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Christopher Herrmann is a veteran firefighter and the company officer for the second shift of Engine 51. Herrmann is a self-described "general entrepreneur" and currently co-owns a bar called Molly's with Mouch.

Christopher is married to Cindy Herrmann, and at the beginning of the series, they have four children; three sons, Lee Henry, Luke, and Max, and one daughter, Annabelle. Cindy is noted as being a devout Catholic and is adamantly against using birth control. After backing out of the limousine business he'd attempted to start, he reveals to everyone that after the first time they've slept together in six months, she's expecting their fifth child, another son named Kenny James Herrmann, who is born during the Season 1 Finale. Cindy experiences some complications during labor and ends up giving birth via an emergency C-Section, during which time, Christopher is being held hostage by an inmate at the Cook County prison following a riot. He makes it through the ordeal uninjured and makes it to the hospital, where he gets to meet his son for the first time. At the same time, they ask Shay and Severide to be Kenny's godparents.

Personality[]

He shows great love and care towards his wife and children, to the point that he gets quite upset and depressed when he comes across child abuse cases.

He also developed a near father-daughter relationship with Chili in season 3 as he helps her design her dad's business idea, helping to fund and create it. This relationship greatly fades away by season 4 as she breaks away from him and the rest of 51 after her sister's death.

History[]

Season 1[]

At the beginning of the series, Christopher and Cindy lose their home to foreclosure and end up moving in with Cindy's parents, which he describes as being "two bedrooms shy of unbearable". Herrmann is severely injured when a floor collapses, dropping himself and Casey down from the third floor. His PASS device sounds, alerting the other firefighters of his location, and warning them he hasn't moved. He suffers from several injuries including pneumotorax, but he recovers and is back the next episode.

In an attempt to get his family into another house, Christopher makes several attempts to start his own business, until Cindy finally convinces him that the hassle he's putting himself through isn't worth it. She suggests that instead of looking to purchase another house, they rent. They end up taking a unit in a complex where one of Cindy's co-workers lives. "We'll make it our dream home," Cindy tells him.

Herrmann decides to open a bar close to the firehouse and pitches the idea to the rest of Firehouse 51. They are all hesitant except Otis, who agrees to join, and Dawson, who also jumps in quickly following a rocky relationship with Mills at the time. However, they all go through a tough time dealing with their bully 'silent' partner who wants more shares. However, he stands up to him and tells him he will only get less than 1% of the profit, to which the partner agrees and leaves them alone. While renovating, they find a box with a military medal inside. They track down the owner at a care home and he tells them about his wife who passed away. When Dawson asks her name, they decide to name the bar after her - Molly's.

Cindy has their fifth child, Kenny, in the last episode of season 1 after going through some complications, making Herrmann very happy. The make Shay and Severide Kenny's godparents.

Season 2[]

Herrmann, Dawson and Otis have troubles with Molly's when another, bigger bar opens up across the street from them - attracting all the attention. Their business suffers badly as all the customers end up going there instead of Molly's, including Cruz. Things worsen when Arthur, the silent partner, shows up. He asks for his share, but they don't have anything.

About a week later, the bar opposite Molly's suddenly burns down. Initially, Herrmann is questioned since the bar was competing with Molly's. Meanwhile, Molly's gains publicity and attracts all the new customers. Arthur visits again during rush hour and demands his share. The 3 tip over a few notes and cents from a cup onto the table, insulting him. They tell him it is his exact share of what he gets, which angers him. He tells them he's going to get 50% from then on and expects to be paid all the money the next time he comes. When he comes by later, the 3 don't have his money and this angers him - he smashes a chair at them, damaging the interior. Throughout this, Dawson has met a guy who she finds out is working for Arthur, who she then finds out is working for the CPD, trying to catch Arthur for illegal activities. He comes with Arthur when he arrives and demands for his money again while Dawson is working alone. She refuses and he sets fire to the counter, but Arthur is arrested for his crimes and Molly's is safe from him.

He takes the Lieutenant exam once again and passes this time.

When Rebecca Jones joins Firehouse 51 as the new candidate, her cocky behavior doesn't sit well with any of the members. However, it's revealed that her father is constantly trying to stop her being a firefighter and shutting down all of her ambitions, which eventually drives her to suicide. Herrmann and Mills get into a heated argument following the cause of her suicide. Mills accuses Herrmann and the others of being uncaring and inconsiderate, which Herrmann fights against until revealing his guilt in that he saw her the night before she died and wondered whether him saying something to her would've changed the outcome. They get past this together.

Season 3[]

Herrmann looks into expanding Molly's into a franchise and pitches his idea to the group. Cruz and Mouch want in and after a good presentation, Herrmann happily accepts their proposal of expanding Molly's into the food truck business.

There is tension between Herrmann and Dawson when she reveals that she's going to be a firefighter due to his previous bad experience with a female firefighter. When she finally passes her physical exam and becomes a candidate, Welch rejects her from Truck 66 and quickly recruits a male candidate, which upsets her so Boden overlooks her and Casey's relationship and lets her be the new candidate on Truck 81. This doesn't sit well with Herrmann as Casey makes a habit of overlooking all of her mistakes, forcing him to do the same and not question her. She reveals afterwards that she's deliberately making mistakes to test him and wants him to correct her, otherwise she won't learn. He's happy to hear this and takes her under his wing to train her, sometimes a little too vigorously.

Herrmann also helps Chief Boden when his newborn son is in critical condition after being born.

He also goes through a period of difficulty and darkness after a call reveals that a father smoked drugs in front of his baby son and was eventually the cause of his unfortunate death. He is furious seeing this, having 5 children of his own, and goes after the father. The father is arrested and Casey helps to calm Herrmann down.

Later on, Otis and Cruz join Herrmann in his 'Little League' idea of recruiting young children to play Ice Hockey. Herrmann eventually realises Luke, his son, is terrible and reluctantly benches him after Cruz and Otis point this out. To his surprise, he doesn't actually want to play and happily benches himself.

When Chili joins 51, despite the at-the-time cold welcome, she tries to make friends but doesn't have a lot in common with the others. This is until she reveals she's in the midst of creating and designing a button on the side of beverages to cool them instantly in 5 seconds. Being a business investor, Herrmann immediately jumps in and tells her she can sell it at Molly's as soon as she's finished. He helps her until Sylvie and Dawson tell him to calm and slow down since Chili's spending all of her money on it without leaving any to pay her bills. He tells this to Chili, who thanks him for his help, saying Herrmann reminds her of her own father who died, but created the idea in the first place. They get emotional and he says he will be right with her.

Herrmann and Cindy give Chili Molly's funds to help her idea, for which she is very thankful. They then celebrate their success when she finishes her design and successfully tests it. However, she's left deeply hurt and upset when they find that someone else has already created and launched it on TV. She cries, but Herrmann tells her she will definitely come up with something else and hugs her.

Season 4[]

After Captain Patterson, then chief, tells Cruz to tell Freddie he can no longer come to 51, Herrmann happily offers him a job at Molly's to get him out of the gang life he wants to escape. He's friendly towards him.

During a shift, Otis tells Freddie to get him a ball cup and he goes searching for it. Freddie is searching for the cup when Herrmann walks in and asks him what he's doing. After telling him, Herrmann says 'fat and short, just like you' as a joke. This irritates Freddie, who tells Herrmann to take it back. He refuses and says 'we all insult each other'. This doesn't comfort Freddie, who in a matter of seconds, takes out a dagger and stabs Herrmann. He drops to the floor as Freddie flees.

The doctors reveal that he's lost a lot of blood and it would be difficult for him to pull through. Things heat up between Rhodes (Chicago Med) and Severide after he accuses him of not treating Herrmann properly after Halstead (Med) says something about this to one of the others. However, he pulls through and is back to 51 soon. However, the encounter leaves him shaken and he's constantly on edge his first shift back - constantly worrying about Cindy and his kids, even though he tries to hide this. He also tells Cruz not to mention Freddie to him again. He makes a statement against Freddie in court.

Freddie's father, also in prison, requests that Herrmann see him. Cruz tells him not to go and he agrees, but ends up going anyway. He reveals that he used to beat Freddie and is the reason why he is the way he is. This makes Herrmann sympathetic and he retracts his statement. Cruz helps him through it.

Season 5[]

Herrmann and the other members of Truck 81 report their concerns about Jimmy Borelli to Boden and he is in attendance at Casey and Dawson's wedding. Other storylines include him dealing with Lee Henry and continuing to operate Molly's. in the Season 5 Finale, he is seen performing CPR on Mouch, who appears to be having a heart attack as an out of control fire rages around them.

Season 6[]

Herrmann, as well as the rest of the firehouse, return to normal after the fire, despite him being burned by boiling steam from the water cannons.

Season 7[]

During a charity picnic, Chief Boden makes an announcement where he promotes Herrmann to Lieutenant and places him in charge of Engine 51 to replace the retiring Lieutenant.

Season 8[]

In Sacred Ground, Herrmann and the squad realize the station is infested with bed bugs. He is quite upset about this and insults whoever was responsible for the mess. When he and Kidd stop by his home, Cindy tells him that their house is being fumigated because of bed bugs. This causes Kidd to laugh at the fact that Herrmann caused the ordeal as Herrmann tells her not to tell the others.

During Light Things Up, Herrmann is annoyed by a riot that breaks out at the firehouse. One of the protesters explains the reason for it is the closure of their local firehouse increasing response times and thus affecting their safety, including children. He asks Herrmann if he has kids himself and Herrmann confirms this. When the protest nearly gets out of hand, the alderman comes down, but the protest leader requires medical attention after his blood starts to clog up due to holding his arms in suspension for too long. Herrmann and the rest of the squad quickly help him, and as the man is loaded into the ambulance, Herrmann tells him to make sure that he recovers due to the fact that he has children waiting on him. When the rest of the protesters get violent and start a fight, Herman and the others defend the house until the police arrest the protesters. Herrmann and the squad then visit Cruz, who was injured in the protest and left with a scar on his head, and get him ready for his wedding. Herrmann visits the protester to tell him that his actions have actually done good, showing him Gallo's video of the events that followed. The video garnered mass attention and his firehouse might reopen. Herrmann and the others then attend Cruz's wedding.

In 51's Original Bell, he and the others eavesdrop on Blake arguing with Violet, surprised by him abruptly proposing to her before she leaves in shock. Herrmann is later at Molly's, where he and the others welcome Capp back. After teasing him on his eyesight and him returning the taunt, Herrmann allows free drinks to everyone to celebrate the recovery of his comrade.

Season 10[]

in The Right Thing, Herrmann hears a customer at Molly's making homophobic remarks directed at Darren Ritter and his partner Erik. He tells the customer to leave the bar, backed up by everyone from 51 present and many of the other customers. Not long after, he is on the scene as the same homophobic customer crashes his car not far from Molly's, and is there to help extinguish the car's flames after Ritter pulls the customer out of the car.

When Matthew Casey returns from Oregon after spending time with Griffin Darden and Ben Darden, Herrman is the first person Casey tells about what is going on. Casey tells Herrman how Andy Darden's two sons are now all alone in the world (their mother is in a correctional facility on another DUI charge, and their aunt ran out on them a month ago), and are in danger of being split up and sent to separate foster homes unless Casey becomes their legal guardian. Casey tells Herrmann he may have to move to Oregon, and Herrmann tells Casey "It breaks my heart to hear you say that. Because it means you're leaving 51. But it's what Andy would have wanted." (The Right Thing)

Abilities[]

  • Skilled Fighter: Herrmann has been shown to be a skilled fighter with some knowledge of boxing.

Memorable Quotes[]

  • "Lee Henry! I'm not gonna tell you again! Put the stick down before I beat you with it!" 1x02
  • "I'm healed! I'm healed! It must've been living with my damn in-laws that was breaking me down!" 1x02
  • "Like I said, it is not going to be all sun shine and roses" 1x24 (to Kenny Herrmann)
  • "The difference between winners and losers is not who's the strongest; but who can recognize the strongest opportunity!" 2x10
  • "If you need to talk, I've got club soda up the ying-yang. Just come and park it here. We'll solve the mysteries of the world." 2x18
  • "It's my job as an old firefighter to teach the young firefighters how to become old ones." 3x06 (to Dawson)
  • "Gays, firefighters and gay firefighters." 10x4 (to homophobes in his bar)

Notes and Trivia[]

  • Christopher is known for his failed business opportunities.
  • He passes the Lieutenant exam in 2x14, but he isn't promoted until 7x03.
  • He is the same age as Mouch.
  • Along with Boden, Mouch, Casey and Cruz, he is one of the members of the firehouse to be married.
  • He, Boden and Cruz are the only ones to have children.
  • He has the most appearance on Chicago PD, appearing in 14 episodes. As of start of Season 10, he has appeared at least once in every season until Season 7. Season 3 with the most appearance with 6 episodes.
  • He, Mouch and Boden are the three veterans at Firehouse 51.
  • His father was not always around.
  • His blood type is AB
  • Growing up he spent many summers at his uncle Leslies goat farm ("Completely Shattered")

Gallery[]

Appearances[]

Season 1
Pilot Mon Amour Professional Courtesy One Minute Hanging On
Rear View Mirror Two Families Leaving the Station It Ain't Easy Merry Christmas, Etc.
God Has Spoken Under the Knife Warm and Dead A Little Taste Nazdarovya!
Viral Better to Lie Fireworks A Coffin That Small Ambition
Retaliation Hit Leaders Lead Let Her Go A Hell of a Ride
Season 2
A Problem House Prove It Defcon 1 A Nuisance Call A Power Move
Joyriding No Regrets Rhymes with Shout You Will Hurt Him Not Like This
Shoved In My Face Out With a Bang Tonight’s the Night Virgin Skin Keep Your Mouth Shut
A Rocket Blasting Off When Things Got Rough Until Your Feet Leave the Ground A Heavy Weight A Dark Day
One More Shot Real Never Waits
Season 3
Always Wow Me Just Drive the Truck Apologies Are Dangerous The Nuclear Option
Madmen and Fools Nobody Touches Anything Chopper Arrest in Transit Santa Bites
Let Him Die Ambush Predator Three Bells Call It Paradise Headlong Toward Disaster
Red Rag the Bull Forgive You Anything Forgiving, Relentless, Unconditional I Am the Apocalypse You Know Where to Find Me
We Called Her Jellybean Category 5 Spartacus
Season 4
Let It Burn A Taste of Panama City I Walk Away Your Day Is Coming Regarding This Wedding
2112 Sharp Elbows When Tortoises Fly Short and Fat The Beating Heart
The Path of Destruction Not Everyone Makes It The Sky is Falling All Hard Parts Bad for the Soul
Two T's What Happened to Courtney? On the Warpath I Will Be Walking The Last One for Mom
Kind of a Crazy Idea Where the Collapse Started Superhero
Season 5
The Hose or the Animal A Real Wake-Up Call Scorched Earth Nobody Else Is Dying Today I Held Her Hand
That Day Lift Each Other One Hundred Some Make It, Some Don’t The People We Meet
Who Lives and Who Dies An Agent of the Machine Trading in Scuttlebutt Purgatory Deathtrap
Telling Her Goodbye Babies and Fools Take a Knee Carry Their Legacy Carry Me
Sixty Days My Miracle
Season 6
It Wasn't Enough Ignite on Contact An Even Bigger Surprise A Breaking Point Devil's Bargain
Down Is Better A Man's Legacy The Whole Point of Being Roommates Foul is Fair Slamigan
Law of the Jungle The F Is For Hiding Not Seeking Looking for a Lifeline The Chance to Forgive
The One That Matters Most Put White on Me When They See Us Coming Where I Want to Be The Strongest Among Us
The Unrivaled Standard One for the Ages The Grand Gesture
Season 7
A Closer Eye Going to War Thirty Percent Sleight of Hand This Isn't Charity A Volatile Mixture
All the Proof What Will Define You The Solution to Everything Always a Catch Inside These Walls
You Choose Make This Right The Plunge It Wasn't About Hockey What I Saw
Fault in Him Move a Wall No Such Thing as Bad Luck Until the Weather Breaks Try Like Hell
The White Whale I'm Not Leaving You
Season 8
Sacred Ground A Real Shot in the Arm Badlands Infection, Part I Buckle Up
What Went Wrong Welcome to Crazytown Seeing Is Believing Best Friend Magic Hold Our Ground
Where We End Up Then Nick Porter Happened A Chicago Welcome Shut It Down Off the Grid
The Tendency of a Drowning Victim Protect a Child I'll Cover You Light Things Up 51's Original Bell
Season 9
Rattle Second City That Kind Of Heat Smash Therapy Funny What Things Remind Us My Lucky Day
Blow This Up Somehow Dead of Winter Escape Route Double Red One Crazy Shift
A Couple Hundred Degrees Natural Born Firefighter Don't Hang Up What Comes Next A White-Knuckle Panic
No Survivors
Season 10
Mayday Head Count Counting Your Breaths The Right Thing Two Hundred
Dead Zone Whom Shall I Fear? What Happened at Whiskey Point? Winterfest Back with a Bang
Fog of War Show of Force Fire Cop An Officer With Grit The Missing Piece
Hot and Fast Keep You Safe What's Inside You Finish What You Started Halfway to the Moon
Last Chance The Magnificent City of Chicago
Season 11
Hold On Tight Every Scar Tells a Story Completely Shattered The Center of the Universe Haunted House
All-Out Mystery Angry Is Easier A Beautiful Life Nemesis Something for the Pain
A Guy I Used to Know How Does It End? The Man of the Moment Run Like Hell Damage Control
Acting Up The First Symptom Danger Is All Around Take a Shot at the King Never, Ever Make a Mistake
Change of Plans Red Waterfall

Crossover Appearances[]

Chicago Med[]

Chicago PD[]

Chicago Justice[]

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