Chicago PD Season 14 Episode 2, titled “Don’t Blink,” was an emotional sendoff to LaRoyce Hawkins’ Kevin Atwater.

In his goodbye speech at the end of the episode, Atwater revealed that after 14 years, he was ready to say goodbye, though he’s been a staple on our TV screens for 12 years since PD’s first episode aired on January 8, 2014.

Saying goodbye to Hawkins’ Atwater is like saying goodbye to a friend. The Intelligence unit became his family—on and off-screen—and they became our family. 

But it’s also hard to hold it against him when the reason for his departure is so good—he built a new family with Tasha and baby Malcolm, and he’s choosing them. 

Kevin has always strived to have it all, but what made his character strong is that in the face of all the obstacles, he always tried to be a good police officer. He was the very best of them. 

So it makes sense that out of every character exit that we’ve had, Kevin Atwater’s carried the most weight. It’s also one of the only official goodbyes/proper send-offs we’ve had, as both Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) and Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer) kind of just left. 

The episode gave us a glimpse of Kevin Atwater becoming a father, finally, after years of searching for someone to share this life with. 

But Kevin soon began to feel the struggle that many women who go back to work feel all too often; he was being pulled in too many directions, and the job was coming at the cost of his family time. 

Personally, I love that we’re also acknowledging that men experience these feelings when they become fathers, too. This new generation of strong men wants to be present in their children’s lives rather than simply prioritizing a job and missing out on all the moments that make the whole experience worthwhile. 

Intelligence demands a lot of sacrifice: time, energy, and physical and emotional well-being. All of that was on the line for Atwater on his first day back, as he, on minimal sleep, was thrust into a difficult case involving a string of bar robberies involving gaming units.

On the surface, it didn’t seem like the kind of case that would make or break his future, but in the process, Atwater got shot. Thankfully, his bulletproof vest caught it, but it was a stark reminder of the dangers of this job, and the price to pay is now amplified now that there’s a little boy relying on him.

Not making it home simply isn’t an option. 

The case also hit close to home, as the victim’s father grappled with guilt over how his son’s life had turned out after being absent for much of his formative years. He had missed countless milestones and irreplaceable moments—time he could never get back and regret he could never fully erase. His absence also weighed heavily on him as he confronted the troubled path his son had taken, one that ultimately led to his death at the hands of a drug cartel he had stolen from to fuel his addiction.

Hoping to make up for past mistakes, his father turned to robbery to help his son pay off his debts, desperate for a chance to right some of his wrongs.

When Atwater delivered the devastating news of Brennan’s death, Peter’s words struck a chord with the detective, as he warned him that you blink and kids grow up when you’re not looking. (They also grow up quickly when you’re looking, but at least you can hang on to the memories).

Ultimately, it was the reassurance Atwater needed to trust his gut, which was later emphasized by his chat with Voight, who recalled the years when his son was young as “the best years of his life.”

Atwater didn’t want the time away to get easier, nor did he want time to adjust to a life without his family; without dinners and bedtimes and fun evenings spent together laughing and playing.

Voight knew it, too. I love that he didn’t try to talk Atwater out of it despite not wanting to lose him because he knew what we all know—no one deserves it more than Atwater. 

And he even had the perfect solution for him: a teaching job out of Atlanta that pays well and allows you to be home every night. And he can take cases on the side, as he sees fit and time allows. 

It really was a no-brainer for Atwater at this point, and though Tasha was hesitant, she agreed when she realized Atwater was serious about building up a life together. 

Losing Atwater hurts way more than any of the other character exits because not only was he a day one, but he was a real one. 

And everything about this episode, from a longtime PD fan’s standpoint, was to honor the character—giving him the happy ending with the family he’s always wanted, finding peace with his father and knowing his siblings are good (which he helped raise), getting Voight’s blessing (and the head nod at the end), Ruzek’s toast, and finally, the fact that Jesse Lee Soffer was behind the camera directing this one. 

I fear that PD’s best days are behind them, which is a testament to just how solid Hawkins was in the role. And he deserves the biggest thank you for carrying the weight of all the emotional—and oftentimes racially charged—storylines for all these years, allowing us to grow and grow up beside him. 

It’s almost like we all blinked, and over a decade passed.

But we’ll never say no to a guest appearance or visit from the Atwater family if the opportunity presents itself, because I’m going to need updates on baby Malcolm!  

Below are some Twitter tributes, cause I truly am in my feels tonight:

Pay good, being home any time and no snow. What a life! Damn, we're really losing Kevin Atwater @LaRoyceHawkins
😢 The one Black King on this show. What a ride!😢 The episodes that were focused on his character were always powerful. Damn, gonna miss him on this show.❤️#ChicagoPD pic.twitter.com/utz4atSZ81

— MB (@S_M_MMB) October 15, 2026

kevin atwater getting his happy ending with his girl and his son, a healing relationship with his dad, having raised his younger siblings who are thriving, moving onto a new path that allows him to give back but also be a dad. THEY'LL NEVER BE ANOTHER LIKE HIM 🥹 #chicagopd

— naia 💻 | KEVIN ATWATER FOREVER (@proceduralpash) October 15, 2026

https://twitter.com/AAddison17/status/2110567784111587450?s=20

Chicago P.D. Season 14 is officially back in action, introducing a new challenge for the detectives of the Intelligence Unit.

While audiences may find them vital to the safety of Chicago, the sentiment isn’t shared by everyone, as the final moments of the episode introduce a new challenger for Voight, who has, up until this point, run his unit the way that he sees fit. Sure, he’s had to change up his methods a bit over the course of 14 seasons, but now, he’s been tasked with proving the unit’s an “efficient use of resources.”

And the FBI agent assigned to his team is already someone Voight has crossed paths with—and did not leave a good impression on.

Voight was understandably frustrated with how overrun and chaotic the precinct had gotten while becoming a temporary hub for hundreds of officers and agents relocated from the OCD headquarters, which was getting demolished, but he also took it out on them, including an agent that he didn’t even realize would be the one determining the fate of his unit.

Of course, maybe Voight and the rest of the squad will end up growing on him and proving that they’re essential.

After 14 seasons, the series has to find ways to keep things fresh, with characters evolving and growing with the times while keeping audiences on their feet.

This isn’t the first time Voight has butted heads with someone who could destroy his career, but he’s also never one to back down from a fight. That quality has remained consistent with the character. 

As has his “look the other way” approach, an option he offered to Imani once she found out her sister murdered someone. 

The moment at the beginning reminded viewers how Season 13 ended, as Imani finally found her younger sister, whom she’s been searching for for years.

Unfortunately, it was far from a joyful reunion.

Imani had a tough choice to make—she could bury what her sister did and let her walk free, though she’d always be looking over her shoulder.

And truthfully, it would’ve been a terrible decision that would put everyone in Intelligence in the crossfire, even though they’d surely have her back (in the same way Torres told her he’d have her back no matter what, which I believe is hinting at a possible romance between Imani and Torres. Lord knows he’s into her!). 

We’ve seen detectives who walk a similar path as Voight before, so it was refreshing to see Imani choose the “correct” path, even if it didn’t feel right at all.

Daily, Imani upholds the law, so she didn’t let Shari get a pass, instead, helping her get a solid plea deal and believing that this was the best way forward—the one that would help Shari rehabilitate after everything she’d been through. 

Because, unfortunately, Shari was a product of her kidnapping. She was doing whatever she could to survive in the only life she’d ever known. 

She didn’t have those memories of Imani and her family to hold onto, and therefore, she didn’t reciprocate the level of care and love that Imani showed for her. It was heartbreaking to see unfold, knowing how much of her life Imani gave up, fighting to find her sister. 

She did everything she could to help her, but sometimes, the best thing you can do is offer space and take a step back. Shari wasn’t used to the kind of love that Imani had for her, and it was suffocating.

In time, I imagine they’ll find a new normal that makes sense for them, as this will be the overarching storyline this season, but it’ll also come with a bit of a wake-up call for Imani that good intentions aren’t always enough. 

CHICAGO P.D. — “Demolition” Episode 1401 — Pictured: (l-r) LaRoyce Hawkins as Officer Kevin Atwater, , Marina Squerciati as Officer Kim Burgess — (Photo by: Lori Allen/NBC)

Chicago P.D. Season 14 Episode 1 Case of the Week

The procedural case pulling us back into Intelligence’s orbit paralleled Imani’s own journey and put into question whether a person could change.

The answer? Yes. But it has to come from within. And still, the world has a way of knocking out all hope from people who are doing their best to follow the straight and narrow, a reality that Chris experienced firsthand when he was accused of shooting his parole officer, Lindell, and killing another woman who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

All signs pointed to Chris, so everyone just assumed it was him, except for Imani, who approached it with a little more logic and compassion. She didn’t just accept what was being fed to her—she questioned the narrative at every turn. 

Chris had a clean rap sheet ever since he was paroled, so there’s no reason for him to shoot Lindell. And there were no witnesses who saw him take the shot. 

The case deepened when Chris’ friend, Fritzy, who was also Lindell’s parolee, ended up overdosing in Voight’s arms from heroin laced with a lethal amount of rat poison. Imani made the point that Chris had no reason to kill his friend, and everything became clear when they found blood and semen on the bedsheets at Fritzy’s house. 

In a heartbreaking twist, Chris confirmed that Lindell found out Fritzy was using again and promised to keep it a secret in exchange for sex; when she told him she was done, he raped her instead. Fritzy took matters into her own hands and shot Lindell while in Chris’ car, which is why it was placed at the scene, while Lindell drugged her at home to keep the truth from getting out. 

Except Imani was persistent, hoping to find justice for someone she believed in, and once they cornered Lindell, he confessed to everything before asking Voight and his officers to shoot him because he wouldn’t make it in prison.

Voight informed him he won’t be “getting the easy way out,” promising that he’ll feel “everyday” of his charges. 

The saying don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time comes to mind because Lindell was so good at manipulating in the shadows, but couldn’t stand his own when confronted with his ugly decisions. 

Atwater’s Baby Is Coming

Enough time has passed between seasons that the moment has arrived—Tasha is in labor, and Atwater is about to become a daddy.

And it’s bittersweet. For 14 seasons, fans have been asking for Atwater to get more personal storylines, specifically, a love interest. He’s had a few romances here and there, but never anything serious, and they finally nailed down the right girl for him with Tasha. She’s vibrant, electric, and she challenges him, making her an incredible addition to the team.

So what does that mean? LaRoyce Hawkins is exiting the series. 

I’m personally upset that Atwater is leaving the series before we can really dive into Kevin’s new journey or even see how fatherhood will change him, becuse I’m sure it will. 

Hopefully, the sendoff gives us at least a glimpse of what could have been so we can hold onto the good moments. Atwater has gone through so much as a detective; in this new chapter, he deserves to focus on the good in the world versus constantly finding himself carrying the weight of his community.

It was fitting that Ruzek was the one to drive him to the hospital before he earned the title, but admittedly, I’ll cry my eyes out when it’s time for Atwater to say goodbye to the OG crew and move on with his life. 

Losing a core character is never easy—and fans of the One Chicago shows have been hit with many losses these past few years. It seems to be the curse and blessing of a show being around for so many seasons. 

What did you think of the premiere? Let us know in the comments! 

A major change is coming to Chicago P.D.

Ahead of Chicago P.D. Season 14, it was announced that LaRoyce Hawkins, who has played Det. Kevin Atwater since the show’s inception on NBC in 2014, will be exiting the procedural.

Deadline confirmed the announcement, noting that Hawkins will return this season for a handful of episodes to “wrap up” his character’s storyline. 

Hawkins has not addressed the report.

The outlet expressed that Wolf Entertainment declined to comment, but that the series is casting a new “Black cop who is an agent of chaos.”

Hawkins’ exit is definitely a bummer, given that his character is expecting his first child with Officer Tasha Fox. The writers could use that as an exit for Kevin, who has long wrestled with the tension between his role as a cop and his place within the Black community.

Tasha was living in Miami when she got a positive pregnancy test, so it’s possible Atwater will make the choice to move there and be there for her and the baby. 

CHICAGO P.D. — “Long Lost” Episode 1011 — Pictured: LaRoyce Hawkins as Kevin Atwater — (Photo by: Lori Allen/NBC)

However, it’s also unfortunate because not only is Hawkins one of the fan-favorite characters who consistently delivers excellent episodes with emotional and gripping storylines, but fans are finally getting what they want from the character—his romantic life explored with a serious love interest.

The situation between Fox and Atwater is definitely complicated, but there’s so much to work with. What do you mean we’re going to get cheated out of seeing Atwater become a father!? A partner in a committed relationship? All the things? 

Of course, the report notes that he will no longer be a series regular, so there’s a possibility to revisit Atwater’s storyline on a guest role basis, but it’s not the same. 

And it comes as P.D. has already lost a handful of original core cast members, following the more recent departures of Tracy Spiridakos (Haley Upton) and Jesse Lee Soffer (Jay Halstead). 

I know it’s par for the course for long-running shows like this one, but it’s a hit that’s felt by the fandom, as the Deadline social media post echoed the same message among viewers, “That’s a huge loss to show.”

“Wow. A big loss to the show. They will likely end his character by him moving to Miami with the mother of his child,” someone else suggested, as another quipped, “Just cancel the show already.”

“We finally get something good with your character storyline and you leaving??” another expressed, with others noting, “Welp, guess it won’t be a reason for me to watch the show anymore once he leaves. This is heartbreaking 💔💔💔”