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.
