Elliot Stabler - Character Overview

Character Overview

Stabler is an NYPD detective with Manhattan's 16th Precinct, which investigates sex crimes. His partner during the first twelve years is Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay). Stabler is dedicated to his job, but often takes cases personally, thus affecting his judgment. Nonetheless, Stabler has a 97-percent case-closure rate as of 2007.

Stabler is Irish-American and lives at 72-12 Castleside Street in the Glen Oaks in Queens with his wife and five children (Maureen, Kathleen Louise, Richard "Dickie", Elizabeth "Lizzie" and Elliot "Eli" Jr.). He is a devout Catholic whose faith sometimes complicates the cases he works on. In the episode "Annihilated", it is suggested that he was a hand-to-hand combat specialist while he served in the United States Marine Corps. Elliot is a Desert Storm veteran. He also has three tattoos, notably the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor tattoo on his forearm, the official emblem of the Marine Corps, and the crucifixion of Christ on his left biceps. Stabler was born October 20, 1966, and his badge number is 6313. One of Elliot's best friends died in the World Trade Center.

In the season 12 finale, Stabler is forced to shoot and kill a young woman who opens fire in the Special Victims squad room. Before dying in Stabler's arms, she kills two suspects involved in the rape and murder of her mother and injures a third. She also kills Sister Peg (Charlayne Woodard), one of the recurring characters, although it is unclear if it was intentional. After the shootout, Elliot is placed on administrative leave, and abruptly resigns from the police force.