**Final Salute: CBS' S.W.A.T. Concludes with Epic Finale**

The beloved CBS police drama, S.W.A.T., starring Shemar Moore, has concluded its powerful journey on May 16. The two-hour series finale, comprising the episodes "Ride or Die" and "Return to Base," delivered an action-packed closure. The episodes featured intense narrative arcs involving car jackers and ex-pat Russian mercenaries, who had concealed explosives around Los Angeles. Viewers were treated to a final showdown where Moore's character, Sgt. Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson, participated in a memorable fistfight, while other cast members – including Jay Harrington (Deacon), David Lim (Tan), Anna Enger Ritch (Zoe), and Niko Pepaj (Miguel) – engaged in a high-stakes gunfight to defend their headquarters.

In a climactic turn, the mercenaries attempted to breach the downtown Los Angeles S.W.A.T. building to rescue a captured Russian agent, integral for a prisoner swap involving abducted Americans. Despite heavy damage inflicted on their headquarters, the officers triumphed. A poignant moment followed when Deacon, undeterred by the destruction, reminded his team that “it's just a building, it's the people inside who matter.”

The finale concluded on a heartfelt note with Deacon presenting his squad members with Rolex watches, a gift funded by a bonus from securing a mall contract. Acknowledging the perilous nature of their job, the team responded to another urgent call after touching the S.W.A.T. symbol on their way out, emphasizing their enduring commitment.

Despite past last-minute renewals, CBS decided against renewing S.W.A.T. this time, preferring to make space for new Paramount-owned shows like Sheriff Country. This move also saw the cancellations of other high-profile dramas, including FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International.

Reflecting on the cancellation, executive producer and former showrunner Shawn Ryan expressed gratitude towards the cast, crew, and fans. He highlighted the exceptional efforts of the production crew over the eight seasons and voiced concerns about their future employment following the show's end.

Based on the 1975 TV series and 2003 film, S.W.A.T. was a rare broadcast drama filmed in Los Angeles. Its executive producers included Ryan, Dettmann, Justin Lin, Neal H. Moritz, Marney Hochman, Pavun Shetty, Billy Gierhart, Moore, and James Scura. As fans bid farewell to the series, they remember the remarkable stories and characters that S.W.A.T. brought to life.