Get ready for a shock Law and Order: SVU fans. One of the most beloved characters will soon be leaving the show. Many SVU fans are still trying to get over the loss of Richard Belzer, who left the show a few weeks ago and played Detective Munch. Now they will be losing Captain Cragen as well.

Dann Florek, who plays Captain Cragen, has appeared in over 400 episodes of Law and Order and was originally the captain of the first Law and Order that debuted in 1990. Law and Order: SVU has had a 15 season run so far and Florek has been with it the whole time. Many fans are upset to see Florek leave the show, but there is a good reason behind it.

Show runner Warren Leighr said. “In the real world, which we try to very hard to simulate, NYPD has mandatory retirement before your 63rd birthday. And we were trying to figure out how to deal with it.” “The reason NYPD does it is because you can’t have 65-year-old guys running after guys. It is a hard and fast rule.”

Dann Florek confirmed his departure on Twitter.

Friday was the last day 4 Cragen/Florek. It was a sweet send off! But he'll live on in syndication land 4 evah!

— Dann Florek (@dannflorek) December 9, 2013

Will you be sad to see Captain Cragen leave?

Image from YouTube.