Chicago P.D. Star LaRoyce Hawkins' Exit Just Got Real—And There's a Baby Involved

The End is Here

After years of protecting Chicago's streets as Detective Kevin Atwater, LaRoyce Hawkins' time on Chicago P.D. is officially coming to an end. And the season 14 premiere just changed everything.

The action-packed episode that kicked off the new season wasn't just packed with dramatic moments and high-stakes police work. Hidden in the chaos was a detail that has fans buzzing: a baby storyline that will play a major role in how one of the show's most beloved characters exits the series.

But this isn't a sudden, shocking departure. According to exclusive comments from showrunner Gwen Sigan, the writers have something carefully planned—something that involves a little one.

"We will meet that little baby," Sigan told Us Magazine, confirming that viewers won't be left wondering about this mysterious child mentioned in the premiere.

So what does a baby have to do with Atwater's farewell? And will his exit be heartwarming or devastating?

Building Toward Goodbye

LaRoyce Hawkins has been a cornerstone of Chicago P.D. since the show's early seasons, bringing depth and vulnerability to the character of Kevin Atwater. Over the years, fans have watched him grow from a young officer to a trusted detective—someone audiences genuinely care about.

His departure marks a significant shift for the long-running NBC series, which has already seen cast changes in recent seasons. The fact that the showrunners are being intentional about how they write him off suggests this won't be a throwaway exit.

The season 14 premiere itself was a whirlwind. Between intense action sequences and character moments, there was clearly a lot happening behind the scenes—and the baby reveal wasn't subtle. It was woven into the narrative deliberately, suggesting it's central to Atwater's story moving forward.

Sigan's comment to Us Magazine wasn't casual. When a showrunner makes exclusive statements about specific plot points, it means the story being told is important to the overall arc of the season.

Sources close to the production have indicated that this exit has been planned for some time, giving the writers room to craft something meaningful rather than rushing the character out.

The question now is: How will this baby storyline change everything we think we know about Kevin Atwater's future?

What The Baby Means

While the specific details of Atwater's exit remain under wraps, the introduction of a baby element in the season 14 premiere opens several narrative possibilities. Could the child belong to Atwater himself? Is it connected to a case that will ultimately lead to his departure?

Showrunner Gwen Sigan's promise that "we will meet that little baby" suggests this isn't just a throwaway plot point. This is a character—or at least a story element—that will have genuine weight as the season progresses.

According to Us Magazine's exclusive reporting, the writers are committed to giving Atwater's exit the attention it deserves. Rather than killing off or injuring the character, the baby storyline could be the emotional anchor that makes his departure feel earned and meaningful to longtime fans.

The premiere's action-packed nature combined with this tender storytelling element suggests the show is balancing high stakes with character-driven moments—exactly what fans have come to expect from the Chicago P.D. universe.

One thing is clear: this exit is being handled with care. The showrunners know how much Atwater means to the fanbase, and they're not taking his departure lightly.

But when will we finally learn the truth about this mysterious baby—and will it break our hearts?

What Comes Next

As Chicago P.D. moves through season 14, all eyes will be on Kevin Atwater's storyline. Fans who have followed his journey from the early seasons are understandably emotional about his exit. The baby reveal in the premiere has only intensified that emotional investment.

LaRoyce Hawkins' departure represents the end of an era for the show, but based on Sigan's comments, it sounds like the writers are determined to send him off the right way. This isn't a hastily written exit—it's a carefully crafted farewell that honors the character and what he's meant to the series.

The baby storyline could lead to multiple directions: perhaps Atwater becomes a father and decides to leave the force to focus on family, or maybe the case involving the child becomes so personal that it changes his trajectory entirely. Either way, viewers will be watching closely.

One thing's for certain: Kevin Atwater's goodbye is going to be emotional. And if the season 14 premiere is any indication, there will be plenty of tears shed before it's all over.

Chicago P.D. continues on NBC. New episodes air weekly.