From NBC News nbcnews.com 03/08/26
NYPD officer dies in medical episode while deployed to Kuwait in Iran war
Sorffly Davius was remembered as a "true Citizen Soldier" and a devoted husband and father.
March 8, 2026, 2:11 PM PDT
By Marlene Lenthang
A New York City police officer has died while he was deployed to Kuwait in support of the war on Iran, according to city and state officials.
Sorffly Davius died Friday at Camp Buehring in Kuwait, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
She described Davius as a “true Citizen Soldier” and a devoted husband and father.
Davius had served in the 42nd Infantry Division in the Army National Guard and rose to the rank of major, the NYPD said in a statement on social media.
He began his service with the NYPD in 2014, assigned to the 79th Precinct.
“Today, and always, we keep his family in our thoughts and prayers,” the department said. “May we never forget Officer Davius’ sacrifice and may his memory be a blessing.”
Davius was a decorated Army veteran who, before his overseas deployment, served with distinction on Joint Task Force Empire Shield, a New York National Guard security unit that defends the state’s highest-profile locations from threats, Hochul said.
“His life is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices made by our National Guard members, who balance their roles as citizens, first responders, and soldiers,” she said.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch paid tribute to him in a statement Saturday.
“His career was defined by service — to his country and to New York City,” they said.
NBC News has asked the National Guard and U.S. Central Command for comment.
Seven U.S. service members have died in the joint U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, which has been met with retaliatory strikes on U.S. bases in the Middle East.
Six American soldiers have died in Kuwait in the military operation. A seventh U.S. service member died Saturday evening, succumbing to injuries sustained during a March 1 attack on U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia, U.S. Central Command said Sunday. |
| By Military.com military.com
03/08/26
NYPD Officer Serving in Army Guard Dies During Kuwait Deployment
Military.com | By Darius Radzius
Published March 08, 2026 at 12:14pm ET
An NYPD officer serving overseas with the Army National Guard died in Kuwait, prompting tributes from New York leaders and the military community.
Police officer Sorffly Davius, assigned to Brooklyn’s 79th Precinct, died March 6 at Camp Buehring in Kuwait after suffering a medical episode while deployed with the New York Army National Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division, according to city and state officials.
“The NYPD mourns the loss of Police Officer Sorffly Davius, who died after suffering a medical episode while deployed to Kuwait,” the New York Police Department said in a statement posted on X. “Officer Davius served in the 42nd Infantry Division in the U.S. Army National Guard and rose to the rank of major.”
Davius joined the New York Police Department in 2014 and served in Brooklyn’s 79th Precinct, which covers parts of Bedford-Stuyvesant, according to the department.
Military.com reached out for comment to the New York Army National Guard, National Guard Bureau, U.S. Central Command and the NYPD Police Benevolent Association. Officials have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the death.
From Brooklyn Streets to Kuwait Deployment
City leaders said Davius built a life defined by public service, protecting New Yorkers at home while serving his country overseas.
“Today, our city mourns the loss of Police Officer Sorffly Davius, who passed away on Friday following a medical episode while deployed to Kuwait with the 42nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army National Guard,” New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in a joint statement.
Officer Davius devoted his life to public service, rising to the rank of major in the Army National Guard and joining the NYPD in 2014. Our thoughts are with Officer Davius and his entire family as they mourn his loss.
New York Leaders Remember a ‘Citizen Soldier’
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) said Davius embodied the dual role National Guard members often hold as both soldiers and civilians serving their communities.
“Today, our state mourns the loss of Maj. Sorffly Davius,” Hochul said in a statement. “Maj. Davius was the ‘Citizen Soldier’ in every sense. A dedicated NYPD officer and decorated Army veteran, he spent his career protecting others.”
Hochul said Davius previously served on Joint Task Force Empire Shield—a long-running New York National Guard mission that protects high-profile locations and critical infrastructure across the state.
The mission reflects the Guard’s responsibility to support both state and federal operations, requiring troops to balance domestic security missions with overseas deployments.
His life is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary sacrifices made by our National Guard members who balance their roles as citizens, first responders and soldiers.
Congressional leaders also honored Davius following news of his death.
“Maj. Davius bravely served our country both in the military and as a member of the NYPD,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said in a statement. “He is an American hero and represents the very best of our nation.”
Members of the Army National Guard often maintain civilian careers while serving in uniform, a structure that allows troops to support domestic missions while remaining available for federal deployments when needed.
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