The story you are about to read is true. The names have not been changed to protect the innocent.

The United States Postal Service will begin selling a new "Dragnet" postage stamp on Tuesday, officials say.

Actor Jack Webb played LAPD Sgt. Joe Friday on the television series that began airing more than half a century ago and ensured the police department's place in Hollywood lore.

The department is now returning the favor by helping host an event at the Police Academy in Elysian Park to commemorate the release of the stamp, authorities said. The stamp will be on sale beginning at noon.

It is one of 20 collectible stamps that pay tribute to early television shows that will be released by the Postal Service on Tuesday.

Among those expected for the 2 p.m. Police Academy program: Webb's widow, Opal; Webb's "Dragnet" partner, actor Harry Morgan; one of the show's narrators, John Stephenson; LAPD Chief William J. Bratton; and Councilman Tom LaBonge.

Rich Thompson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, said it probably will not rain.

Those are just the facts, ma'am.