Anthony Varvaro, a former MLB pitcher who later became a New York police officer, has tragically passed away in a head-on car collision.

Varvaro, aged 37, was on his way to the 9/11 memorial ceremony in Manhattan when the accident occurred.

The news of his untimely death was confirmed by both police officials and his former team, the Atlanta Braves, on the evening of September 11.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Braves pitcher Anthony Varvaro. Anthony, 37, played parts of six seasons in the majors, including four with Atlanta,” the Braves issued in a statement.

“He voluntarily retired from MLB in 2016 to pursue a career as a Port Authority police officer.

“He was en route to serve at the World Trade Center Command in commemoration of September 11, 2001 activities when he was involved in a motor vehicle accident.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and colleagues.”

The Daily Voice, a publication in New Jersey, reported that Varvaro’s life was claimed in a head-on collision caused by a wrong-way driver near Exit 14C on the New Jersey Turnpike, close to the Holland Tunnel.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey also issued a statement, saying, “Officer Varvaro represented the very best of this agency, and will be remembered for his courage and commitment to service.”

“On this solemn occasion as the Port Authority mourns the loss of 84 employees in the attacks on the World Trade Center — including 37 members of the Port Authority Police Department — our grief only deepens today with the passing of Officer Varvaro.

“On behalf of the entire agency, we send our deepest condolences to Officer Varvaro’s family.”

St. John’s head baseball coach, Mike Hampton, expressed being ‘at a loss for words’ over Varvaro’s passing.

‘Not only was he everything you could want out of a ball player, he was everything you could want in a person,’ said Hampton, who was an assistant coach at St. John’s during all three of Varvaro’s seasons there. ‘My heart goes out to his family, friends, teammates, and fellow officers.’

Varvaro had a career in the majors from 2010 to 2015, during which he played for the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox, in addition to the Braves. He made 166 appearances.