NCIS killed off Director Leon Vance during the landmark 500th episode as Rocky Carroll ends his 18-season run.The character was fatally shot by a corrupt agent while defending the agency from being closed by the Department of Defense.Executive producer Steven D. Binder designed the sacrifice to shock the audience while honoring the character legacy.Supervisory Special Agent
Alden Parker will now lead the team as the show enters a new chapter without Vance.