Since its premiere, ABC’s The Rookie has established itself as a fast-paced, emotionally resonant procedural that excels at character development. We’ve watched John Nolan evolve from the oldest rookie to an experienced officer, Lucy Chen transform into an undercover detective, and Tim Bradford find love and professional growth. Yet, amidst all this forward momentum, there’s one major character whose departure was so abrupt and whose memory has been so jarringly erased that it remains a source of frustration for long-time fans: Officer Jackson West.
Jackson West, portrayed by Titus Makin Jr., was one of the original three rookies alongside Nolan and Chen. He was the son of Commander Percy West, a dancer, and, critically, a dedicated officer who grappled with the complex reality of being a Black cop in modern Los Angeles. He was the heart of the early squad, known for his humor and his moral compass, notably standing up against a racist Training Officer, Doug Stanton, in a major season three arc.
But then came the infamous Season 4 premiere, “Consequences,” which handled his exit in what can only be described as the weirdest, most disrespectful fashion for a main cast member.
The Controversial and Abrupt End
Jackson West’s tragic end came during the explosive season four opener. The character was killed off-screen while trying to protect his Training Officer, Angela Lopez, who had been kidnapped by the powerful drug cartel leader, La Fiera.
The show utilized chilling CCTV footage to reveal Jackson’s death—a masked man shot him in the back and threw his body into a trunk. It was a brutal and sudden end designed to immediately raise the stakes for Angela’s rescue mission.
While the dramatic choice fit the cartel storyline, the handling of the aftermath is where The Rookie truly fell short and, frankly, forgot about the character in the weirdest way.
The Problem: A Grieving Process That Never Happened
Jackson was one of the central figures for three full seasons. He was Lucy Chen’s best friend and roommate, Angela Lopez’s respected rookie, and a close friend to John Nolan and Tim Bradford. A death of this magnitude—a murder in the line of duty—should have been a seismic emotional event for the Mid-Wilshire Division that rippled throughout the season.
Instead, once Angela was safely rescued in the same episode, the show seemingly hit the reset button.
- The Funeral/Memorial: There was no formal funeral or memorial service shown.
- The Grief: The raw, ongoing, and inevitable grief of his closest friends was never properly explored past the premiere. Lucy Chen moved on from losing her best friend almost immediately. Nolan and Tim, who had mentored and worked alongside him for years, barely mentioned him.
- The Family: His father, Commander Percy West, a recurring character, was never seen again to mourn his son’s murder, leaving a massive narrative hole.
The most substantial acknowledgment of his legacy was Angela naming her son Jackson “Jack” West in his honor. While a beautiful tribute, this single gesture was treated as sufficient closure, allowing the writers to move on completely. Fans noticed the immediate shift, calling out the series for seemingly erasing a character who deserved a meaningful send-off and a lasting presence in the lives of his friends.
The Real-World Reason Behind the Narrative Slapdash
The narrative’s failure to properly mourn Jackson wasn’t entirely due to “lazy writing” but was dictated by behind-the-scenes circumstances that forced the creative team’s hand.
Actor Titus Makin Jr. made the personal decision not to return for Season 4. In interviews, Makin revealed that in the wake of real-world events in 2020, he found himself conflicted about playing a police officer on television. He felt compelled to speak out on the issues his character—a Black police officer—should have been facing more directly.
While showrunner Alexi Hawley was reportedly understanding of Makin’s position, his departure meant the writers had to scramble. Since Makin was not available to film any new scenes (including a proper death scene, or funeral footage), they were limited to using archive footage and a stunt double for the moment of his death captured on CCTV.
This abrupt, non-negotiable exit forced the show to kill him off-screen in the most immediate way possible to explain his absence, thereby avoiding a drawn-out, complex exit storyline, but the execution ultimately failed to honor the character and his impact on the show.
Why Season 8 Needs to Bring Jackson West Back (In Memory)
While Jackson West is canonically dead and cannot physically return (unless in a bizarre dream sequence), Season 8 must bring his memory back to give the characters and the audience the closure that was robbed by the timing of his departure.
1. The Closure for Lucy Chen
Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) was particularly short-changed. Jackson was the person she leaned on most during their rookie years. As she grows into her permanent role as a detective and navigates the complexities of her Chenford relationship, a meaningful pause to reflect on her journey would be incomplete without acknowledging the loss of her confidant. A quiet flashback or a heartfelt conversation with Tim about Jackson’s influence on her career is long overdue.
2. A Chance for Commander West
The complete disappearance of Commander Percy West is the most glaring oversight. The head of Internal Affairs, a powerful figure in the LAPD, did not appear for his son’s death. Season 8 provides the perfect opportunity for Sergeant Grey or John Nolan to interact with Commander West on a case, leading to a profound, shared moment of grief and remembrance that finally acknowledges Jackson’s legacy within the LAPD hierarchy.
3. A Return to the Show’s Roots
The Rookie has expanded significantly, focusing more on long-form villain arcs and high-stakes criminal organizations. Season 8 is the ideal time to reconnect with the smaller, character-driven moments that defined its early success. A storyline that revisits Jackson’s efforts to reform the police department (perhaps through a case involving his former Training Officer, Doug Stanton) could serve as a powerful reminder of the show’s original themes of internal reform and personal morality, all anchored by the ghost of Officer West.
Jackson West was a crucial pillar of the first three seasons, and his virtual “memory-holing” from the narrative is one of The Rookie’s biggest missed opportunities. Season 8 is the perfect moment for the writers to correct this oversight, allowing the main characters to finally acknowledge their grief and giving the fallen officer the respectful legacy he always deserved.
