How ‘Chicago Fire’ Killed Eamonn Walker’s Sheriff Boden in the Season 12 Finale — and Reveals a Shocking Twist
SPOILER ALERT: This story contains plot points from “Never Say Goodbye,” the May 22 Season 12 finale of “Chicago Fire.”
It was a goodbye night on “Chicago Fire.” The Season 12 finale was Eamonn Walker’s last as Sheriff Wallace Boden. The actor, who has played the chief of Fire District 51 since the series premiered in 2012, will no longer appear on the series starting next season.
After a tough call, Boden decides to run for Deputy Chief, mainly because the people in the department (namely Chief Robinson) won’t be able to lead the department in the way it deserves. If he becomes DC, he’ll have to leave 51 forever. After speaking to the group, he tells Herrmann (David Eigenberg) that on the slim chance he gets promoted, he wants him to take over his job.
Ultimately, Boden thinks he’s been passed over. However, after learning that Stella (Miranda Rae Mayo) has come to Oakland to sponsor him, proving how he can bring people together, he’s appointed as the new Deputy Commissioner of the Chicago Fire Department.
Walker, who appeared in a total of 252 episodes of “Chicago Fire,” is the third main cast member to leave this season, following Alberto Rosende and Kara Killmer, who left in the first half of Season 12. While the season finale seemed like it would end with the gang hugging Boden goodbye, there was actually another secret waiting to be revealed. New firefighter Jack Damon (Michael Bradway), who had kept a secret since joining Fire Department 51, came clean in the final moments. He revealed to Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) that the last call had come for him and he lost his temper because he saw a father mistreat his son. He said it touched his heart, revealing that his father had mistreated him — and that father’s name was Benny Severide.
Benny, played by the late Treat Williams in 16 episodes, was Kelly’s father, who passed away after suffering a stroke in Season 7.
