Sharky's Machine
Sharky's Machine is a 1981 American neo-noir action thriller film directed by Burt Reynolds, who stars in the title role, along with Rachel Ward, Vittorio Gassman, Brian Keith, Charles Durning, Earl Holliman, Bernie Casey and Henry Silva. It is based on the 1978 novel by William Diehl, with a screenplay by Gerald Di Pego. In the film, Atlanta police Sergeant Tom Sharky (Reynolds) is assigned to the vice squad, where he investigates a high-priced prostitute (Ward) with ties to political and mob figures.
Plot
Tom Sharky, a narcotics sergeant for the Atlanta Police Department, is working on a transaction with drug dealer Highball. Smiley, another member of the force, shows up unexpectedly during the sting, causing the drug dealer to run and Sharky to give chase, ultimately shooting the suspect on a MARTA bus, after wounding of the bus driver and a passenger. In the aftermath, Sharky is demoted to the vice squad, which is considered the least desirable assignment in the police department.