For the longest time, the Chicago franchise has been a story of expansion, with Dick Wolf’s Windy City universe steadily growing from a single firehouse into a sprawling network of first responders, cops, and courtroom players. But growth on this scale rarely comes without casualties, and the franchise has had its share of fallen soldiers along the way. The latest name added to that list is LaRoyce Hawkins, whose exit from Chicago P.D. marks yet another goodbye for the Intelligence Unit.

After years of walking the beat as Kevin Atwater, a character who grew from a rookie patrol officer into a fixture of the Intelligence Unit, the long ride has officially come to an end.

Chicago P.D. has always had a knack for keeping audiences on their feet, and Season 14 Episode 2 brought many to their knees. The episode saw Kevin Atwater, played by LaRoyce Hawkins, bid goodbye to the Intelligence Unit and possibly move into teaching, after a case that hit too close to home made him realize the responsibility of being a father.

Not long after the episode aired, Hawkins took to Instagram to thank fans for their support.

Hawkins' message to fans via Instagram Stories laid the final nail in the coffin of his intriguing journey through an approximate 268 episodes of the show. Hawkins first stepped into the role of Kevin Atwater in the series’ early days, and over the course of a decade, the character evolved from a young patrol officer into one of the Intelligence Unit’s most trusted members. His story arc saw Atwater grow in confidence, rank, and responsibility, making his exit one of the more significant for the long-running NBC drama.

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Hawkins’ departure may sting, but the Intelligence Unit has weathered plenty of goodbyes before.

Chicago P.D. has seen its share of heavy hitters walk out of the district over the years. Sophia Bush’s Erin Lindsay was among the first major exits, leaving a hole in the unit’s emotional core and in Hank Voight’s inner circle. Bush later alleged that she endured a toxic work environment during her time on the series, a claim that added a more complicated layer to her departure.

While not on the same set, Tracy Spiridakos, who plays Hailey Upton, has also spoken out about the unrealistic beauty standards placed on women in the industry, further fueling conversations about what life behind the scenes can look like.

Jon Seda’s Antonio Dawson followed, stepping away from the squad he had helped anchor and bringing the show’s early era to a close. Jesse Lee Soffer’s Jay Halstead hung up his badge in 2024, a loss that reshaped the team’s dynamic after more than a decade of service. His exit hit especially hard for longtime viewers, as Halstead had been one of the show’s central figures since its earliest days. With Atwater now added to the list, the roster continues to evolve.

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Did you expect LaRoyce Hawkins' exit from Chicago P.D.? Let us know in the comments.