A former New York City police detective who fought for the 9|11 Victim Compensation Fund died just weeks after testifying before Congress. He was 53.
Detective Luis Alvarez’s death from cancer was announced by Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea on Twitter.
He had blamed his illness on the three months he spent cleaning the World Trade Center’s twin towers after the 2001 attacks.
Appearing alongside former Daily Show host Jon Stewart at the June 11 hearing, Alvarez had implored members of Congress to replenish the fund as thousands of responders and their families wait for assistance.

Netanyahu orders deeper Israeli incursion into Lebanon
US military says it turned away blockade runner trying to reach Iranian port
Two hundred hurt in post-game violence as Paris hails second Champions League triumph
Illegal mine collapses in China, killing five just days after Shanxi disaster
Israel troops capture Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon push against Hezbollah
