David Burnham Dies: New York Times Investigative Reporter Whose Work Inspired ‘Serpico’ Was 91

David Burnham, a former New York Times investigative reporter whose work uncovering corruption in the New York Police Department circa the 1970s inspired the twice Oscar-nominated Serpico, died earlier this week at 91.

Per the Times, he died after a choking incident at dinner, at his home in Spruce Head, Maine, which caused his heart to stop.

Detective Frank Serpico, an undercover officer who had been trying to get the police department to crack down on the graft, worked as Burnham’s chief source, becoming the eventual subject of the 1973 crime thriller in which Al Pacino played him.

Commemorating the reporter, Serpico wrote on social media, “Couldn’t have done it without you David,” alongside a thumbs up and praying emoji.