Why The Rookie Killed Off Jackson West

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When previews for the fourth season of The Rookie started coming out, fans quickly noticed a missing character: Officer Jackson West, played by Titus Makin Jr. There was no official word on why, but many guessed his character would be killed off in the premiere—and they turned out to be correct. This led fans to wonder: what caused Titus Makin Jr. to leave the show in the first place?

In the show’s premiere, West’s character was unexpectedly killed off – shot in the back without even being seen on screen. While fans wondered what would happen after the Season 3 finale, many were surprised when the actor who played West decided to leave the show. He had considered not returning for Season 3, but ultimately agreed after discussing his concerns with the show’s creator, Alexi Hawley. The storyline for that season tried to address those concerns, particularly regarding how police work is depicted on TV. However, it ended up being his last full season on the series.

Who Was Officer Jackson West on The Rookie?

West dedicated his life to becoming an ideal police officer, but he soon discovered the job was far more complex than textbooks and training exercises. After a traumatic experience in a shooting, he struggled with the aftermath, a challenge he faced early in the series. The first season powerfully explored the difficult decisions officers make and the importance of exercising leniency. A major turning point came when West discovered his father had manipulated evidence to win a case, which sparked a compelling storyline and helped establish West as a standout character. This revelation pushed him to not only uphold the law, but also to ensure the police department itself acted with integrity.

West brought important LGBTQIA+ representation to The Rookie as one of the show’s few gay characters. The series became known for its romantic storylines, and West was featured in two major relationships. His friendship with his roommate developed into one of the strongest non-romantic bonds on the show. West was a consistently loyal and principled officer. However, his most impactful storyline occurred in Season 3 of The Rookie, when the show began to address the real challenges facing law enforcement.

When West was paired with a new training officer, he quickly discovered his partner held openly racist views. Despite the potential cost to his career, West eventually confronted the officer, Stanton. He then sought help from Sgt. Grey, who assisted him in gathering evidence, leading to Stanton’s initial dismissal. Unfortunately, the firing didn’t last, and Stanton was reinstated, which may have been a factor in West leaving the show.

Why Did Titus Makin Jr. Leave The Rookie?

Luca West started as a key character in the first season of The Rookie and remained important throughout the show. He was promoted to detective in Season 3, which brought the character of Stanton into the storyline. While it took a difficult situation for West, Stanton’s true personality was eventually revealed. West’s strong beliefs in social justice were a defining part of his character, and fans were deeply saddened by his death because of it.

Noah Hawley told TVLine that Titus Makin Jr. wasn’t returning to The Rookie, and they wanted to give his character a respectful send-off. Makin Jr. chose not to come back, which meant the writers had to find a way to explain his departure. He didn’t publicly discuss his reasons for leaving the show, either through interviews or on social media.

Before the third season began, actor Michael Makin hinted at changes sparked by real-world events. He explained that the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor deeply affected him, and he felt he couldn’t play a police officer on the show without acknowledging his own identity as a Black man. Makin told creator Noah Hawley that he preferred to address these important issues through his character, leading to the storyline involving Stanton.

The Strange Nature of Jackson’s Death in The Rookie

Jackson West’s death in Season 3 of The Rookie was both sad and strange. The finale ended with La Fiera capturing Lopez, but when Season 4 began, viewers learned West had also been taken. Security footage quickly revealed Lopez was kidnapped while West was shot and forced into a car trunk. The entire scenario felt unnatural and contrived – and it was. The events surrounding his death didn’t quite ring true.

Regarding the death of his character, West, actor Titus Makin Jr. explained it was a difficult decision, but necessary. Because Makin Jr.’s character had already left the show’s storyline, the writers felt they couldn’t simply have him disappear. They were in a tough spot and needed to find a way to portray West’s death realistically. To manage this, they used a stand-in and filmed only from behind. Since then, Makin has largely shifted his focus to music and fashion, with less emphasis on acting.

As a fan of The Rookie, I was really disappointed with how they handled West’s exit. While the writers said it was a choice to show anyone could die on the job, it didn’t quite land that way for me. Honestly, I think they could have written him off the show without killing him at all. The actor, Makin, wasn’t even in the scene where it happened – we didn’t even see his face! It would have felt more respectful to a character I really connected with if he’d just left the force, or even if they’d kept it off-screen. Killing him completely removes any chance of him coming back, and that feels like a real loss for the show.

Angela Lopez Honored Jackson West After His Death

The death of Jackson West deeply affected everyone in the Los Angeles Police Department, but Detective Lopez felt the loss especially keenly. Lopez was West’s first training officer, and they developed a strong bond that extended beyond their professional relationship, becoming friends. Because of this close connection, Angela grieved West’s death more intensely than many of her colleagues.

West’s departure was a sad moment, but it also brought a new beginning. Lopez, who was pregnant throughout the third season, finally gave birth to her baby. This happy event happened after a difficult time for Lopez, including West’s death and a dangerous kidnapping, making the safe delivery even more special. The episode ended with West’s funeral, where it was revealed Lopez had named her son Jackson to remember him, ensuring his legacy lives on with the characters, even without an official memorial.

What Has Titus Makin Jr. Done Since Jackson West Was Killed Off on The Rookie?

Despite his character Jackson West being killed off in The Rookie, there were still ways actor Alan Thicke Makin could have returned – perhaps in a flashback, or even as a ghost or vision. That’s the great thing about TV – anything can happen! After The Rookie, Makin appeared as a police officer on NCIS: Hawai’i. He’s also been in the short films Aliens on Halloween and Pool Service, Inc., and had a role in Sanaa Lathan’s film On the Come Up. Most recently, he appeared in the Tubi original movie Sins of the Bride.

Fans of actor Makin, Jr. often follow his Instagram, where he shares his music alongside photos and videos. One video playfully alluded to his character’s death on the show The Rookie. It showed him emerging from a car trunk wearing a police uniform with the name tag “East” and a badge. The caption reflected on the past three years, saying he’d experienced significant personal growth, and expressed gratitude for challenges and new opportunities.

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2025-10-31 17:15