Dennis Weaver was actually dangling from the helicopter skid as it left the top of the 20-story building, having missed the cue to be replaced by a stuntman. Helicopter pilot James Gavin (who plays the helicopter pilot on camera) set Weaver down very gently and saved his life.
The gunfight on a rooftop and McCloud's subsequent ride on the skid of a helicopter will be used in the opening titles of later episodes.
J.D. Cannon, who played mid-level good guy Chief Clifford and Eddie Albert, who played mid-level bad guy Roy Erickson would die within 6 days of each other. Cannon died on May 20, 2005 at age 83 and Albert died on May 26, 2005 at age 99.