  |
This article's content is marked as Mature Herschel Biggs contains mature content that may include coarse language, sexual references, and/or graphic violent images which may be disturbing to some. Mature articles are recommended for those who are 18 years of age and older. If you are 18 years or older or are comfortable with graphic material, you are free to view this page. Otherwise, you should close this page and view another page. |
| “ | For every cop, there's the case that makes you: gives you that leg up, gets you recognized as the shining new star on the squad. The case that you solve that shows that you have the gumption, the gung ho, the get-up-and-go to make you stand out from your average rank-and-file patrolman. This could be the one, Cole. | „ |
| ~ Herschel Biggs' narration in "Buyer Beware". |
| “ | Go soak your head, Phelps. This hero business is a full-time obsession with you. | „ |
| ~ Biggs to Cole Phelps. |
Detective Herschel Biggs is a major character in the 2011 noir/crime video game L.A. Noire.
He serving as the overarching protagonist of the "Patrol chapter", and also a minor character in the "Traffic chapter" and the tritagonist of the "Arson chapter".
An old and cynical detective of the arson desk, Biggs served in World War I and was left traumatized from his experience, turning him into a social recluse. He is partnered with Cole Phelps following the latter's demotion, and assists him and Jack Kelso in uncovering and exposing the Suburban Redevelopment Fund. He also act's as the game's narrator during Cole's time in the patrolmen desk at the beginning of the game.
He was voiced and motion-captured by Keith Szarabajka, who also voiced Joshua Graham in Fallout: New Vegas and Russman in Call of Duty: Black Ops II and Call of Duty: Black Ops 4.
Biography[]
Background[]
Herschel Biggs was born in the United States in 1892 to unnamed parents, and from his own words grew up poor and only wanted food on the table when he was kid. In adulthood, he joined the United States Marine Corps during World War I, serving in the 2nd Marines until the war's end in 1918. In Belleau Wood, Biggs was trapped inside a barn alongside his squad mates, and witnessed them burn alive. He was left traumatized from the incident, turning him into a social recluse who preferred to work alone once he joined the Los Angeles Police Department. While doing arson cases, he became acquainted with Fire and Life insurance investigator Jack Kelso.
L.A. Noire[]
In 1947, Cole Phelps is promoted to the traffic squad for solving the Everett Gage murder, and Biggs shoves him when reaching to his desk in the detective's room. Some time later, Cole's affair with Elsa Lichtmann is exposed, resulting in him being demoted to the arson desk, where captain Lachlan McKelty assigns him to partner with Biggs. Despite his initial protest, Herschel works with Cole on investigating a recent house fire, ending with them arresting and charging the suspect Matthew Ryan for causing it. When investigating another house fire, Phelps begins to suspect a connection between them since each home owner won a competition, but Herschel believes the detective is trying to receive glory once again. However, Biggs began to stick up for Cole against other officers who looked down on him for his affair with Elsa.
When investigating another house fire, Herschel becomes startled when witnessing the family's burnt bodies crumble, and tells Cole of his experience back during the war. Continuing their investigation, Biggs starts to believe Cole's claim of a connection, and the two detectives interrogate Elysian Fields Development owner Leland Monroe due to his flyers appearing in the burned down areas. However, Biggs was warned to end their search into Leland by McKlety while Cole was threatened by Roy Earle on the orders of the Suburban Redevelopment Fund. The detectives resolved the house fire case when stopping Herbert Chapman, but Phelps decided to send Elsa to speak with Kelso on Elysian Fields. This allowed the detectives to work on other cases, such as the Nicholson Electroplating explosion while Kelso discovered the redevelopment fund's corruption and control over the city and police department.
Later on, the detectives investigated the death of Courtney Sheldon and Dr. Harlan Fontaine, and Cole deduced that the redevelopment fund was extorting the city for their own gain. The two then received information from Kelso and aided him in reaching the waterways of the city, but Biggs stayed up top as Cole and Jack rescued Elsa. Following Cole's death, Biggs attends his funeral alongside Elsa and Jack, and briefly spoke with Kelso about his complex relationship with Cole.
Quotes[]
| “ | In the Marine Corps you deal with the chain of command. Mistakes get made but you deal with them. You know what you're fighting for, and that you're on the same team. But dealing with corruption is like chasing shadows. You never know whether the guy you're talking to is on the pad or whether it's your partner or maybe even the Watch Commander. So who do you trust, Cole? I made up my mind a long time ago. | „ |
| ~ Biggs' narration in "Upon Reflection". |
| “ | Well, you picked the right place, Cole. A city that needed an honest cop like a thirsty man needed water. You'd heard the stories, but you weren't interested. You were here to fight the good fight - solve cases, right wrongs - but the force is like politics. There's no sitting on a fence. You have to choose sides. A brown paper envelope or a Greyhound ticket to Palookaville. It could only ever end one way. | „ |
| ~ Biggs' narration in "Armed and Dangerous". |
| “ | Cole Phelps and Jack Kelso: with some people, it's as simple as chemistry. Two guys who should have been friends, but their personalities got in the way. Phelps - a good guy, wound way too tight. And Kelso - a quiet man who could never walk away from a fight. | „ |
| ~ Biggs' narration in "Warrants Outstanding". |
| “ | Lachlan McKelty: Phelps, I'm partnering you Herschel Biggs. Herschel Biggs: I don't do partners. You know that, Cap. Lachlan McKelty: You do now, Biggs. |
„ |
| ~ McKelty and Biggs in "The Gas Man". |
| “ | It's okay. His name may be dog s-it, but there's none on his hand. | „ |
| ~ Biggs to Mike Branigan. |
| “ | There's a time to talk, and a time to shut up. Now is the time to be quiet, son. | „ |
| ~ Biggs to a patrolmen as Cole rants to Roy Earle. |
| “ | Herschel Biggs: You were never his friend, Jack. Jack Kelso: I guess you're right. Herschel? Herschel Biggs: Yeah, Jack? Jack Kelso: I was never his enemy. Herschel Biggs: I think he knew that, Jack. |
„ |
| ~ Biggs and Kelso during Cole's funeral. |
Trivia[]
- He is the oldest partner Cole works with.
- In the earlier trailers of L.A. Noire, the character had a different appearance.