Chicago Fire season 7 character preview: Joe Cruz

Where we left off

Cruz had two storylines of his own during Chicago Fire season 6, while being a valuable support player in some of the other big happenings around the firehouse. He was reunited with his brother Leon (guest star Jeff Lima) in the episode “An Even Bigger Surprise” after Leon had been sent out of Chicago seasons earlier.

He then had a brilliant business idea when he invented the Slamigan, a multi-tool that combined two pieces of fire equipment together into one. Cruz, along with other members of Firehouse 51, tried to market the Slamigan as their latest plan for big success. However, Sylvie Brett’s (Kara Killmer) help on the project made Cruz’s feelings for his ex-girlfriend re-ignite, and he intentionally undermined a major sale to keep the buyer away from Brett.

Realizing Brett needed a friend more than she needed a romantic interest, though, Cruz instead pursued his ex-girlfriend Delia when they reconnected on social media. One problem: Delia was married. That didn’t stop Cruz from spending a night with her, or her husband from punching Joe in the face when he found out.

Cruz’s best moments, though, were in someone else’s story. When Otis was shot in the neck by an exploding bullet during a house fire, Cruz had a meltdown—and Chicago Fire fans got to see Joe Minoso’s excellent dramatic chops, which we don’t see often enough.