JACK Maple, the ex-NYPD Deputy Commissioner who inspired and co-created the CBS series “The District,” received an unusual honor yesterday – a Hollywood-style sendoff.

A full-page memorial ad appeared on the back page of the trade magazine Variety yesterday to mark the passing of Maple, 48, who died last weekend from colon cancer.

That treatment is usually reserved only for industry bigwigs and stars.

The ad was paid for by CBS and Studios USA, which produces the show.

“Real-life Hero, Jack Maple, 1952-2001,” reads the ad, just above a photo of Maple wearing his trademark fedora.

Maple rose from the ranks of the transit cops to become a groundbreaking executive in the NYPD under former Commissioner Bill Bratton. He was credited with creating new and innovative statistical systems that pinpointed crime hot spots.

After resigning from the department in a shake-up, he was named to head the effort to clean up the corruption-plagued New Orleans police department.

In “The District,” Craig T. Nelson stars as Jack Mannion, the D.C. Police Chief who joined the force after impressive stops in Newark, N.J. and Boston.