Most Heartbreaking 9-1-1 Character Deaths Ranked | 9-1-1 & Lone Star

The 9-1-1 franchise has introduced many beloved characters over the years, but the long-running procedural and its spinoff haven’t shied away from major deaths. Practically every character in 9-1-1 has a near-death experience as a rite of passage, but most main characters maintain plot armor that facilitates their survival. Nonetheless, there have been countless deaths that linger.

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The intense disasters in 9-1-1 allow for perilous interactions between the firefighters and other emergency responders, but there’s a certain camp factor about the Ryan Murphy franchise that demands an air of levity. Of course, both 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Lone Star incorporated their fair share of serious moments. In fact, some characters' deaths permanently altered the franchise itself.

Timothy Rosewater

9-1-1: Lone Star Season 2, Episode 2

Mark Elias as Tim Rosewater in 9-1-1: Lone Star.

Timothy Rosewater (Mark Elias) was part of the paramedic team at the start of 9-1-1: Lone Star, but his character only came out of the background in the season 2 premiere. After his former paramedic captain was replaced by Tommy Vega (Gina Torres), Timothy shared his frustrations and expressed skepticism of Tommy's fitness to lead the EMTs.

In one of 9-1-1: Lone Star’s most intense rescues, Timothy is struck by a piece of molten lava rock and killed upon impact. His death haunts Owen Strand (Rob Lowe), but it’s much sadder considering how much potential his character had. Timothy’s young age and dedication to medical care could have made him a core member of the team.

Emmett Washington

9-1-1 Season 3, Episode 7

Conversely, Emmett Washington (Jeff Pierre) is only introduced in 9-1-1 posthumously. In the backstory episode for Athena Grant (Angela Bassett), the police sergeant recounts how she fell in love with Emmett and joined the LAPD at his behest. Shortly after the young lovers get engaged, Emmett is shot when he intervenes in an armed robbery.

Athena’s history with Emmett in 9-1-1 is one of the saddest parts of her character, but every detail of his death is heartbreaking. Emmett was off-duty when the robbery occurred, but he felt compelled to step in nonetheless. Athena eventually tracks down Emmett’s killer, only to find he had bettered his life and built the family Emmett never could.

Red Delacroix

9-1-1 Season 3, Episode 16

Rather than be intertwined with a character’s past, Red Delacroix (Jack McGee) had a short but impactful acquaintanceship with Evan “Buck” Buckley (Oliver Stark). Buck tracks down Red, a former firefighter who lost touch with his coworkers and an old lover. In the episode— aptly titled “The One That Got Away”— Buck attempts to reconnect Red with his old flame.

Unfortunately, Red eventually succumbs to his terminal illness. Before his passing, Buck organizes a firefighter’s sendoff for Red in one of 9-1-1’s most heartwarming moments. For one last time, Red rode in a fire engine and was saluted by the 118 as Buck escorted him out of the hospital. Despite only appearing once, Red left a lasting impression.

Thomas & Mitchell

9-1-1 Season 2, Episode 8

Oliver Stark as Evan "Buck" Buckley during 9-1-1 season 8's "Contagion" saga.

Similarly, Thomas (Francis Xavier McCarthy) and Mitchell (Lawrence Pressman) only appeared in a single scene, but their deaths make “Buck, Actually” one of 9-1-1’s most memorable episodes. The elderly couple were only present for one arbitrary call, but 9-1-1 showed Thomas and Mitchell’s entire love story before killing them both off. Consequently, their seemingly random deaths are immensely devastating.

9-1-1 dedicated an entire flashback sequence to show how Thomas and Mitchell met, fell in love, faced opposition, got married, and grew old together. After Mitchell dies in a bizarre accident with their car, Thomas has an emotional conversation with Buck where he explains their relationship. Thomas passes away immediately afterwards, adding the bittersweet detail of the couple dying together.

Tanya Kingston

9-1-1 Season 6, Episode 3

Tanya Kingston’s (Kapri Ladd) death is one of the most distinctive plots 9-1-1 has ever explored. In 1977, Tanya went missing in Athena’s hometown and remained an unsolved cold case for decades. After the child’s remains are found under cement, Athena’s father is falsely accused of her murder. In one of 9-1-1’s masterpiece episodes, Athena uncovers the harrowing truth.

As revealed through flashbacks, Tanya snuck out to a teen party, where she met Reggie Franklin Jr. (Kevyn Morrow). Reggie then tried to force himself on Tanya, a defenseless 8-year-old girl. When Tanya tried to escape, Reggie chased her through a pitch-black orange grove and eventually caught her. Despite justice eventually prevailing, Tanya’s story is easily 9-1-1’s most disturbing.

Shannon Diaz

9-1-1 Season 2, Episode 17

Before she appeared, Shannon Diaz (Devin Kelley) was already a known character due to her estranged relationship with Eddie (Ryan Guzman). After a teen pregnancy, Shannon gave birth to Christopher (Gavin McHugh) while Eddie enlisted in the military. For years, Shannon had no support system, and she struggled until reaching the end of her rope and leaving Eddie.

Shannon suddenly reappears in 9-1-1 season 2, hoping to reconcile their family. Despite her significant growth, Shannon is abruptly killed in a car accident, and her death permanently changes Eddie and their son. Though Eddie and Christopher’s relationship in 9-1-1 has its ups and downs, it’s always saddening to remember how devoted Shannon was to becoming the mother Christopher deserved.

Charles Vega

9-1-1: Lone Star Season 2, Episode 12

Tommy (Gina Torres) and Charles (Derek Webster) in 9-1-1: Lone Star season 2.

Likewise, Charles Vega (Derek Webster) had a brief stint in 9-1-1: Lone Star season 2 that ended in tragedy. Charles and Tommy were undeniably one of the best couples in the 9-1-1 franchise, constantly showing each other unconditional support. Their loving relationship only made it worse when Charles dies from an aneurysm just before the season 2 finale.

At a baseline, it was shocking for Tommy to lose her husband so suddenly, but the manner of his death was just as devastating. There was no spectacle to Charles’ death, no dramatic accident or natural disaster. Charles suffered an inevitable, inescapable aneurysm, making for one of the most realistic and jarring deaths in the entire 9-1-1 franchise.

Gabriel Reyes

9-1-1: Lone Star Season 4, Episode 17

Whereas Charles left behind his wife and children due to natural causes, Gabriel Reyes (Benito Martinez) was brutally murdered by a man he thought he could trust. Shortly before he was meant to officiate his son’s (Rafael L. Silva’s Carlos) wedding, Gabriel is assassinated by Chief Bridges (Alan Autry), his colleague from the Texas Rangers.

Gabriel dying in the 9-1-1: Lone Star season 4 finale was a devastating twist at the worst possible time. Carlos and Gabriel’s relationship was rocky at the start of 9-1-1: Lone Star, but the two mended fences, and Gabriel was ready to support his son. He was even shot in his wedding suit, which he had just excitedly tried on.

Kevin Lee

9-1-1 Season 2, Episode 12

Kenneth Choi as Howard "Chimney" Han walking in Bobby's funeral procession in 9-1-1 season 8, episode 16.

Kevin Lee (James Chen) is introduced in what many consider to be 9-1-1’s best episode: “Chimney Begins.” Kevin was Howard “Chimney” Han’s (Kenneth Choi) best friend and adoptive brother, and Kevin’s parents took Chimney in after his mother died from cancer. The two decide to join the firefighters' academy together, only to be sent to separate stations after graduation.

Chimney and Kevin end up having one final reunion when both stations respond to a blazing building. Before long, Chimney watches as Kevin is killed on the job trying to save a pregnant woman from the fire. Kevin’s death is one of Chimney’s greatest traumas, and Kenneth Choi’s haunting performance during Kevin’s funeral is burned into my brain.

Bobby Nash

9-1-1 Season 8, Episode 15

Angela Bassett as Athena Grant-Nash and Peter Krause as Bobby Nash dancing on a cruise ship in 9-1-1 season 7.

Irrefutably, the most agonizing death in the 9-1-1 franchise was Bobby Nash (Peter Krause), the LAFD’s fire captain who sacrificed himself in season 8. After Chimney contracts a super-strain of CCHF (Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever), Bobby disguises his own symptoms until Chimney is saved by the sole antidote, waiting for his team to evacuate the lab before revealing his illness.

Bobby’s divisive death in 9-1-1 wasn’t just upsetting, however. Since the episode initially aired, viewers have responded with a steady stream of outrage, understandably claiming the captain’s untimely demise could ruin the entire series. Whether 9-1-1 can survive without Bobby remains to be seen, but Krause's departure will surely have dire consequences for years to come.

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