Kevin G. Canavan, the Nassau County Police Department Chief of Patrol and member of the department for 39 years, died Sunday from a 9/11-related cancer.

According to a release from Nassau officials, Canavan rose through the ranks after starting his career with the department in 1985. He recently won the 2024 Theodore Roosevelt Award “for his tireless work ethic even when seriously ill due to complications of a 9/11-related cancer contracted from his exposure during the rescue and recovery efforts at ground zero.”

Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder called him a “cop’s cop” in a statement:

“I have known Kevin for over 38 years and can say that he was one of the most professional and brightest law enforcement professionals that I have ever had the honor to work with,” it said in part.

No funeral service information has been released yet.