LaRoyce Hawkins will leave “Chicago P.D.” after 13 years as Officer Kevin Atwater, with his character wrapping up during the show’s upcoming Season 14 premiere on October 7.
LaRoyce Hawkins walked onto the “Chicago P.D.” set with one identity for 13 years—and fans now know the badge will be turned in for the final time. Hawkins. 38. will end his run as Officer Kevin Atwater during the show’s upcoming Season 14. which premieres in October. with no reason provided for the departure.
NBC and a representative for Wolf Entertainment, which produces the One Chicago franchise, declined to comment. The exit was first reported by Deadline, which said Hawkins will appear in the first three episodes of Season 14 to wrap up Atwater’s storyline.
The change lands with weight because Atwater’s path has been tightly woven across the One Chicago universe. Officer Atwater began on “Chicago Fire” in 2013 and moved to “Chicago P.D.” in 2014, eventually appearing for 263 episodes. In “Chicago P.D. ” Atwater worked as part of Hank Voight’s (Jason Beghe) Intelligence Unit alongside elite officers Adam Ruzek (Patrick John Fleuger). Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati). Dante Torres (Benjamin Levy Aguilar). and Eve Imani (Arienne Mandi).
In Season 13. the character’s personal life surged into the center of the story when Atwater reconnected with longtime friend Officer Tasha Fox (Karen Obilom). Their relationship became romantic, but it shifted after Fox took a new job in Miami. Fox later discovered she was pregnant with Atwater’s child in what was a major development—one that may help explain why his character’s departure is being positioned now.
Hawkins recently looked back on his “Chicago P.D.” journey. describing the moment he got cast as feeling like fate finally arriving. In an interview shared by Wolf Entertainment’s Instagram page. he said. “prayers have been answered.” He added. “It was amazing. I felt like something was on the way. I think I had just turned 25 and there was something every night. I would go to sleep, and I’d have this feeling like, ‘Tomorrow might be the day.’”.
He also spoke about the grind that came before landing the role. “I was gigging. I started stand-up. I was doing a lot of comedy. I was doing a lot of poetry. I was hosting random stuff … I was just doing whatever I could to find an audience and to perfect my craft. ” Hawkins said. “Obviously I had some acting chops. but it wasn’t until ‘Chicago P.D.’. where I would really learn how to act.”.
The departure also continues a broader churn within the series’ cast. Hawkins is the latest character to exit “Chicago P.D.” after Jesse Lee Soffer, who played Jay Halstead, left in 2022, and Tracy Spiridakos—known for her role as Detective Hailey Upton—exited in 2024.
For viewers, the timing is immediate. “Chicago P.D.” Season 14 premieres on Wednesday, October 7, at 10 p.m. ET/PT, and Hawkins’ on-screen exit is set to unfold across the first three episodes as the show moves forward without Officer Kevin Atwater.
LaRoyce Hawkins Chicago P.D. Officer Kevin Atwater Season 14 NBC Wolf Entertainment One Chicago Hank Voight Karen Obilom Jason Beghe