"Homicide: Life on the Streets."

"The Wire."

"NYPD Blue."

"ER."

"The Corner."

This isn't a random list of television classics. This is a list of the shows that David Mills wrote for.

Mills passed away Tuesday in New Orleans, where he was working on the HBO series "Treme," which premieres April 11.

According to a story by New Orleans Times-Picayune critic Dave Walker, Mills died of a brain aneurysm.

HBO released a statement today: "HBO is deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our dear friend and colleague David Mills. He was a gracious and humble man, and will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved him, as well as those who were aware of his immense talent. David has left us too soon but his brilliant work will live on."

UPDATE: David Simon, who worked closely with Mills on many of the shows above, talked about him in this Washington Post piece.

Mills death is a tragic loss to television. He's one of those people who, as UK writer Terry Cafolla said in a Twitter message to me, you feel as though you know through their writing. Mills also had a blog, Undercover Black Man, where his wit and thoughtfulness were much in evidence. Fans of his work are leaving messages of sympathy and sadness there.

If it's through their works that you know a person, then what we knew about David Mills was this: He cared about the truth and storytelling and the mysteries of life. He gave [an expletive] when it wasn't his turn. The world is a lesser place without him.

Star-Ledger critic Alan Sepinwall knew Mills well, and his elegy for him is wonderful. Josef Adalian of The Wrap has a remembrance here, and Time's James Poniewozik, who recently interviewed Mills on the "Treme" set in New Orleans, posted some thoughts here. These pieces make me even more sad that Mills won't be around to tell us more stories.

My heart and prayers go out to his friends and family.

Saw this earlier. Really sad.