Leslie Shay (Lauren German) was a key character on Chicago Fire, and her shocking death in the series came as a surprise. Chicago Fire is one of the later installments in the Dick Wolf extended universe of TV shows. Since 2012, the series has followed the firefighters, paramedics, and rescue workers at the fictional Firehouse 51 of the Chicago Fire Department. Dealing with massive fires in the Chicago area comes with plenty of risks and even main characters aren’t always safe.
Leslie Shay was a beloved character in Chicago Fire until her untimely passing. First appearing in the pilot, Shay was originally from Firehouse 87 but was moved to 51. Selfless, supportive, and very funny, Shay was the exact type of paramedic the other firefighters loved having around — someone who would have their back in a dangerous situation but didn’t take everything so seriously. Shay’s great character moments made her Chicago Fire death that much more tragic.
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Chicago Fire has seen plenty of character departures in its 12 seasons, but some actors deserved to get a much better send-off for their characters.
Leslie Shay Died From Being Hit On The Head By A Pipe In Chicago Fire
In season 2, episode 22, “Real Never Waits”, Shay and other officers are called to a boarding school fire while most of the department is away at Chief Wallace Boden’s (Eamonn Walker) wedding. While administering first aid to someone in the building, the school explodes and the season ends with the firefighters outside trying to get a response from Shay. Season 3, episode 1, “Always” picks up right from there, and it’s revealed Shay was struck in the head by a falling pipe and after CPR fails, she is pronounced dead.
It’s later discovered that the fire and subsequent explosion were caused by serial arsonist, Trenton Lamont (Robert Knepper). Though he’s eventually killed in a Chicago P.D. crossover, it’s not enough to get over the sudden shock of losing Shay. The episode up until the fire was a happy one with Chief’s wedding, but it turns immediately grim in the remaining seconds as Shay’s radio goes silent. She’s memorialized by an inscription painted on the cab door of Ambulance 61, her ambulance.
It’s an important tone setter for the series, however, depicting that no matter how beloved or important a character may seem, the danger they face is real and there can be lethal consequences.
Shay’s passing is a sobering one for the characters and the audience alike. There was not much happening in the character’s story to signal her impending death, and it was a brutal death as well. It’s an important tone setter for the series, however, depicting that no matter how beloved or important a character may seem, the danger they face is real and there can be lethal consequences.
“Shay rode on 61. She was part of the DNA of this firehouse. She was our friend. So much new blood in 51 these days, pretty soon the people who never knew Shay are gonna outnumber those of us who did. And they should know whose shadow they’re walking in.” – Kelly Severide remembers Shay in Chicago Fire season 9, episode 2, “That Kind of Heat”.
Lauren German may have been suddenly written off Chicago Fire, but she found a memorable role after, and her work beforehand was notable as well. Her most recognizable performance came after Chicago Fire, in Lucifer, where she starred as Chloe Decker. Decker, like Shay, is a government employee in a dangerous job, an LAPD officer who helps Lucifer solve murders. She’s one of the few humans who seems to be immune to Lucifer’s charms, making for an interesting parallel between that character and Shay, who is also unswayed by flirtatious attention.
