NYPD officer and National Guard major dies in Kuwait

Major Sorffly Davius, an NYPD officer assigned to Brooklyn’s 79th Precinct, died March 6 at Camp Buehring in Kuwait after suffering a medical episode while deployed with the 42nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army National Guard, city and state officials said. His death, described by officials as a noncombat medical episode, has prompted public mourning from New York leaders and raised questions about support for Guard members overseas.

Governor Kathy Hochul called Davius a “Citizen Soldier” and said he died on March 6 at Camp Buehring while serving his country. “Major Davius was the ‘Citizen Soldier’ in every sense. A dedicated NYPD officer and decorated Army veteran, he spent his career protecting others,” she said, and added that she had “personally conveyed my deepest condolences to his wife.” The mayor and the police commissioner issued a joint statement: “His career was defined by service — to his country and to New York City. Our thoughts are with Officer Davius and his entire family as they mourn his loss. May his memory be a blessing.”

The NYPD, which identified Davius as having joined the department in 2014 and serving at the 79th Precinct in Bed-Stuy, repeated that sentiment. “Today, and always, we keep his family in our thoughts and prayers. May we never forget Officer Davius' sacrifice and may his memory be a blessing,” the department said in a statement released with city officials on March 7.

Officials described Davius as a Major in the New York Army National Guard and a decorated Army veteran who had served with Joint Task Force Empire Shield defending high-profile locations in the state before his overseas deployment. Multiple outlets and the city statement said the 42nd Infantry Division was in Kuwait in connection with operations related to the U.S. campaign against Iran, with some sources identifying the deployment as supporting Operation Epic Fury.

No further medical details have been released and no source attributed the death to hostile action. The governor’s office, the mayor’s office and the NYPD provided condolences but did not supply a detailed cause beyond the phrasing that Davius “passed away on Friday following a medical episode while deployed to Kuwait,” language used on the city website.

Public reaction included posts from elected officials and colleagues. On LinkedIn Anthony D’Esposito wrote, “The service of an NYPD officer reaches far beyond the boundaries of the five boroughs. Officer Sorffly Davius served New York and our nation. Heroes. Always heroes.” The post appeared on a profile listing 4,918 followers in the captured snippet.

The loss is likely to intensify scrutiny of National Guard deployments and the support provided to citizen soldiers serving abroad, particularly medical screening and access to care while deployed. For the 79th Precinct, which Davius joined in 2014, the immediate consequence is a period of mourning and the administrative steps that follow when an on-duty or deployed officer dies.

City officials supplied a media contact for additional inquiries: pressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov and (212) 788-2958. The governor’s office and the Army National Guard were not reported to have released further operational details as of the city statement on March 7.