Jesse Lee Soffer Shares a Heartfelt Message for Fans After Halstead's Exit

After it was reported over the summer that Jesse Lee Soffer would be exiting Chicago P.D. at some point during Season 10, the time finally came with a heartbreaking episode.

During Season 10 Episode 3's "A Good Man," Det. Jay Halstead resigned from the Intelligence Unit and left his wife, Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos), to chase down drug cartels in Bolivia. The lines of justice were becoming blurred for the cop, and it was becoming too much for him to take. 

"We all really wanted to do justice for Halstead's character as best we could—to who he's been for the show— we really wanted to make that decision to leave his own decision. For it to come from him," showrunner Gwen Sigan told NBC Insider. "It felt important to keep him alive and keep him out in the world trying to do good. The idea of him getting back to who he was gave us that opportunity. The army's always been integral to who he is. I think that time with the rangers shaped him, his morals, his compass, and it was fitting that he'd want to get back to that; to some sort of simplicity and an idea of 'right and wrong.'"

Soffer, who played Halstead since the series' Pilot in 2014, received an outpouring of support from fans following the episode. In a show of thanks, he offered a heartfelt message on Twitter.

"For anyone that’s ever been a Halstead fan, I just want you to know that I’m grateful," he said. "Thank you for going on this journey with me. I’m just grateful."

He continued, "If I could like every single tweet I would. I appreciate all the love. It means so much to me. Thank you."

Watch Chicago P.D. on NBC Wednesdays at 10/9c and next day on Peacock.