On set of the "Law & Order: SVU" episode "In The Wind" with, from left, Christopher Meloni, Mariska Hargitay and Dann Florek.
Dann Florek's Capt. Donald Cragen memorialized in the "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" episode "In The Wind."

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" just sent off a beloved captain.

The NBC crime drama celebrated Donald "Don" Cragen in the Season 27 premiere on Thursday, Sept. 25, over 25 years after Dann Florek made his debut as the stern but loyal captain in the series' first episode. Florek played the New York Police Department's Special Victims Unit captain in the "Law & Order" spinoff's first 15 seasons, before the character retired in 2014.

Florek, 75, was on set for the memorial episode, in which his former detective-turned-captain Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and former Special Victims Unit detective-turned-Organized Crime Control Bureau lead Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) reunited to pay tribute.

Last month, Meloni teased the reunion, captioning an Aug. 2 Instagram post: "Hangin with friends on a Friday nite."

Is Dann Florek alive? How 'SVU' honored Cragen

Though Florek is still alive, his character's time on the show came to an end with a who's who of ex-"SVU" stars returning to pay their respects.

Captain Cragen's memorial, held at a New York City bar, brought together many of his former colleagues. The Season 27 premiere saw the return of Benson's former flame and SVU detective Brian Cassidy (Dean Winters) and early series psychiatrist George Huang (BD Wong). Meanwhile, mainstay Sergeant Fin Tutuola (Ice-T) was off duty trying to stop an assault.

After nearly 15 years as a detective, Benson rose in the ranks as a sergeant and lieutenant before being named captain in Season 21. She says in the episode, reminiscing about Cragen: "Everything I know about being a captain, I learned from him." As she exits the bar, Benson meets up with Stabler, as both mourn their aging circle, calling it their "all-our-friends-are-dying era." Former detective John Munch – played by Richard Belzer, who died in 2023 – received a memorial toast in the Season 25 premiere.

Florek has returned for a couple of "SVU" and "Law & Order: Organized Crime" episodes since, before being given a proper send-off in the latest season. Outside of the franchise, his acting credits include playing Dave Meyer on the NBC drama "L.A. Law" and playing Mr. Slate in the live-action 1994 comedy "The Flintstones."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who died on 'Law & Order: SVU'? Captain Cragen gets cast reunion memorial

Reporting by Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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