In a season packed with moral gray areas, emotional reckonings, and brutal justice, Chicago P.D. Season 12 threw fans into turmoil when Voight took justice into his own hands—again. But this time, fans couldn’t help but wonder: what would Alvin Olinsky have done if he were still alive? The answer is heartbreaking but clear—Olinsky wouldn’t have stopped Voight. And here’s why.
First, Olinsky was always Voight’s silent enforcer, the man who operated in the shadows, understood the rules of the streets, and—most importantly—stood by Voight when no one else would. Their bond was forged in blood, loyalty, and a mutual understanding that sometimes justice doesn’t come with a badge. When Reid murdered an innocent informant and threatened the very fabric of Intelligence, it wasn’t a question of “if” Voight would retaliate—it was a matter of when.
Olinsky, had he survived past Season 5, would’ve seen this move for what it was: Voight protecting his unit and maintaining the brutal balance that keeps Chicago’s criminal underworld in check. And while fans remember Olinsky’s softer moments—his love for his daughter, his quiet wisdom—it’s important to remember that he never flinched when things got dark. He stood by Voight during the Jason Bingham cover-up and even took the fall when the walls closed in.
Stopping Voight wouldn’t have just been unlikely—it would’ve been betrayal. And Olinsky? He wasn’t built for betrayal. His loyalty ran deeper than the law, and in this version of justice, Reid never stood a chance.
In the end, Olinsky’s absence is still felt—but if he had been there, the outcome would’ve been the same. Maybe even bloodier.
