David LeValley, who joined the Atlanta office in September 2016, died on Saturday

The head of the FBI's Atlanta office has died from cancer linked to his weeks working on the World Trade Center site in the aftermath of 9/11.

David LeValley, who joined the Atlanta office in September 2016, was a first responder when terrorists struck the Twin Towers killing almost 3,000.

He spent weeks on the site of the attack, being exposed to toxic contaminants, as part of the response efforts.

On Saturday, he became the latest victim of the 2001 terror attack when he died of an illness related to the exposure those dangerous contaminants.

His son, Justin LeValley, said he died surrounded by family and friends.

'This week he has been fighting harder than anyone I have ever seen,' he wrote.

'The greatest man I have ever known. I am so proud to have been raised by such a Godly, Christian man. Well done, Dad. What a legacy you have left behind.'

LeValley was a former Marine and Pennsylvania police officer before spending 22 years with the FBI. He joined the agency in New York in 1996, investigating drug trafficking from the Caribbean and Colombia before holding positions in the Criminal Investigative Division and the Washington field office.

LeValley, who joined the Atlanta office in September 2016, was a first responder when terrorists struck the Twin Towers killing almost 3,000

His son, Justin LeValley, said he died surrounded by family and friends (pictured, his flag draped coffin is wheeled out of hospital)

The married father joined the Atlanta office as chief in 2016.

'Our hearts are heavy at FBI Atlanta as our leader SAC David J. LeValley paid the ultimate sacrifice today,' the FBI tweeted.

'He died in the line of duty after sacrificing for his country as a first responder to 9/11. We will always be grateful for your sacrifice and your leadership.'

The FDNY reports 159 9/11 related deaths in the years since the attack, while the NYPD report 24 as of last year, New York Daily News reports.

LeValley was a former Marine and Pennsylvania police officer before spending 22 years with the FBI (pictured at a press conference in January)



