Al Powell

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Powell's night begins on his way home, stopping at a service station to buy Twinkies for his pregnant wife. Dispatched to investigate an alarm at Nakatomi Plaza, he is initially misled into believing the alarm was a computer bug. The situation escalates violently when John McClane drops a dead terrorist onto Powell's car hood, drawing fire that crashes the vehicle. From the street, Powell establishes radio contact with McClane, learning his name during their first conversation, and shares LAPD strategies and encouragement. Crucially, Powell reveals his deep-seated trauma: he accepted a desk job after accidentally shooting a child holding a toy gun and refused to fire his weapon again. This arc culminates outside the building when Karl Vreski, believed dead, emerges with a Heckler & Koch MP5K without a stock aiming at McClane. Overcoming his fear, Powell shoots and kills Vreski, finally meeting McClane face-to-face.

In Their Own Story

Between Die Hard and Die Hard 2, John McClane moved from New York to Los Angeles, where he and Powell became co-workers and close friends. During the events of Die Hard 2, McClane waits at Washington Dulles International Airport for his wife's flight when he witnesses armed criminals breaking into the baggage area. Forced to kill one suspect in self-defense, McClane must navigate an unprofessional airport police chief, Carmine Lorenzo. Unable to process fingerprints on-site, McClane grabs an improvised set from the deceased and faxes them to Powell in Los Angeles for identification. Powell quickly identifies the suspect as Sergeant Oswald Cochran, a man believed killed in action during a helicopter accident in Honduras two years prior. After faxing the dossier to Dulles, the two friends share their goodbyes.

Reader's Guide

Sergeant Al Powell serves as the emotional anchor and moral compass of Die Hard, bridging the gap between the isolated hero inside Nakatomi Plaza and the police command outside. His role evolves from a skeptical observer following protocol to a decisive actor who overrides orders based on trust in McClane. Key moments include his initial investigation where he is misled about a computer bug, the crash caused by falling bodies, and his radio sessions where he supports "Roy." The character's core conflict involves his guilt over accidentally shooting a child, which keeps him from firing his weapon until the climax. When Karl Vreski threatens McClane with a Steyr AUG, Powell redeems himself by shooting Vreski dead. His legacy includes a perfect arc of overcoming grief and living with mistakes, making him one of the franchise's most recognizable figures alongside McClane and Gruber.

Did You Know?

• Before being cast as Powell, actor Wesley Snipes auditioned for the role.
• In Die Hard 2, despite appearing in only two scenes, Reginald VelJohnson received fourth billing behind returning actors Bonnie Bedelia and William Atherton.
• Fans often give Reginald VelJohnson Twinkies when they meet him, referencing Powell's stop at the service station for his pregnant wife.
• VelJohnson reprised his role as Al Powell in the Chuck episode "Chuck Versus Santa Claus" during the show's first season, which aired in December 2007.
• In Brooklyn Nine-Nine, VelJohnson appears as himself and threatens to tell Bruce Willis that Jake Peralta "sucks" after being ditched from a scavenger hunt.