David LeValley headed the Atlanta field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and handled federal probe involving the escape of two inmates from a state transport bus and the shooting deaths of two Georgia Department of Corrections officers in Putnam County on June 13, 2017. LeValley died Saturday from cancer as a result of his work at the World Trade Center following the terrorists commercial airline attacks Sept. 11, 2001 in New York, is shown above at a press conference in Madison giving the latest on the nationwide hunt for the escapees turned killers.

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — FBI Special Agent David James LeValley, who led a federal nationwide manhunt for two state inmates who shot to death two Georgia Department of Corrections officers in Putnam County on June 13, 2017, died Saturday.

LeValley had served as agent-in-charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Field Office in Atlanta since November 2016.

An FBI press release indicated LeValley died of complications associated to being exposed to contaminants for several weeks following the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 9/11 World Trade Center terrorists attacks.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church in Johns Creek. A viewing ceremony will be held today (Thursday) from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church in Roswell.

The funeral procession to follow on Friday will be led by a caisson unit of the Georgia State Patrol from Newtown Park in Johns Creek to Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church. Burial will take place at a later date at Quantico National Cemetery in Virginia.

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

Shortly after LeValley’s death, the FBI issued statements that there hearts were heavy and their leader at the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office had paid the ultimate sacrifice.

“He died in the line of duty after sacrificing for his country as a first responder to 9/11,” according to the FBI statement.

LeValley’s son, Justin honored his father in a special way Saturday by posting the following comments on Facebook:

“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,” Justin LeValley wrote. “Dad was a first responder to the Twin Towers in NYC 17 years ago on Sept. 11, 2001. He served as a United States Marine, a Harrisburg, Penn. police officer, and 22 years with the FBI. 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.”

Justin LeValley explained that his father had fought harder last week than anyone he had ever seen in his life. He also described his father as the greatest man he had ever known.

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

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills, who spearheaded the manhunt for the state inmates who killed GDOC Sgt. Curtis Billue and Sgt. Christopher Monica and then escaped from a state transportation bus, remembered LeValley offering whatever resources he could provide from a federal level during the intensified search for Donnie Rowe and Ricky Dubose.

“He offered to help me in anyway that he could, and I really appreciated it because I’ve always worked well with the FBI,” Sills told The Union-Recorder in a telephone interview.

Sills said he plans to attend the funeral service for LeValley on Friday.