Hundreds of officers of the NYPD lined the streets of Astoria, New York to give an emotional farewell to their former colleague and 9/11 first responder, Luis Alvarez.

The funeral was held yesterday (July 3) after Alvarez passed away after a three-year fight with colorectal cancer at a hospice on June 29.

Alvarez claimed his cancer was caused by being exposed to harmful substances after digging through the rubble at ground zero.

Since the attacks on the twin towers, Alvarez had campaigned for the victims who are still suffering the effects of that day.

Luis Alvarez, a former New York City police detective who worked at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks and fought for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, was remembered for his "tenacity and resilience" at a solemn and emotional funeral on Wednesday.

Alvarez, 53, a husband and father of three sons, died in hospice care from cancer on Saturday. His death came weeks after he testified before Congress to urge lawmakers to extend the victim compensation fund that many first responders depend on to pay their medical bills

After the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, Luis Alvarez worked at Ground Zero, cleaning the rubble and waste left at the site. He was diagnosed with cancer several years ago and underwent dozens of rounds of chemotherapy.

On June 11, Alvarez joined former "Daily Show" host Jon Stewart, and dozens of 9/11 first responders to demand that Congress fully fund the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund that was set up for police, firefighters and others who worked at Ground Zero.

Twenty-three NYPD officers died on 9/11. As of Wednesday, 222 NYPD officers, including Luis Alvareaz, have died from 9/11 related illnesses, O'Neill said.

The funeral mass held at the Immaculate Conception Church in Astoria, New York , July 3, 2019