Note: This article contains major spoilers from the April 5 episode of CBS’s S.W.A.T.
This past Friday, CBS’s S.W.A.T. team bid farewell to original cast member Kenny Johnson, who portrayed Officer Dominique Luca. However, the departure wasn’t as dramatic as promos had suggested.
In Johnson’s farewell episode, it was revealed early on that Luca survived the gunshot wounds he suffered in the previous episode. Following a time jump, Luca received heartbreaking news from a doctor: his MRI showed irreversible nerve damage from a bullet to his shoulder, rendering him unfit for duty. Rather than take a desk job, he chose to retire in a heartfelt ceremony surrounded by his colleagues.
TVLine spoke with Johnson about Luca’s sendoff and the emotions it stirred within him.
TVLINE: Did you see the promo for your final episode? It really had fans worried!
KENNY JOHNSON: Yes! Everyone thought I was dead. [Laughs] During looping, they only showed the part where I got shot. People were freaking out, thinking it was a funeral episode!
TVLINE: Who took the news harder, Luca or you?
KENNY JOHNSON: I think Luca did. He was born to do this job, and losing that is a huge blow. It really gets to me; it’s heartbreaking.
TVLINE: Did your journey with Luca over six seasons help you connect with Shemar Moore during that emotional beach scene?
KENNY JOHNSON: Absolutely. In that scene, Luca feels lost without his purpose. It definitely resonated with me and Shemar, especially given our long friendship. We met years ago at a party and have felt like brothers ever since.
TVLINE: Some fans wondered why Street wasn’t there for Luca’s sendoff, but it sounds like your history with Shemar added depth to that moment.
KENNY JOHNSON: A hundred percent!
TVLINE: What was it like standing on stage at the end of the episode, saluted by your castmates?
KENNY JOHNSON: It was overwhelming. Seeing my castmates in their dress blues, knowing the significance of that moment… it was tough. I was saying goodbye not just to Luca, but to friends I’ve bonded with over six years.
TVLINE: Where does Luca rank among your top TV characters?
KENNY JOHNSON: Definitely in the Top 5. Characters like Lem from The Shield and Kozik from Sons of Anarchy are up there too. I love the energy Luca brings and how people react to him. It feels like I’m part of something special when I travel.
TVLINE: Plus, you got to work with your daughter, Angelica, on the show.
KENNY JOHNSON: Yes! Shawn Ryan wanted to write a storyline about a child with dyslexia, and he didn’t even tell them Angelica was my daughter when they auditioned her. She was just eight then, and now she’s almost 15—it’s crazy to see how far she’s come.
This heartfelt farewell underscores the deep connections forged on the show, both on-screen and off.
