After more than a decade of serving as one of Chicago Fire’s most beloved characters, Joe Cruz (played by Joe Miñoso) is facing his most difficult challenge yet. In the shocking episode “A Favor” from Season 13, Cruz finds himself at the center of a dangerous criminal scheme that threatens to destroy his reputation and future.
Cruz’s troubles begin when Junior Polanco (Richard Cabral) blackmails him, leading him to reluctantly participate in a break-in at Firehouse 51. The heist, which was meant to cover up a dark secret from his past, spirals out of control when Cruz gets caught in a crime that could bring down everything he’s built. Though his injuries are minor, the fallout from the break-in leaves a trail of forensic evidence that could implicate Cruz in a series of crimes.
As his mental and emotional state begins to deteriorate, Cruz faces the ultimate moral dilemma: come clean and risk exposing his long-buried secret, or continue lying and risking permanent exile from Firehouse 51. The stakes have never been higher for Cruz, and Miñoso’s portrayal of his character’s internal conflict has struck a chord with fans.
In an interview, Miñoso spoke about the arc, saying, “This is the most layered material I’ve gotten to work with. Cruz has always had a good heart, but now we’re seeing what happens when a good man makes one bad call… or maybe a few bad calls.”
Miñoso also addressed the rumors of his departure from the show, saying, “I don’t know how it ends. But I do know that I’m proud to still be here telling this story. It’s been the best role of my career.” Whether Cruz will find redemption or be forced to leave Firehouse 51 for good remains a pressing question as Season 13 continues.
Cruz’s potential exit would be a massive shift for Chicago Fire, especially since he’s one of the original characters still around. His relationships with characters like Severide, Herrmann, and Boden have helped keep the show grounded, and his absence would leave a significant void.
As Cruz grapples with his darkest hour, fans remain divided on whether he deserves redemption or if his actions are unforgivable. Social media has been abuzz with debates, with some fans demanding that Cruz be given a second chance, while others feel that his betrayal cannot be overlooked.
With the season’s final episodes fast approaching, the question remains: Will Cruz find a way to make things right, or will his missteps cost him everything? One thing is for sure—this storyline is set to be one of the most emotionally charged moments in Chicago Fire history. Fans will be holding their breath to see what happens next for Cruz and the rest of the Firehouse 51 crew.