New York ( CNN ) -- Mourners gathered Thursday for the funeral service of a New York police detective , who died nearly a decade after being exposed to toxic debris while transporting victims in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks . Kevin Czartyoryski died Sunday after a months-long battle with lung cancer , according to the head of the city 's detectives union , Michael Palladino . `` In May , he was cancer free , '' Palladino said . `` Now here we are seven months later and he 's passed away . '' Czartyoryski developed cancer after years suffering from pulmonary fibrosis , a condition in which the lung tissue becomes thick and scarred . The New York Police Department medical board presumed his condition was caused by the toxic air he breathed while working at ground zero , according to police spokesman Carlos Nieves . Czartoryski joined the police force in 1988 and had most recently been working in its public information office before he retired on disability in 2008 . He received a lung transplant in May 2010 , just before cancer was discovered in his remaining lung , Palladino said . For months after the collapse of the World Trade Center , he had worked at ground zero , searching for victims ' remains and organizing a temporary morgue . `` He loved the NYPD and the work he was doing , '' Palladino said . The 46-year-old Queens native is remembered by friends and colleagues as a respected man with `` a magnificent personality , '' he added . `` On behalf of the entire Police Department I convey my condolences to family and friends of retired Detective Kevin Czartoryski , '' Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said in a written statement on Thursday . `` He was a consummate professional and a cheerful bridge for understanding who will be missed terribly . '' Czartoryski had worked as a public affairs officer to the city 's gay and transgender community , working as a part of the department 's Hate Crime Task Force . Meanwhile in Washington , Senate Republicans derailed a procedural vote on a bill that would provide $ 7.4 billion in aid and medical coverage to those exposed to toxins following the attacks of September 11 , 2001 . New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg called Thursday 's vote `` a tragic example of partisan politics trumping patriotism . '' But the James Zadroga 9/11 Health Bill is not the only plan intended to support ground zero workers . Last month a settlement set to pay out hundreds of millions of dollars to ground zero workers concluded a seven-year fight between the city of New York and first responders , who said they were not properly outfitted for search-and-rescue efforts following the attack .
New York police officer , a 9-11 responder , died after battling lung cancer . NYPD medical board presumed his condition was caused by toxic air from ground zero . Czartoryski 's funeral occurred on the same day 9/11 bill was derailed in Senate .