Jay Harrington’s character Deacon is exiting SWAT — what lies ahead for him in season 8?

Deacon (Jay Harrington) is a beloved character in the police procedural S.W.A.T., so when it seemed that he would soon be retired, many fans felt disappointed. David “Deacon” Kay, a veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department S.W.A.T. team, is known for his amiable personality and is considered one of the most likable characters in S.W.A.T. At the start of the series, Deacon, although the most senior member of the department, is overlooked for a promotion to team leader in favor of Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson Jr. (Shemar Moore).

Though he is initially disappointed, Deacon demonstrates his professionalism and becomes one of Hondo’s most faithful team members. As for Hondo, he has consistently shown Deacon respect and frequently sought his counsel. As soon as the superiors tried to exploit Deacon for the purpose of tarnishing Hondo’s reputation, he promptly aligned himself with his superior, declaring there was no better leader. As he is one of the most dependable characters in S.W.A.T., fans were understandably dismayed when it appeared in season 7 that his character was leaving the show.