In a show where bullets fly, betrayals sting, and loyalty is tested in every episode, one thing has remained steady on Chicago P.D. — Kim Burgess. She’s not just a cop. She’s not just part of Intelligence. Burgess is the soul of the squad, the emotional thread tying the unit together through trauma, resilience, and humanity. And as whispers of her possible exit circulate, fans everywhere are left clutching their hearts, wondering: what happens to Chicago P.D. if Kim Burgess is no longer there?
A Character Who Grew With Us
When Marina Squerciati first stepped into the role of Officer Kim Burgess in Season 1, she was a bubbly, bright-eyed patrol cop with dreams of making it into Intelligence. She was green, she was underestimated — but she was also determined. Over the years, Burgess has evolved into one of the most seasoned, emotionally intelligent, and battle-hardened members of the Intelligence Unit. Her transformation wasn’t rushed. It was real, raw, and earned.
From her initial partner dynamic with Officer Roman to her deeply emotional and messy relationship with Ruzek, viewers witnessed a character who constantly gave her all — to her job, to her loved ones, and to her moral compass. In a unit led by the morally gray Hank Voight, Kim Burgess was often the guiding light. She didn’t just do her job; she did it with heart.
A Survivor in Every Sense
Perhaps no other character on Chicago P.D. has endured the level of physical and emotional trauma that Burgess has — and still remained standing. The brutal kidnapping in Season 8, where she was left bleeding out in the trunk of a car, wasn’t just a dramatic twist. It was a test of everything she’d become.
And then there’s Makayla.
Choosing to foster, and eventually adopt, Makayla wasn’t a plot convenience. It was a profound decision that highlighted Burgess’s strength and vulnerability. Her journey into motherhood added new layers to her character — not just as a cop, but as a woman navigating the complexities of trauma, healing, and love. Watching her balance the chaos of police work with the fierce love of a mother made her even more relatable and beloved.
Her Bond With Ruzek — Complicated, Beautiful, Unforgettable
It’s impossible to talk about Kim Burgess without mentioning Adam Ruzek. Their relationship has been anything but easy. From passionate beginnings to heartbreaking breakups, to near-death confessions and a shared daughter — Kim and Adam’s love story is messy and real, just like life.
Fans have rooted for them, screamed at them, and cried over them. Through it all, Burgess remained the emotional anchor. Her vulnerability wasn’t weakness — it was power. Even when she pushed Ruzek away to protect herself, or questioned her own worth, her choices always reflected her depth. And when Ruzek almost died and she whispered, “I’m not ready to lose you,” hearts everywhere shattered.
Their on-again, off-again status may frustrate some, but it’s a reminder of just how human these characters are. And no matter where they stand, Burgess’s presence has always grounded Ruzek — and the show itself.
Why Her Possible Exit Hurts So Much
Now, rumors swirl. Is Marina Squerciati leaving? Is this the end of Burgess? And suddenly, fans are grieving — even before anything is confirmed.
Because losing Kim Burgess wouldn’t be like losing just any character. It would be like ripping the heart out of Chicago P.D.. Her quiet strength, her emotional honesty, her ability to empathize even when the world burns around her — these are traits that elevate the show from just another crime drama to something profoundly human.
Every squad has its muscle. Every squad has its brain. But Kim Burgess is the heart. The one who reminds us what we’re fighting for. The one who makes sure we never forget the cost.
What Happens If She’s Gone?
It’s hard to imagine the Intelligence Unit without Burgess’s steady gaze, her fierce loyalty, and her unwavering moral center. Could someone else step up? Maybe. But it wouldn’t be the same.
Voight, for all his intensity, needs a Burgess. Someone to challenge him with compassion, to question without judgment. Ruzek, with all his bravado, finds his softest self in her presence. Atwater, Upton, Torres — all have leaned on her in one way or another.
Her absence would shift the dynamics of the show in irreparable ways. And more than that, it would create a gaping emotional void for fans who’ve seen themselves in her — in her strength, her breakdowns, her hope.
