WCBS Reporter John Slattery has passed away.

He was a member of the WCBS news team for 30 years. Slattery died of a massive heart attack. 

Slattery filed a number of stories for the station, but maybe his best and most important work was on 9/11/2001. He was one of the first reporters to arrive on the chaotic and terrifying scene, having witnessed the second plane strike the World Trade Center while emergency vehicles were still trying to make their way to the disaster.

He was plainspoken.

He was unflappable.

“We are saddened by the unexpected passing of our friend and colleague John Slattery,” said Peter Dunn, President of CBS Television Stations. “During his nearly 30-year career at WCBS, he was great at reporting the news and was someone we counted on to cover big stories for us, both here in New York and around the world. Our thoughts and prayers are with John’s wife, Suzie, and their children and grandchildren.”

Slattery was 63 years old.