Warning! Spoilers ahead for Chicago Fire season 11 episode 3. Chicago Fire may have already revealed that Chief Hawkins (Jimmy Nicholas) may not actually be dead. After spending the first few months of dating in hiding, Violet (Hanako Greensmith) and Chief Hawkins (collectively known as "Hawkami") are gradually coming out in the open with their relationship. Unfortunately, just as when things are starting to get better after experiencing a near-split during the Chicago Fire season 10 finale, the couple is struck with a terrible tragedy. However, it may not be the permanent end of Hawkami yet.
Since officially getting back together, the couple's respective jobs had kept them from fully enjoying each other's company. They had been treating Hawkins' nearing transfer to a different district as the light at the end of the tunnel, not knowing they had limited time with each other. In the Chicago Fire season 11, episode 3, "Completely Shattered," a cinema fire cut Hawkami's romance short after Hawkins died on the scene after part of the building collapsed on him. Violet tried desperately to save him, but it didn't seem to work.
Despite Chicago Fire season 11 making it look like Hawkins is dead, previously-released set images hint that it may not be the end of him. Nicholas himself shared a series of photos with Greensmith where their characters go on a date in the park. This sequence has yet to be released on the show, which could mean that it's something that will happen later on in the year. Perhaps the great doctors at Gaffney Medical Center are able to save Hawkins at the last minute. It's worth noting that when he was pulled out of the rubble, there were barely any injuries on his head as he was able to cover his face with his forearm. That move could have ultimately saved his life.
What Hawkins and Violet's Date Images Could Really Mean
The behind-the-scenes images could be from a scene that is scheduled to air sometime later in the Dick Wolf-produced first-responder series. That isn't the only possible explanation for it, however. There are two other potential scenarios for the sequence. Firstly, it could be for a flashback — something that has never been shared before on Chicago Fire. Since Hawkins and Violet were dating for quite a while already, they may have previously gone on a trip to a park while they were still keeping their relationship a secret. Secondly, it could be from a dream sequence. As part of Violet's grieving process, she may get visions of her and Hawkins doing the things that they were planning on doing once they can fully date in the open.
Regardless, Chicago Fire did a great executing Hawkins' tragic and unexpected fate at the end of "Completely Shattered." It was a plot twist that nobody saw coming. What makes it more impressive is the fact that it happens the same week that Jesse Lee Soffer exits Chicago PD, which is a massive loss for the police procedural. If anything, Hawkins' tragedy may have even been handled better than how Jay Halstead left Intelligence.
Chicago Fire season 11 airs Wednesdays on NBC.