New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani on Saturday mourned the death of NYPD officer and US Army National Guard major Sorffly Davius, who died in Kuwait after suffering a medical episode while deployed in support of Operation Epic Fury.
Davius, a 12-year veteran of the New York City Police Department assigned to Brooklyn’s 79th Precinct, died Friday at Camp Buehring in Kuwait’s northwest desert region while serving with the 42nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army National Guard.
‘Career defined by service’
In a joint statement with NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch, Mamdani said the city was mourning the loss of a public servant who dedicated his life to protecting others.
“Officer Davius devoted his life to public service — rising to the rank of Major in the U.S. Army National Guard and joining the NYPD in 2014,” the statement said.
“His career was defined by service — to his country and to New York City.” The NYPD also paid tribute in a social media post, saying the department keeps Davius’ family in its thoughts and prayers and that his sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Dual service in police and military
Davius joined the NYPD in 2014 and was assigned to the 79th Precinct in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Before his deployment to the Middle East, he also served with Joint Task Force Empire Shield, a National Guard unit tasked with protecting high-profile targets across New York City.
Alongside his police duties, he served in the US Army National Guard and rose to the rank of major in the 42nd Infantry Division.
New York governor Kathy Hochul described him as a “true Citizen Soldier.” “A dedicated NYPD officer and decorated Army veteran, he spent his career protecting others,” Hochul said, adding that she had personally conveyed her condolences to his wife.
Authorities have not disclosed details about the medical episode that led to his death.
Death comes amid Middle East conflict
Davius’ death comes during Operation Epic Fury, a US-led military campaign launched on February 28 alongside Israel targeting Iranian military and strategic infrastructure.
The operation aims to weaken Iran’s nuclear programme and degrade the capabilities of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) through coordinated strikes on missile sites, command centres and other strategic targets.
At least six US service members have also been killed in the region since the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran escalated last week.
The remains of those soldiers were returned to the United States on Saturday during a solemn transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base, attended by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
