Michael Hance made headlines in 2015 for twerking at Manhattan Gay Pride (Picture: Storyful)

A police officer who made headlines when he twerked at a gay pride parade in New York has died of 9/11-related cancer.

Michael Hance was on duty at Manhattan Gay Pride in 2015 when he danced with reveler Aaron Santis while still in uniform in a video that later went viral.

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The 44-year-old had been with the NYPD for 17 years and worked with the bucket brigade following the World Trade Center attack in 2001.

He was diagnosed with brain cancer in November after collapsing in front of his home after complaining he felt dizzy, the New York Daily News reported, and the disease eventually spread to his lungs, liver and chest.




The heterosexual father-of-two, who has a degree in mental health services, was also honoured in 2005 after saving a boy who was choking on LEGO.

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The police officer collapsed in front of his home in November (Picture: GoFundMe)

The 17-year veteran worked in the bucket brigade following the 9/11 attacks (Picture: Twitter)

‘He loved being a cop,’ It was in his blood,’ his older brother Peter Hance said.

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‘Those two daughters were his life. They’re going through a rough time right now.’

The video of the police officer dancing has been viewed almost eight million times.

Paige Ponzeka, who recorded the moment, said at the time: ‘Aaron had danced in front of a lot of cops but they were not as responsive. Then we saw this officer get into it.

‘He understood what the parade was about – about having fun and being yourself,

The father-of-two leaves behind two daughters (Picture: LinkedIn)

He was made famous by twerkign at gay pride in Manhattan (Picture: Storyful)

‘That was the best part … that he was straight and was still having fun at the parade.’

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