 Meanwhile , Benson anxiously awaits for the return of Detective Stabler ( Christopher Meloni ) , who was put on administrative leave after the squad room shooting . After noticing two detectives from the Internal Affairs Board in the squad room , Benson reminds Captain Donald Cragen ( Dann <unk> ) that the shooting was justified . However , Cragen tells Benson that Stabler will have to submit a psychiatric exam before he can return to work , having been involved in five prior shootings . At the end , Cragen informs her that Stabler has filed his retirement papers , leaving the NYPD for good . Stunned , Benson leaves for the interrogation room and breaks down in tears . 
