‘Blue Bloods’ concludes: Tom Selleck’s final words at Reagan family dinner

“Blue Bloods” ended after 14 seasons Friday with a tragic death, a shooting spree that takes down the mayor, a pregnancy, a new couple and a secret marriage.

But of course the beloved CBS police procedural could end only one way after the final arrests were made − with the traditional Sunday family meal in the dining room of patriarch Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck), the New York City police commissioner. The family dinner has closed out each of the 288 episodes.

Creator and executive producer Leonard Goldberg dished up the episode-ending concept that lured “Magnum P.I.” star Selleck to join the cast of the police procedural, which premiered in 2010. Selleck, 79, knew the law-enforcement family gatherings would resonate, and fought to keep the show’s ending.

“That meal, at the end of the episode, and Leonard’s gift of casting are probably why we are still around,” Selleck told USA TODAY in February.

Widower Frank sits at the head of the table for the last time in Sunday’s episode, which is dedicated to “Charlie’s Angels” producer Goldberg, who died in 2019. There are jokes about the need for a bigger table as the Reagan family has grown in every way. But it still features the stalwarts: Frank’s father and former New York City Police Commissioner Henry (Len Cariou), Detective Danny (Donnie Wahlberg), Assistant District Attorney Erin (Bridget Moynahan), and Detective Jamie (Will Estes).

Selleck has criticized CBS’ decision to cancel “Blue Bloods” and called for more episodes. But his character’s final sentiments reflect fonder feelings on an impressive 14-season run.

“Looking around this table,” Frank says. “I couldn’t be more proud … or grateful.”

Who got married? Who is having a Reagan baby?

Officer Edit “Eddie” Janko-Reagan (Vanessa Ray) is devastated by the shooting death of her partner, Officer Luis Badillo (Ian Quinlan), part of a shooting spree that also gravely injures Mayor Peter Chase (Dylan Walsh). Assembled police in full dress uniforms salute Luis in the final bagpipe-filled funeral of the series.