Brooklyn DA Ken Thompson dies of cancer

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson passed away Sunday just days after he revealed he was battling cancer.

He was 50 years old.

Ken Thompson took the position of DA in 2014. Prior to taking the role of District Attorney, Thompson was also a former federal prosecutor. 

New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito released a statement: "Ken Thompson was an outstanding public servant who dedicated his life to the fight for justice. As Brooklyn's first African-American District Attorney, Ken Thompson was a trailblazer who proved himself to be a fierce, unabashed champion for true criminal justice reform. From ending the prosecution of most low-level marijuana arrests to making it easier for Brooklynites to resolve outstanding warrants for low-level offenses, Ken Thompson didn't just uphold the law- he made it more fair for all Brooklynites. DA Thompson was more than just a partner in government, he was also a friend, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and the entire Brooklyn District Attorney's Office as we grapple with this terribly sad news."