The former commander of the NYPD's Emergency Service Unit died early Saturday morning from a rare form of blood cancer contracted during his time at Ground Zero.
Retired Deputy Chief Steven Bonano, 53, was pronounced dead at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center with friends and family at his bedside, according to The Daily News.
Doctors had previously determined that Bonano contracted the disease while he toiled in the rubble of the WTC site weeks after racing to the scene on Sept. 11, 2001.
The 30-year NYPD veteran was awarded the Police Combat Cross -- the department’s second-highest honor. He also earned a pilot's license and a master's degree from Harvard University during his time on the force.
In 2012, Bonano became the head of security at the Barclays Center. The arena hosted a bone-marrow registry in 2013 to help prolong his life.
More than 900 first responders have died of ailments blamed on their service at Ground Zero,
Funeral services are pending.
