notes and Trivia[]
- Jim is one of the few people who knew Michael Long who figured out that Michael Knight was Long under a new identity.