The Lt. Pierce Brooks in this episode was apparently named after real-life LAPD detective Pierce Brooks who investigated the famous Onion Field murder case.
Joe Friday's weapon is a Smith and Wesson model 10 6 shot K-frame revolver. This is the only time in the newer version that he fired his weapon in anger. He only fired once and hit the suspect in a vital chest area just as taught to officers of the time. The suspect bled to death within minutes.
Both of the Internal Affairs detectives assigned to investigate the shooting are lieutenants. This is entirely accurate, as LAPD has always staffed its Internal Affairs Division with senior detectives.
In this episode, Joe Friday appears in the customary "lineup" epilogue.
Joe Friday referenced the previous time he had to shoot a suspect in the line of duty (The Big Thief, which aired 12/17/1953). Also, members of the trial board Dep. Chief Robert A. Houghton (played by S. John Launer) was later in charge of the investigation of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in June 1968. Dep. Chief Roger Murdock (played by Harry Bartell) later became interim Chief of Police following the departure of Tom Reddin in 1969.