How Joe Miñoso Exits ‘Chicago Fire’ As Cruz In Season 15

SPOILER ALERT: The following reveals major plot points for NBC‘s Chicago Fire‘s Season 15 Episode 5 titled “Three Hundred.”

It’s the end of an era on NBC’s Chicago Fire, as we say goodbye to Joe Miñoso, who has played Firefighter Josef “Joe” Cruz since Season 1. And what better way to send him off than on the show’s 300th episode titled “Three Hundred.”

It never gets any easier saying goodbye to actors who leave the series, especially those who have been on the show since Day 1 like Miñoso. But it certainly helps when we see them get their happily ever after, which was the case for Joe, who’s been having a rough go at things since the Season 15 premiere when he suffered a spine injury. Through hardships, the character learns a lot about himself and what he really wants out of life.

The episode opens with Joe getting physical therapy, showing off how far he has advanced in re-learning how to walk. You can feel how dedicated he is to improving his health and getting back to life by how he focuses on breaking his own record of steps.

Later, Joe shows up at 51 and surprises his team with a visit. He reunites with Capp (Randy Flagler), Tony (Anthony Ferraris), and Severide (Taylor Kinney), whom he shares a medical update with. With a big smile on his face, Joe rises from his wheelchair before them and jokes, “My legs finally got the memo.”

He tells the guys that Dr. Archer (Steven Webber from Chicago Med) let him know about some specialized recovery centers that help first responders get back to their jobs. He’s hopeful that within a few months, he will be cleared to get back to life as he once knew it. Seconds later, the fire truck arrives at the station, and Mouch (Christian Stolte) yells out loud, “Joe Cruz!” The rest of the team excitedly celebrates the visit before Severide beckons him to his office.

Battalion Chief Tomlin, played by Doug Savant of Melrose Place and Desperate Housewives fame, invites himself into Severide’s office first to tell him that they need to begin their search for Joe’s replacement. Tomlin gives Severide one week to submit the name of a qualified candidate before headquarters makes the choice for him.

Joe heads home where his wife, Chloe Cruz (Kristen Gutoskie), is busy around the house trying to get things in order while heavily pregnant with twins. She expresses her stress and frustration about all of the responsibilities that have fallen on her since the accident and that she desperately needs help. During the discussion, Chloe starts going into labor and her water breaks. Joe was certain they still had time before the babies would make their grand appearance, as expected, four weeks later, but it soon becomes very real that they’re running out of time.

Joe and their two sons rush Chloe to Gaffney Chicago Medical Center, where she gives birth to two little girls, whom they name Sofia and Elena. Dr. Archer stops by to congratulate the Cruz family and welcome Joe to the #girldad club. Archer reveals he had a chat with his physical therapist, who said his progress was remarkable and that he would hopefully be ready to return to work. The disappointed reaction from Chloe and the kids was expected, but Joe is finally realizing he needs to think about what his family needs now the most.

Joe reconnects with Severide and lets him know, with tears in his eyes, that he’s decided to not come back to 51. He and the family will be moving to Minneapolis to be near Chloe’s mom, who is excited to help them out with the newborns, leaving Joe time to join a program in the Minnesota city. Severide is stunned to hear his decision; after 12 years of riding together, nothing will ever be the same.

The episode ends with Joe paying a visit to Otis’ (Yuriy Sardarov) memorial, which he’s kept an eye on since his death in the Season 8 premiere in 2019. With a promise that Capp and Tony will keep the marble well looked after, Joe says, “I’ll be with you always, brother.”

Severide shows up from behind to congratulate his friend with a cigar in hand, for the man of the hour. The final beats of the episode show Joe surrounded by the devoted and beloved group of men and women he has worked with for more than a decade for a final photo. Right smack in the middle, Joe smiles for the photo, knowing that his contributions to the team will never be forgotten.