What did Otis say when he died on Chicago Fire?

Otis was a beloved Chicago Fire character, and his season 8 death marked one of the most shocking moments in the entire show. It was not only a huge loss for the rest of the 51 squad, but it was a stark reminder as to how dangerous the lives of firefighters can be.

Otis, played wonderfully by Yuri Sardarov, has cast a large shadow over the rest of the 51 since his death. This is particularly true when it comes to Cruz (Joe Minoso), Otis’ best friend and the one who most felt the sting of his absence.

Otis’ final words were something of a mystery at first, but fans eventually learned their meaning along with Cruz. Here’s a recap of what he said and what it meant for the rest of the show.

What were Otis’ last words on Chicago Fire?

Cruz was the last person to speak with Otis before his passing, and the emotionally devastated character told Otis to save a place for him in heaven. Otis responded in Russian, uttering a string of words that Cruz didn’t understand.

It wasn’t until the end of the episode that the meaning of the words came to light. During the unveiling of a statue meant to tribute Otis, Chief Boden (Eamonn Walker) told Cruz that the words translated to “Brother, I will be with you, always.” Cruz is understandably choked up over the revelation.

Otis has remained near and dear to Cruz’s heart, as evidenced by season 10 events. During the 200th episode of Chicago Fire, Cruz and his wife gave birth to a baby boy. After introducing the baby to the rest of 51, Cruz revealed that his name is Brian Cruz and that he’ll be referred to as “Otis”.

Watch One Chicago on fuboTV: Watch over 67 live sports and entertainment channels with a 7-day FREE trial!

Otis’ death was not at the request of actor Sardarov, but rather a narrative choice by showrunner Derek Haas. He told TV Insider that the unexpected quality of the storyline was what made it so appealing.

"“The audience has to be reminded that these calls are dangerous and sometimes people don’t make it”, Haas added. “We thought, what if we killed off Otis and he dies heroically? We realized there was so much emotional landscape we could cover.”"

Painful though his death might’ve been, Otis remains a seminal figure in One Chicago history, and his name will live on through our collective memories (as well as Cruz’s son).

For the latest Chicago Fire season 10 spoilers and news, plus more on the entire series, follow the Chicago Fire category at One Chicago Center.