By Mark Hallum
NYPD Officer Michael Hance, who gained notoriety not just for his contributions to the 9/11 cleanup at Ground Zero, but for becoming an Internet sensation by dancing in the Manhattan Pride Parade in 2015, died on Sunday. He was 44.
The 111th Precinct announced on its Twitter page that the 17-year veteran of the force had succumbed to cancer related to his work on the bucket brigade at Ground Zero in the shadows of the fallen World Trade Center towers. The precinct had no further comment.
Hance jumped into the celebrations at the Manhattan Pride Parade and won the hearts of the LGBT community across the city as well as the police force when he was caught on video twerking to “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” by Michael Jackson to YouTube with one attendee. One reposting of the cell phone footage gathered over 7.8 million views.
Although Hance was not a member of the LGBT community, the cop from the 111th Precinct became an instant favorite with the Gay Officers Action League, an organization within the NYPD that has worked to address issues facing LGBT members since 1982.
“We mourn the loss of Officer Michael Hance who passed from cancer & thank him for the many smiles he brought to #NYC & the #LGBT community,” the league posted on its Twitter page.
Hance was diagnosed with brain cancer in November, according to the New York Daily News, before the disease spread to his lungs, liver and chest.
A GoFundMe page was set up to help Hance’s family, his mother and two daughters, with the burden of caring for him in his declining state of health with a goal of $25,000. Although, Hance has died, the donations continue to accumulate from anonymous sources. One donation of $50 came from Michael Diaz, who expressed gratitude for Hance’s service to the city and his obvious respect for the LGBT community.
“Thank you for the respect and love towards the LGBTQ community,” Diaz wrote. “Your lil dance brought a smile… Your years of service with the NYPD and the sacrifice you put forth each and every day has not gone unnoticed. May you rest in peace and God look over your daughters.”
The GoFunds had reached about $22,800 as of Wednesday afternoon.
Another fund-raiser for Hance’s family has been scheduled for March 23 and will be at Bourbon Street Restaurant at 40-12 Bell Blvd in Bayside, within the 111th Precinct where Hance served until the time of his death.
Hance began his career in the 105th Precinct covering Glen Oaks and the surrounding areas and transferred to the 111th Precinct in 2008.
Reach reporter Mark Hallum by e-mail at mhall
