Patrick John Flueger in Chicago P.D. Season 13 (Image: Elizabeth Sisson/NBC via Getty Images)

Chicago P.D.’s Patrick John Flueger has been forced to take a sudden leave of absence due to a personal matter.

Patrick plays Adam Ruzek on the NBC hit show and has been part of its cast since 2014. Adam character married his longtime love, Detective Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati), in the show’s season 12 finale, and the TV couple shares a daughter, Makayla, whom they adopted in season eight.

Talking about Patrick, Marina told People, “Patty and I have great chemistry and he’s my best friend in the whole world,” adding that he “truly is one of my closest friends.”

It was announced on October 21 that the 41-year-old will be taking time away from the show but is expected to return before the end of the current season.

According to Deadline, the departure was unexpected, and scripts are currently being reworked to explain the star’s absence.

Patrick John Flueger as Officer Adam Ruzek, and Marina Squerciati as Officer Kim Burgess (Image: Lori Allen/NBC via Getty Images)

This comes as Patrick has allegedly been going through a difficult period in his personal life, with him once using alcohol on set.

However, this isn’t the first time one of Universal Television’s emergency service program cast members has had to take a leave of absence.

In January 2023, Taylor Kinney took a 10-month leave of absence from Chicago Fire, returning for season 12. Taylor also appeared on the NBC franchise’s other shows, Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med.

On January 29, the three shows crossed over with Patrick and Taylor appearing alongside each other. In the episode, characters from Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med came together to save the day after a gas explosion left numerous people in danger — including the staff at Firehouse 51, Gaffney Medical Center, and the Intelligence Unit.

Fans have reacted to Patrick’s leave of absence, sharing their kind words on social media.

“Man, that’s sad to hear. Hope he gets the help he needs to recover. Tough to handle story-wise, will be interesting to see what happens,” one Redditor posted, whilst another added, “Good for him, I’d rather be taken a short break to take care of himself and come back rather than him having the feeling he needs to stay on the show and something happening to him.”

A third Redditor shared their adoration for the star, penning, “Aw sooooo sad!! He’s the reason I watch the show. He’s been the best actor on the show for me since day one. Love him and Burgess.”

“He definitely needs this, good for him,” a fourth person commented.

Patrick John Flueger has not yet commented publicly on the situation.