Embed from Getty Images

Ken Osmond—who played Eddie Haskell on the "Leave It to Beaver" TV show and later went on to become a police officer has died in Los Angeles at age 76. No cause of death has been released.

According to NBC News, son Eric Osmond said in a statement, "He was an incredibly kind and wonderful father. He had his family gathered around him when he passed. He was loved and will be very missed."

Osmond spent 18 years with the Los Angeles Police Department until 1980, when a suspected car thief shot him three times. He was left severely wounded but survived—his wounds ended his police career and he returned to acting.

In 2002 Osmond was inducted into the IACP/DuPont Kevlar Survivors' Club. He told POLICE he did not know about the program until he saw an item about it on television. But he knew right away he wanted to be a part of the campaign to save officers' lives with ballistic vests.

Osmond said he owed his life to his partner and a bullet-resistant vest.

POLICE reporter Melanie Basich wrote:

"In 1980, he was shot three times while trying to apprehend a car thief. Two bullets impacted his chest, while the third struck the buckle of his gun belt. After Osmond was knocked back by the impact of the shots, the shooter advanced on him with his gun drawn. Osmond's partner, Henry Lane, who had expended his rounds, struggled with the armed subject and was able to subdue him.

Osmond is grateful that he survived his encounter and credits the vest with saving his life. He wants others to understand the importance of wearing vests on the job.

"I know vests can be hot and uncomfortable," says Osmond. "Sweat doesn't feel good running down your body, but it's better than blood. I tell my story, and hopefully it will sink in and they'll say, 'He's right.'"

The LAPD on Monday told The Hollywood Reporter it sent its deepest condolences to the Osmond family, saying, "After his successful run on one of the most popular shows of all time, he chose to protect and to serve the residents of Los Angeles…He will be missed."