Captain Donald Cragen died off-screen before the events of the Season 27 premiere of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. The cause of his death has not been clarified in the show. The premiere featured a funeral service honoring Cragen, where former colleagues gathered to pay their respects. His legacy as a dedicated, tough, and compassionate leader who greatly influenced characters like Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler was celebrated. Cragen's last message, shown during the funeral, reflected on his long career, his dedication to his job, and the privilege of serving alongside his team.