The world of journalism lost a true legend this week, and his career was one to write about. 

According to the New York Post, ABC News legend Tom Jarriel, who was well known for his coverage of Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination, has died.

Jarriel also cut his teeth in the industry with his coverage of the Richard Nixon administration, becoming a trusted and depended-upon reporter hitting some of the biggest stories and topics of his day.

He joined ABC News in 1965, and his impressive career spanned a staggering four decades.

Fast-tracked

Jarriel's talent earned him a quick trip up the ladder at the prominent news network, becoming ABC's chief White House correspondent just a few years after joining the network.

In that role, Jarriel covered the Nixon administration and the administration of the late President Gerald Ford.

The New York Post noted:

A decade later, he became ABC’s Weekend Report anchor and then joined the channel’s upstart primetime news show, “20/20,” in which he reported on criminal justice reform and went toe to toe with leaders across the country.

Jarriel also extensively covered the plight of Romanian orphans, which he was later describe as "the great, defining story of my career."

Before he retired in 2002, Jarriel racked up countless awards for his work in the industry, including a staggering six Emmy Awards, according to ABC's obituary.

ABC noted, "Jarriel is survived by his loving wife Joan of 67 years and his three sons."

Tributes pour in

Not surprisingly, given his legendary status in the industry, former colleagues, friends, and fans who watched Jarriel for decades offered their condolences and remembered him fondly.

"I had the great privilege of having worked with Tom Jarriel at ABC News. For a time I was the Senior Producer of the weekend newscasts when Tom was an anchor. Tom was the consummate broadcast journalist. And he was always a skilled, calm and steady presence," a former ABC producer wrote on X. 

I had the great privilege of having worked with Tom Jarriel at ABC News. For a time I was the Senior Producer of the weekend newscasts when Tom was an anchor. Tom was the consummate broadcast journalist. And he was always a skilled, calm and steady presence. pic.twitter.com/kV5GQsxKvR

— David Guilbault (@davidguilbault) October 25, 2024

Another X user wrote, "The great ABC News journalist has died. Back when television newsmen were classy guys who gave you the news and only the news. RIP."