FBI responder Jack Hess died of 9/11-linked kidney cancer, wife recounts his sacrifice
Jack Hess, an FBI agent who helped secure the Pentagon after the 9/11 attack, died in 2023 from stage 4 kidney cancer linked to his exposure at the site, according to his widow.
When American Airlines Flight 77 hit the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, FBI supervisor Jack Hess rushed to the wreckage to secure evidence, joining roughly 4,000 other FBI personnel across the three attack sites. Although his direct contact with the debris lasted only a few hours, he later developed stage 4 kidney cancer, which the World Trade Center Health Program classifies as caused by his exposure. After retiring from the bureau in 2009, Hess succumbed to the disease in 2023 at age 64.
His wife, Sandy Hess, who was pregnant at the time of the attacks, shared their story publicly for the first time, emphasizing his dedication and the need for vigilant health monitoring among 9/11 responders. She highlighted that more thorough CT scans could have caught the cancer earlier, criticizing the reliance on yearly physicals. The FBI continues to encourage former responders to enroll in the World Trade Center benefits screening program.
Why it matters
The story underscores long-term health risks faced by 9/11 first responders and the importance of ongoing medical screening.
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