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Ryan Tanner was a police officer who often worked closely with the firefighters of SFD Station 19 and was Andy's childhood best friend and ex-boyfriend. He died after accidentally being shot by a young child who found his mother's gun.

History[]

Early Life[]

When they were twelve, Andy had the idea to hot wire her father's car.[1]

When Pruitt went to New York after 9/11 to help, Ryan stole his father’s credit card to buy Andy a ticket to get her to New York so she could bring him back home.

On the day of Andy's graduation from the fire academy, Ryan was arrested. He was given one phone call and used it to call Pruitt, who came to bail him out and understood why he hadn't called his father instead.[2]

Working with Station 19[]

Ryan responded to a call about an apartment fire. When he responded, he parked his squad car in front of a fire hydrant, so when the SFD responded, Andy used the fire engine to push it out of the way, angering Ryan. When Pruitt collapsed during the fire and Andy started crying worried about him, Ryan was able to get her to calm down. Later, Ryan came over to check on Andy and they had sex.

The next day, Ryan, Jack, and Andy freed Becca, who was trapped between two buildings. He also told Andy they didn't have to talk about the sex and they were good.[3]

Ryan was the police response to a fire alarm pulled at Stratford Middle School.[4]

When Andy was working on an overturned tanker, Ryan went to pick up Pruitt to take him home, but Pruitt insisted on going to the station instead.[5]

Ryan then took Pruitt home. After he dropped Pruitt off, he was summarily dismissed.[6]

When he arrested Maya's brother, Mason, for shoplifting art supplies, he called her to see him. Maya later opened up to Ryan about how Mason got shafted by their parents because he wasn't the prospect that she was. He agreed to keep an eye out for Mason while he was doing his patrols.[7]

Ryan and the other officers helped the SWAT team with a raid to take down a drug dealer. Maya and Andy provided an Aid Car backup just in case anyone got hurt. When an officer was shot, they called in the car after the arrests had been made.[8]

When Andy had to go through The Incinerator, Ryan gave her a good luck charm they'd passed back and forth as kids. At the end of the day, she returned it and told him it hadn't gone well.[9]

When the police and fire departments had to work together for a disaster-preparedness drill, Jack developed a plan. Ryan didn't like the plan and saw many issues with it.[10]

A fire started at Flanner's restaurant and quickly spread to the rest of the strip mall. The police department was called to respond. Ryan rushed in to help evacuate, despite not wearing turnout gear. They evacuated all the survivors they could quickly while Maya, Dean, Vic, and Travis set up the lines to douse the fire. Once the structure became too unstable to continue, they prepared to start the water and ended evacuations. They then noticed a woman on the balcony holding a baby. Jack took the ladder from the engine over to her, but it took time and so Ryan asked the woman to toss down her baby, so she'd be ready to jump to Jack when he got close enough. After some hesitation, she tossed down her baby and he caught it. Then she was able to jump onto the ladder with Jack and was taken safely to the ground. Ryan and Jack shook hands and each agreed the other had done good work.[11]

Ryan and Karen Reis responded to a 911 call from Oliver, who complained that his wife, Audrey, had started a fire to burn his stuff. After Station 19 arrived to deal with the fire, Ryan, Karen, Audrey, and some of the firefighters ended up trapped in the garage due to Audrey's advanced security system. With the fire in the house, the garage started to heat up. They searched for anything they could use to try to free themselves. They found a toolkit, which Karen used to pick the lock on the trunk of the car and retrieve a jack. They tried to use the jack to lift the garage door, but it wouldn't budge. As the temperature climbed, Ryan decided to hot wire the car and try to use it as a battering ram. Jack said it was a bad idea, but Ryan started it anyway. Andy was able to stop him before he moved the car. Jack had the idea to use the motor from the internal door to get access to the house. It didn't work and they started to wear out. When Pruitt arrived and gave Andy a pep talk, she used the last of her energy to think of a plan. She saw the water heater and decided they could use the pilot light to create an explosion. They siphoned gas from the car and rigged the water heater up to explode and propel itself through the garage door. It worked and once they were free, they were all cooled down and rehydrated.[12]

Skyscraper Fire and Helping Pruitt[]

Ryan and other cops went over to the skyscraper fire and stepped in to help out. He was eventually sent out by Ripley, who didn't want anyone in the building for too long. He went from there to Station 19 to pick up Pruitt, who was having trouble breathing. He found Bailey there, also looking for Pruitt. They found Pruitt not breathing and pulseless. Bailey started CPR and Ryan drove his car as close in as he could to get Pruitt out.[13]

Ryan and Bailey got Pruitt to the hospital, where she immediately started tending to him. He was quickly stabilized. A clot had gotten to his heart, which is why he was having trouble breathing. Ryan also learned that this was a good thing. The chemo caused the clot, but it was also working on the cancer. He was only a few treatments away from remission.[14]

When Max Forrester disappeared from Grey Sloan Memorial, Ryan and the SMPD were called out to find him. Ryan and Brit Logue spotted Max walking along the street and called out to him. This spooked Max, who then ran into a storm drain and got swept away. Ryan called it in as a Search and Rescue. He then helped the firefighters' efforts to find and recover Max.[15]

In order to foster cooperation between the fire department and police department, Sullivan sent Jack on a ride-along with Ryan. Ryan told Jack he wasn't allowed to leave the squad car for any reason because he was a civilian. They were on traffic duty. They first pulled over Vince, who was speeding to get home because he had burned himself on hot coffee and wasn't wearing pants or underwear. Jack used the megaphone to ask Vince about his burn and then advised him that he'd need medical attention and offered a police escort to the hospital. After that was complete, Ryan pulled over Gregory Dougal, who was also speeding. He said he was on the way to a birthday party with his daughter, Lindy. Ryan said he'd be right back and went back to the squad car. He immediately radioed in to say he suspected a child abduction. Jack was shocked that Ryan had figured that out based just on the traffic stop. Ryan pointed out what he'd seen and confirmed that there was an Amber alert out for Lindy, who was the subject of a custody dispute. They waited for backup, but when Gregory clearly became restless, Ryan went over to the car and calmly told him not to do what he was planning because it wouldn't end well for him. He was able to talk Gregory into surrendering. Jack sat with Lindy until her mom came. The mom thanked him, even though he tried to tell her that Ryan was actually the hero. When Jack told Ryan about that, he said he's used to it because cops aren't seen as the heroes like firefighters are.[16]

Reunion with Greg[]

At a bust, Ryan noticed a familiar cigar burning on the poker table. He then went to find his father, Greg, whom he suspected was nearby. He found Greg hiding and Greg, surprised to see him, immediately said he'd give them whatever information he had in order to make a deal. Ryan said they weren't after him and he'd just have to give a statement. After giving his statement, he asked Ryan for a ride. Ryan tried to decline, but ended up taking Greg to his next call, where he left Greg in the back seat while he interviewed someone who claimed to have been robbed. Greg told Ryan that the guy hadn't been robbed and explained why. Ryan then revealed he knew the whole time, because Greg had taught him to think like a criminal his whole life. At the end of the day, Greg told Ryan that he wanted to grow a relationship with Ryan, but Ryan said he didn't need one or want one.[17]

The firefighters of station 19 held a training session for the police officers, teaching them first aid and CPR. Ryan ended up in Andy and Vic's group. Andy showed him how to do compressions and set him up on a dummy, telling him to do compressions until it beeped back to life. He did many compressions, before stopping and saying the dummy must be broken because Andy wouldn't let him stop.[18]

His father said he wanted to meet with Ryan and Ryan asked Andy to meet with him. They met at a coffee shop, but after 45 minutes, his dad hadn't shown up, so Ryan decided to leave because he said he was tired of waiting for his father. Later, Greg showed up at the station injured looking for Pruitt. He told Ryan and Andy that he got in the middle of a fight when he tried to help a kid and his phone was broken. Ryan didn't believe him. [19]

While at Friendsgiving with his father, Ryan found out there was a warrant for Greg's arrest. The FBI was involved in the case as well. He went to Pruitt with the information, but Pruitt said he wouldn't tell anyone if he just wanted to enjoy the day with his father. When the firefighters were called away due to the windstorm, Greg had the idea for the rest of them to bring Friendsgiving to the station. While they waited for the others to return, they played cards and reminisced. At the end of the day, Ryan went to Greg and showed him the warrant. Then he said he could arrest Greg and take him in or Greg could leave, no questions asked, but Ryan would never see him again.[20]

Greg told Ryan to turn him in and Ryan agreed, but said they were still grounded because of the storm, so they went back to the party. Ryan kept putting off arresting Greg, even as Greg told him to do it.[21]

Four months later, Ryan attended the ceremony where Andy was awarded a medal of valor. When she ran out of the room abruptly without a word, he knew she felt guilty and didn't feel she deserved an award. Later that day, at the party celebrating Andy's medal, the two of them had sex.[22]

Ryan was surprised when he saw Greg, as Greg was supposed to disappear. He gave Ryan the key to a storage locker, saying he wants him to have it. Ryan then went to Seattle Presbyterian Hospital, where Margaret Chen was waiting to be arrested after escaping custody. Margaret asked Andy for just a few minutes to say goodbye to her son, who was having surgery and worried he'd die without getting to see her again. Ryan agreed and took her inside to see her son. Then he arrested her and brought her out of the hospital. He then went to the storage locker, where he found a large amount of money, which Greg swore was clean. He told Ryan to use it for the mortgage.[23]

Helping Pruitt Sell the House[]

When Pruitt put his house on the market, he immediately started getting offers. He enlisted Ryan's help to look into all the potential buyers' criminal histories. He also confessed to Ryan that he felt he'd become too comfortable in the house and he wanted to move forward.[24]

Dating Jenna[]

At the scene of a call, Maya asked him if he would be over later for a booty call with Andy. As there was some awkward chatter, with Ryan saying that wasn't sure yet, Maya stressed that booty calls could be just that. After Maya walked off, Ryan told Andy he might be over but she said she might be busy that night. That night, as the women headed to a bar, they ran into Ryan, who introduced his colleague Jenna Matson to Andy as his friend.[25]

Before work, Ryan sought out Ben at the station to inquire about getting EMT-certified like Jenna. Since Ben was swamped, he directed Ryan to Andy. At work, Jenna told Ryan that she was free after shift. As he expressed interest in a second date, Pruitt came bursting in to talk to Ryan about Andy, whom Pruitt assumed had come to Ryan to talk about her catching her father with Reggie. Ryan said he hadn't had any contact with Andy at all recently. While out at a scene, Jenna questioned if Ryan's long history with Andy was what made him hesitant to go on another date with her. She made it clear her invitation for the date didn't stand if Andy was still a thing for him. He told her she wasn't. He then approached Andy, who was surprised that he finally wanted to get his EMT-certificate per Jenna's suggestion despite Andy having told him to get it about a hundred times before. Ryan told Andy that they had to stop sleeping together since he was going on a second date with Jenna. She understood and wished him good luck. Ryan and Jenna went to have dinner at a restaurant and they had a nice time.[26]

Ryan and Jenna responded to a call of kid gone missing in his building in the middle of a black-out. They met up with the crew from Station 19. Per Kathleen's suggestion, the police officers each paired up with a firefighter to search the building. Jack picked Ryan, who feared things would get tense between Andy and Jenna. Andy and Jenna found the kid stuck in the industrial washer in the basement. Ryan and Jack fetched the extraction tools. Ryan then aided in the building's evacuation. After the call, Kathleen and Ryan joined the crew for drinks. Ryan was surprised to see that Andy and Kathleen actually got along really well. Jack wished him good luck with that.[27]

At a scene, Andy overheard how Ryan defended her father when his new EMT colleague was disrespectful to him. Andy later thanked him for that.[28]

After a coffee plant fire, Station 19 responded to a call about a civilian climbing up on a cell tower. Ryan met the crew at the scene. Vic climbed the tower to talk the civilian into coming down with her. On the ground, Andy arrived to inform Vic that Lucas Ripley had been exposed to a potent toxin at the coffee plant fire. While Ryan thought it was too perilous to switch Vic out, Robert overruled him and the crew enacted the switch. After Andy successfully got the woman down, Ryan joined the firefighters at the hospital, where they all waited outside as Vic spent time with Ripley in his dying moments. While they were waiting, Ryan noticed how Andy held Robert's hand to comfort him. Ryan immediately figured out that Andy had feelings for him. He asked Maya how long that had been going on but Maya told him it was new to her too.[29]

San Diego and Death[]

With a wildfire raging in Los Angeles, Ryan dropped off supplies at the station as a contribution to the Seattle Fire Department's efforts to support LAFD. He informed Andy that the day after Ripley's funeral, he would move to San Diego for a few months with Jenna as they had both been accepted into a tactical paramedic program. She told him she was happy for him and he replied he was happy for her and Sullivan, too, having seen them holding hands after Ripley's death. She claimed there was nothing going on and left for a call on the aid car. After the funeral, Ryan hung out at the wake with the firefighters. He complimented Robert on his moving eulogy and they played shuffleboard together.[30]

On the morning of his departure, Ryan called Pruitt to come collect Travis from jail after his bar brawl with Jeremy Heffington. Pruitt took advantage of his leaving to hitch a ride for Travis and himself to Los Angeles, following the crew of Station 19, which had been deployed to aid in battling the wildfires. As they neared the city, Ryan confessed being anxious over approaching a wildfire with all his possessions in his car. As Ryan said he'd be gone for a while if the training went well, Pruitt grunted, which Travis translated to Pruitt telling him he would miss him. The three of them arrived at the basecamp and found out that Station 19 was isolated in a neighborhood. While looking for their badges, Pruitt found Ryan's bag with the money he had been given by his father. He advised Ryan not to let his father's bad decisions ruin his life and throw the money away, figuring he would be arrested if he used it. Ryan aided in saving the crew by boasting the communication system, which he had read up in preparation for his training. With Andy safe back at the tent, she said goodbye to him, wondering what life would be like without having him around the corner. He pointed out she had moved on a while ago. She told him to be safe, after which he left. Once he was by himself, he went to burn the money but decided against it at the last moment, taking it with him to San Diego.[31]

At one point, Pruitt paid Ryan a surprise visit to tell him something. Over drinks and Pruitt's medical marijuana, Pruitt revealed that he had cancer and that he was not going to have chemo, because chances were it wouldn't work and he didn't want to die while sick from the chemo. They laughed about it while high. Later, Pruitt said that he was going to die soon and he needed for Ryan to take care of Andy since Ryan would be the only one she would have left. Ryan agreed to his request. Pruitt said he couldn't tell Andy yet because she would harass him for not getting chemo. Ryan reminded Pruitt that he had a girlfriend and Andy had her own romantic issues going on. Pruitt told Ryan to always the girl how he felt so he wouldn't end up with regrets.[32]

S193x02-4

Ryan returns to Seattle.

Two weeks later, Ryan showed up on Andy's doorstep as a surprise but his welcome was cut short when a neighbor started screaming. He and Andy ran over to the apartment. Milo let them in and they found his mother, Ruby, bleeding in the kitchen whilst holding her baby. Ruby had cut her wrist on a broken wine glass while doing the dishes. While Andy had her lie down, Ryan took the baby and tried to reach 911 but they kept putting him on hold. Ruby was also afraid she couldn't afford the ambulance ride. Andy then had Ryan call her father, whom she assured Ruby would keep it off the books. Pruitt and his partner came to fetch Ruby. Ryan distracted Milo by playing cops and robbers with him. Ryan assured Pruitt he was staying out of trouble and they agreed to meet up for beers later. Ryan and Andy stayed behind in the apartment to watch the kids when Pruitt took Ruby to the hospital. Once they were gone, Ryan asked about her fight with her father. Ryan handed Milo to play with his badge. He then talked about Pruitt being his hero, which caused Andy to open up. She told him her father had basically called her a slut for getting involved with Sullivan. Later, while Milo was watching cartoons, Andy inquired about his return to Seattle. He said Jenna had cheated on him to hurt him, as he had admitted the day before that he was still in love with his ex, Andy. Andy didn't know how to respond. However, Milo appeared with his mother's gun aimed at them. He was still playing cops and robbers, unaware of the real danger. Ryan jumped in front of Andy as Milo fired the gun at her. Andy quickly put the gun away and called 911. Since she was put on hold too, she called Pruitt while applying pressure to the wound and begged her father to come back.[33]

Pruitt and his partner came to load up Ryan. The monitor showed that he was flatlining. They rushed him to the hospital, where he passed away.[34]

Posthumous[]

S193x13-32

Ryan and Andy watch planes in her dream.

Whilst mourning her father, Andy had a series of lively dreams. In one of them, she relived a childhood memory with Ryan of them lying on top of his car to watch planes. In the dream, Ryan told Andy that people are sad to say goodbye when planes with loved ones take off, but that there are also happy people at arrivals waiting for their loved ones. The two of them then waved at the planes. Andy then saw that her hand was covered in blood, like when she was trying to save Ryan. She turned toward him and he told her he was okay. They shared a kiss and she told him she had never wanted to live without him.[35]

Personality[]

Relationships[]

Romantic[]

Andy Herrera[]

He went to prom with Andy Herrera. As adults, after she found out her father had cancer, they had sex when he came to her house to check on her.[36]

After learning that Pruitt still saw him as the kid who stole Pruitt's car, Ryan went to Andy to make sure she knew that he wasn't a kid anymore.[37]

Before The Incinerator, Ryan gave Andy a good luck charm, a small world that they'd passed back and forth as kids when either of them was going through something hard.[38]

After the strip mall fire, Ryan came to Andy, pumped about what he'd done. He was exhilarated and he and Andy started kissing and undressing each other.[39]

They continued having sex regularly in the mornings.[40] However, when Andy learned that Ryan deliberately didn't tell her that her dad was in trouble during the skyscraper fire, she ended things with him, saying they always ended up in the same pattern of him protecting her when she didn't need it.[41]

Months later, after she received a Medal of Valor for her actions during the windstorm, she and Ryan hooked up at her party.[42] They continued hooking up, but Andy stopped any conversation of their status.[43] Later, after hearing Pruitt talk about getting too comfortable and wanting to move forward instead of backward, he asked Andy if he was just a security blanket for her.[44]

Jenna Matson[]

After wondering if he was just Andy's security blanket, Ryan starting seeing Jenna, a fellow officer.[45] After some time, Jenna told him she was cheating on him. Ryan claims she intentionally wanted to hurt him.[46]

Familial[]

He has a rocky relationship with his father, Greg.

Friendships[]

Jack Gibson[]

After Jack went on a ride-along with him, they buried the hatchet and went to Dean's after work to share a drink and hang out.[47]

Professional[]

Career[]

He was a police officer with the Seattle Police Department.

Notes and Trivia[]

  • His parents lived next door to Andy and Pruitt Herrera.[48]
  • He spent time in juvie as a kid.[49]
  • He took his coffee with one sugar.[50]

Gallery[]

A more complete gallery with pictures of Ryan Tanner can be found here.

Notable Episodes[]

The following episodes are Ryan-centric or are otherwise very informative about his life:

Memorable Quotes[]

Appearances[]


References[]

  1. Contain the Flame, 1x03 (S19)
  2. No Recovery, 2x01 (S19)
  3. Stuck, 1x01 (S19)
  4. Invisible to Me, 1x02 (S19)
  5. Invisible to Me, 1x02 (S19)
  6. Contain the Flame, 1x03 (S19)
  7. Reignited, 1x04 (S19)
  8. Shock to the System, 1x05 (S19)
  9. Stronger Together, 1x06 (S19)
  10. Let It Burn, 1x07 (S19)
  11. Let It Burn, 1x07 (S19)
  12. Hot Box, 1x09 (S19)
  13. Not Your Hero, 1x10 (S19)
  14. No Recovery, 2x01 (S19)
  15. Under the Surface, 2x02 (S19)
  16. Home To Hold Onto, 2x03 (S19)
  17. Lost and Found, 2x04 (S19)
  18. Do a Little Harm..., 2x05 (S19)
  19. Last Day on Earth, 2x06 (S19)
  20. Weather the Storm, 2x07 (S19)
  21. Crash and Burn, 2x08 (S19)
  22. Crash and Burn, 2x08 (S19)
  23. I Fought the Law, 2x09 (S19)
  24. Crazy Train, 2x10 (S19)
  25. Baby Boom, 2x11 (S19)
  26. When It Rains, It Pours!, 2x12 (S19)
  27. The Dark Night, 2x13 (S19)
  28. Friendly Fire, 2x14 (S19)
  29. Always Ready, 2x15 (S19)
  30. For Whom the Bell Tolls, 2x16 (S19)
  31. Into the Wildfire, 2x17 (S19)
  32. Eulogy, 3x03 (S19)
  33. Indoor Fireworks, 3x02 (S19)
  34. Eulogy, 3x03 (S19)
  35. Dream a Little Dream of Me, 3x13 (S19)
  36. Stuck, 1x01 (S19)
  37. Contain the Flame, 1x03 (S19)
  38. Stronger Together, 1x06 (S19)
  39. Let It Burn, 1x07 (S19)
  40. Every Second Counts, 1x08 (S19)
  41. No Recovery, 2x01 (S19)
  42. Crash and Burn, 2x08 (S19)
  43. I Fought the Law, 2x09 (S19)
  44. Crazy Train, 2x10 (S19)
  45. Baby Boom, 2x11 (S19)
  46. Indoor Fireworks, 3x02 (S19)
  47. Home To Hold Onto, 2x03 (S19)
  48. Stuck, 1x01 (S19)
  49. Stronger Together, 1x06 (S19)
  50. Last Day on Earth, 2x06 (S19)
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