When it comes to love stories on Chicago P.D., none has been more enduring, heartbreaking, or emotionally charged than the relationship between Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek. Over the course of twelve seasons, fans have watched their romance unfold in twists and turns that rival the most gripping cases Intelligence has ever faced. From flirtatious beginnings to painful breakups, from a broken engagement to becoming parents together, their journey has been a roller coaster of emotions. And now, as the show pushes its characters into darker, riskier territory, one question haunts viewers: what if Ruzek doesn’t survive? The thought of his death isn’t just a dramatic “what if” for fans — it would represent a tragedy capable of shaking the very foundation of Burgess’s life.
For Burgess, Ruzek has never been just a partner at work. He has been her confidant, her co-parent, and the person who always finds a way back into her heart, no matter how messy things get between them. When she adopted Makayla, Ruzek stepped in without hesitation, becoming not just a support system but a father figure. His devotion to both Burgess and Makayla has been unwavering, even during the times when their romance faltered. It’s this sense of loyalty, of family built not only by love but by choice, that makes the possibility of losing Ruzek so devastating. For Burgess, he isn’t just the man she loves — he’s the anchor she leans on when everything else feels unsteady.
Their love story has always been one of resilience. From the first spark of chemistry in Season 1, it was clear that Burzek had something special. Fans remember the flirtation, the stolen glances, and the tension that built until their first kiss confirmed what everyone already knew: these two were meant to be more than colleagues. But like any great love story, theirs wasn’t destined to run smooth. Ruzek’s fear of commitment led to a broken engagement that left Burgess reeling. What followed were years of on-again, off-again dynamics that mirrored the chaos of their high-stakes jobs. Yet no matter how far apart they drifted, they always found their way back, unable to deny the bond that kept pulling them together.
The adoption of Makayla marked a turning point. Suddenly, their relationship wasn’t just about romance — it was about building a family, about protecting a little girl who had already been through so much. Ruzek’s decision to step into that role proved the depth of his love, not just for Burgess but for the life they were creating together. It was messy, complicated, and sometimes painful, but it was also deeply human. That, more than anything, is why fans remain so fiercely attached to Burzek: they represent a love that isn’t perfect, but real, shaped by hardship as much as joy.
Season 10 brought fans the moment they had been waiting for: a reunion that felt less like a spark reigniting and more like two people finally coming home. It wasn’t the passionate drama of their early years, but something more mature, more grounded, and more meaningful. After everything they had been through, Burgess and Ruzek were ready to move forward as a family. It was the culmination of years of heartbreak and healing, and it gave fans hope that, finally, Burzek might get the happiness they deserved.
But happiness rarely comes easily in the world of Chicago P.D.. After Ruzek’s near-death experience while undercover, the fragility of their future was thrown into sharp focus. Now, with Season 12 raising the stakes higher than ever, the fear of losing him once and for all feels alarmingly possible. For Burgess, the impact of such a loss would be catastrophic. She has fought tirelessly for stability in her life, carving out a sense of safety for herself and Makayla despite the chaos of her job. Ruzek’s death would unravel that stability, leaving her not just heartbroken but shattered, forced to raise her daughter alone while grieving the man who had stood by her through everything.
Fans know too well the pain of losing a beloved character on Chicago P.D. — the memory of Alvin Olinsky’s death in Season 5 still stings. But the loss of Ruzek would cut even deeper. It wouldn’t just be the death of a character; it would be the premature end of a love story that has been carefully, painfully, beautifully built over more than a decade. For many viewers, it would feel like a betrayal of the hope that Burzek has come to represent.
Their story is captured in countless memorable images: the way Ruzek looked at Burgess in those early days of playful banter, the heartbreak in Burgess’s eyes as she walked away from their engagement, the warmth of their family moments with Makayla, and the quiet intensity of their reunion that reminded fans why they had rooted for them all along. Each of these snapshots tells a story of two people who, despite every obstacle, always choose each other.
That is why the mere thought of Ruzek’s death is unbearable. Burzek’s story has never been about perfection — it has been about persistence, about love that survives the storm. To cut it short now would be to deny the very heart of what makes them so compelling. And yet, Chicago P.D. is a show built on the harsh realities of life in law enforcement, where even the strongest bonds can be torn apart in an instant.
For now, fans hold onto hope. Hope that Burzek has more chapters left to write, that their roller-coaster romance still has more highs to come. Hope that Ruzek will not become the latest tragic casualty of Intelligence, but instead will continue to stand by Burgess’s side as her partner, her co-parent, and her forever love. Because losing him would not only devastate Burgess — it would devastate us all.
