After a poignant sendoff in Season 12, Chicago Fire fans were left wondering if they’d ever see Chief Wallace Boden again. The heart and soul of Firehouse 51, played with steady gravitas by Eamonn Walker, stepped away from the station in one of the series’ most graceful exits — taking on a new challenge as First Deputy Fire Commissioner. Now, Season 13 is making good on a long-teased promise: Boden is coming back.
But don’t expect a leisurely coffee catch-up in the firehouse kitchen.
🔍 Boden Returns in “Post Mortem” — and the Stakes Are High
Walker’s return comes in the upcoming April episode titled “Post Mortem,” which promises a twisty, emotionally charged story. According to showrunner Andrea Newman, the episode will unfold in “flashbacks and unique POVs” as Boden is pulled back into the heat of the action — not as a commander, but as an investigator.
Commissioner Carl Grissom (Gary Cole) enlists Boden to unravel the mystery behind a deadly building collapse. The tragedy, which claims the life of a firefighter, demands someone with Boden’s calm leadership and unwavering integrity. And that’s exactly what fans will get: a showcase of the analytical mind and moral compass that made him such a vital part of 51.
🎬 A Flashback-Heavy Mystery That Brings the Fire
The producers are tight-lipped about exactly who died and how it all went wrong, but this won’t be just another procedural episode. With the story told through shifting perspectives and time jumps, “Post Mortem” offers a rare structural shake-up for the long-running series. And at its center is Boden — no longer a daily fixture, but still the man everyone turns to when the unthinkable happens.
💼 From 51 to City Hall — Boden’s Legacy Lives On
When fans last saw Wallace Boden in Season 12’s finale, “Never Say Goodbye,” it was with a heavy heart and a hopeful future. After standing up to the ruthlessly political Danya Robinson (Laura Allen), Boden earned his promotion to First Deputy Commissioner — a powerful citywide role that pulled him away from 51, but gave him the opportunity to make real change across the CFD.
He didn’t leave without reflection. In one of the series’ best-written exits, Boden consulted his wife, his crew, and his own instincts before embracing the next chapter of his career. Fans cried right alongside the firehouse as they said goodbye — not to a friend, but to family.
👏 The Chief Returns — and So Do the Feels
While it’s unclear how much of Boden’s new life we’ll get to see in this return, one thing is certain: he’s not just a guest star. He’s a cornerstone of the Chicago Fire universe. And in a season full of shake-ups, exits, and surprises, Walker’s return is a reminder of the steady leadership that once held Firehouse 51 together — and may still do so in times of crisis.
Whether this is a one-time comeback or a hint of more appearances to come, fans will be thrilled to see Eamonn Walker back in uniform, back in action, and back where he belongs — right at the heart of Chicago Fire.
