Chicago P.D.: Did Kevin Atwater Get the Farewell He Deserved After 14 Seasons?
Photo: Lori Allen/NBC
Fourteen seasons. Over a decade of loyalty, sacrifice, and navigating the complicated world of Chicago P.D. And now Kevin Atwater is gone. But the question I want to ask isn't just whether we're going to miss him. It's whether the writers gave LaRoyce Hawkins and the character he built the farewell they actually deserved.
Dick Wolf didn't hesitate to tug at our emotions last week as we bid farewell to a cherished Chicago PD character after 14 seasons. Following the finale of last season, it was announced that La Royce Hawkins would be leaving the crime procedural at the start of season 14. This decision was made during the summer break due to changes in the TV landscape, leading to budget cuts for long-running procedurals. The storyline for season 13 concluded with the revelation that Kevin is going to be a father after a brief involvement with officer Tasha Fox, his former police academy classmate and romantic interest who moved to Miami. She surprises him by saying she will have the baby regardless of whether he decides to be involved or not, as he expresses his desire to get to know her.
The episode, directed by former cast member Jesse Lee Soffer (formerly Jay), begins with the birth of Atwater's son, highlighting how this milestone alters his perspective on life. As the story progresses, we see Atwater preparing to return to work, with Tasha urging him to discuss the FBI Liaison position with Voight. However, Voight informs him that there is no opportunity for promotion. Their conversation is interrupted by a call for the intelligence team to investigate a third robbery. At the crime scene, as Atwater inspects for forced entry, he discovers a freezer containing the manager's body, revealing that the robbers escalated the crime from robbery to murder.
While investigating a robbery, Atwater and the Intelligence Unit discover that their original suspect may not be responsible after all. A visit to the hospital to check on Tasha and his son leads Atwater to realize they may have been looking at the wrong family member.
The investigation eventually points to the suspect’s father, Peter, whose financial struggles and access to the crime scenes make him a person of interest. During the pursuit of Peter’s accomplice, Atwater is shot, but thankfully, his bulletproof vest saves his life.
As the investigation progresses, Atwater learns that Peter's involvement is due to his desperate attempt to protect his son, who is indebted to dangerous criminals. The situation worsens when Intelligence finds evidence of a struggle and blood at the son's home, indicating he's in grave danger. The team eventually discovers Peter's son's body, with a remorseful Peter wishing he could have been there for his son when it mattered, striking a chord with Atwater. He approaches Voight to discuss the vacancy left by Sergeant Nolan. Atwater explains he isn't seeking a promotion but wants to be a good officer, do good, and be present for his son. Voight understands and mentions that Atwater received a call from Atlanta about opportunities for seasoned officers to teach at the academy. He reminds Atwater that there are many ways to be a good officer and that he deserves to pursue what he wants. With that he takes the job in Atlanta after discussing it with Tasha.
Following a toast from Ruzek, Atwater speaks to his intelligence, delivering a final farewell as he prepares to begin his new life in Atlanta. In that moment, the hatred he faced as an officer, the struggles, and the losses all fade away, and his future appears brighter as this new chapter begins. He is surrounded by those who admire and respect him, singing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."
After 14 seasons, I think the biggest question isn't whether Kevin Atwater deserved a better ending, but whether we as viewers were ready to say goodbye to him.
On one hand, I appreciate that the writers didn't take the predictable route of killing him off or having him leave Intelligence under tragic circumstances. Instead, we got to see a man who spent years putting everyone else first finally choose himself and his family. For once, Atwater wasn't sacrificing his happiness for the badge.
But on the other hand, I can't help but feel that after more than a decade, LaRoyce Hawkins deserved a little more. We watched Atwater navigate police corruption, racial tensions, loyalty, and personal sacrifices. So was one episode really enough to close that chapter?
And that brings me to my next question: What happens to Intelligence without Kevin Atwater?
Atwater wasn't just another detective. He was often the voice of reason, especially when Voight's methods crossed the line. With him gone, who's going to challenge those decisions? And how will Burgess and Ruzek adjust to losing someone who has been part of their journey since the beginning?
I also wonder whether the writers will use this opportunity to develop the remaining characters or simply introduce someone new to fill the void.
At the end of the day, I respect the decision to let Kevin Atwater walk away on his own terms. Not every character needs to die to have a meaningful exit. Sometimes growth means recognizing that the life you've built isn't necessarily the life you want moving forward.
But here's where I stand: Kevin Atwater got a happy ending, and he absolutely deserved that. I'm just not convinced LaRoyce Hawkins got the farewell he deserved after 14 seasons.
And with the door seemingly left open for a possible return, maybe this isn't the last time we'll see Kevin Atwater.
So I want to hear from you. Did Chicago P.D. do right by Atwater, or did the writers rush the goodbye? And can Intelligence really be the same without him?
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Because here in the Rawrrzone, we're not just watching the story. We're talking about what it means.
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