Is Officer Kevin Atwater Getting Fired on 'Chicago P.D.'? We're Worried

Since Chicago P.D. premiered in 2014, fans have been on edge about whether their favorite character would leave the force (and the show) for good. LaRoyce Hawkins has been playing Officer Kevin Atwater for nine seasons, although the character actually first appeared on Chicago Fire in 2013. Some viewers are convinced that he's going to leave the show next.

Is LaRoyce Hawkins leaving Chicago P.D.? His character has given viewers some stressful moments in the past, but is it the end for him? Here's what you need to know.

The actor hasn't indicated that he's going to leave the popular NBC series, but there are a few reasons viewers have become concerned about his future.

First, in March 2021, Executive Producer and Director Eriq La Salle left Chicago P.D. and LaRoyce paid tribute to his close friend on Instagram. "To a bittersweet swan song well deserved," he wrote on his post. "May we Protect and Serve the dreamers we deferred. From the heart to Eriq La Salle."

Although the post was meant to commemorate Eriq's exit from Chicago P.D., some fans thought that LaRoyce was the one who was announcing his departure.

In Season 10, Officer Atwater was in danger of losing his job following the shooting (and subsequent death) of a young man. When the circumstances surrounding the man's death were called into question, the Intelligence Unit started racing to clear Atwater's name.

Speaking to Parade, LaRoyce shared, "Ultimately, whether Atwater loses his job or not, I think he’ll be able to live with himself if he can continue to look in the mirror and know that he did his best, and he tried from the right place."

He added, "I think Atwater’s at the point where he loves his job. He would love to serve and protect for as long as he can and serve and protect at higher and higher levels if that’s possible. But I don’t think the job at this point is worth his integrity, it’s not worth his word. And Atwater is ready if push comes to shove, to give it all up for the truth."

The Season 10 finale also left fans super worried. After all, the teaser showed that Atwater may have been unconscious after an explosion. Fans eagerly watched the show, hoping their favorite character would make it through.

Despite being put in a high-pressure situation, Atwater did survive the episode meaning we should (hopefully) see him next season.

You can stream old episodes of Chicago P.D. on Peacock.