Sad news today as the New York State Police informed the public about the passing of a true hero. Trooper Michael J. Anson, 56, from Albany County died from an illness stemming from his assignment at the World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The Times Union newspaper is reporting that Trooper Anson worked the search-and-recovery effort at ground zero in the days after the terror attack and battled the illness as a result of dangerous debris inhaled during efforts to find remains of victims. The poisoning has been blamed for a number of deaths.

Michael J. Anson was most recently stationed at the New Scotland barracks but also worked out of barracks in East Greenbush, Brunswick, and Schodack. From 2003 and 2010, Anson was the school resource officer assigned to Averill Park and Brunswick. Trooper Anson is survived by his wife, their three children, and his brothers.

Any updates, including funeral arrangements, will be posted on the New York State Police Online Newsroom.

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