Atlanta FBI agent dies from work at World Trade Center

ATLANTA - The special agent in charge of the FBI's Atlanta Division has died in the line of duty on Saturday.

David J. LeValley "made the ultimate sacrifice" on Saturday, the FBI said in a press release. He had served as the special agent in charge for Atlanta since November of 2016.

LeValley joined the FBI in 1996 as part of the bureau's New York Field Office, where he handled drug trafficking and money laundering cases. He was there when the terrorist attack on Sept. 11 happened. Officials say he spent weeks working at the site, being exposed to contaminants.

His death came from that work at Ground Zero, officials said.

After New York, LeValley worked with the FBI creating national programs to tackle organized theft. In 2005, he helped to establish the bureau's task force to evaluate the rise of the criminal gang Mara-Salvatrucha-13, or MS-13 for short, the bureau said.

Before joining the FBI, LeValley served his country in the United States Marine Corps and joined the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Police Department as an officer after leaving the service.

"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. We are honored to have served beside him and are grateful for his leadership and sacrifice," the FBI said in a statement.

Funeral plans were released Tuesday:

• Viewing will be held on Thursday, May 31 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Fellowship Bible Church, 480 W. Crossville Road, Roswell, GA 30075
• A Memorial Service will be held Friday, June 1 at 10 a.m. at Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church, 2850 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek, GA
• SAC LeValley will be escorted by a Caisson Unit led by the Georgia State Patrol from Newtown Park in Johns Creek to Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church.
• He will be buried at Quantico National Cemetery at a later date.