BROOKLYN, N.Y. — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and New York Attorney General Letitia James joined together to honor New York Army National Guard Major Sorffly Davius during his funeral on Monday, March 27, in Brooklyn.
The 46-year-old Davius, a signals and communication officer assigned to the headquarters of the 42nd Infantry Division, died of sudden illness while on duty in Camp Buehring, Kuwait, on March 6, 2025.
The 42nd Infantry Division headquarters is deployed to Kuwait as the headquarters element for Task Force Spartan, the Army force in the region.
Davius’ death occurred while Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. operation against Iran, was underway.
Davius, a Haitian immigrant, was a member of the New York Police Department, who had also served on Joint Task Force Empire Shield, the New York National Guard security force in New York City.
Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, and other New York National Guard leaders were also present.
During the ceremony at the Christian Cultural Center, Shields presented Davius’ wife Angeline, with a posthumous Bronze Star, recognizing the major’s service in Kuwait.
Davius joined the New York Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 258th Field Artillery in 2013. Previously, he had served in the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing after enlisting in 2004.
In civilian life, Davius served as a New York City Fire Department emergency medical technician before becoming a police officer.
In her remarks, Hochul highlighted Davius’s life of service.
“Who in life takes on so many different challenges and every single one of them, he puts his life out there for others? He did that,” Hochul said. ”I am eternally grateful.”
Mamdani also praised Davius for his service as a fireman, police officer, and Soldier. He was an example to all New Yorkers, the mayor added.
In her remarks, James told Davius’ six children that she, too, had lost her father at an early age, but that he would always be with them.
"When you touch your heart, it's that beat that you will hear... from your father,” James said.
New York Army National Guard Capt. Christopher Schwenk, who served as Davius’ deputy in Kuwait and accompanied his remains back to the United States, read a letter from Major General Jack James, the commander of the 42nd Infantry Division.
Davius, according to Maj. Gen. James, was “an outstanding officer who motivated his peers and subordinates to excel” and “a man who inspired us to be better people.”
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that as a police officer, Davius was a steady presence at the 79th Precinct.
“No matter how hard the call, Sorffly stayed calm, flashing that familiar Cheshire Cat grin,” he said.
Davius was also presented with the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara, a recognition of excellence for artillerymen, by Col. Jeffery Roth, the commander of the 42nd Infantry Division Artillery.
Davius awards include the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Air Force Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Achievement Medal and the Humane Service to New York State Medal.
Following the funeral, a New York Army National Guard Honor Guard conducted graveside funeral honors at Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum in Farmingdale, New York.