Atlanta, GA – FBI Special Agent in Charge David LeValley died in the line of duty on Saturday, as a direct result of contaminant exposure he endured during the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks, the FBI Atlanta Field Office said.

“It is with great sadness that I share with anyone who does not already know, that my father, David LeValley, went home to be with the Lord this morning surrounded by family and some close, dear friends,” SAC LeValley’s son, Justin LeValley, wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday.

“Dad was a first responder to the Twin Towers in NYC 17 years ago on September 11th, 2001,” Justin said in the touching tribute. “As a result of the airborne toxins and chemicals that he was exposed to at Ground Zero, he was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago.”

SAC LeValley fought “harder than anyone I have ever seen” during the week that proceeded his death and was the “greatest man I have ever known,” Justin noted.

“I am so proud to have been raised by such a Godly, Christian man,” he added. “Rest in the arms of our Heavenly Father, until we are reunited in heaven. Well done, Dad. What a legacy you have left behind.”

In addition to his 22 years of service with the FBI, SAC LeValley also spent time as a Harrisburg police officer, and was a United States Marine, Justin said.

He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice and police science in 1991, and went on to graduate from both the Pennsylvania State Police Academy and the FBI academy, the International Business Times reported.

SAC LeValley joined the FBI’s New York Division as a special agent in 1996.

In 2015, he was promoted to SAC, and was responsible for oversight of every criminal and cyber investigation in the Washington, D.C. area, according to the International Business Times.

He began serving as the Atlanta Division SAC in November of 2016, the bureau said in a press release.

“Mr. LeValley’s death is a great loss to the entire FBI, but particularly to his family the FBI Atlanta Division and the Atlanta community,” the press release said. “We are honored to have served beside him and are grateful for his leadership and sacrifice.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of FBI Special Agent in Charge David LeValley, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.

SAC LeValley, your life mattered.