Dennis Franz says he's ready to hang up his badge as crusty Det. Andy Sippowicz on NYPD Blue.

"I think the time is right for me to settle back and for the character to come to an end," says Franz, one of the most accessible and popular actors ever on the press tour.

Franz, along with many of his cast mates and other ABC stars, attended that network's press party Tuesday night in Los Angeles.

ABC has already announced that this will be NYPD Blue's 12th and final season. Franz has no idea how the series will end but doubts creator Stephen Bochco will get too fancy. "It will probably be just another day at the office," he said.

The one thing he doesn't want is for Sipp to exit the series on a slab. "Ihope he doesn't go out that way," he said.

He's miss the cast and crew as well as the short walk to the set (he bought a house across the street from the lot). "I can fall out of bed and I'm at the studio. It's very comfortable and convenient for me. There's quite a few things I will miss."

He was sporting a fat, gold ring in the shape of an actual NYPD badge with Sippowicz's badge number: 990. It was a gift the first season from Blue executive producers David Milch and Stephen Bochco and he's worn it ever since. "I like the acknowledgement from other cops when they see it," he said.

He hopes to give features another shot once Blue wraps, likely this December. One thing he knows for sure: "I don't wish to play another cop immediately."

Fellow cast members Gordon Clapp, who has many fond memories of working in Canada, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Henry Simmons and Bill Brochtrup also made the ABC scene.