This is the sixth New York National Guardsman to die in Afghanistan in less than a month, it's such a shame...RIP
Queens cop is dead in Afghanistan
By Richard Sisk in Washington and Jonathan Lemire in New York
Daily News Staff Writers...
New York Daily News, NY
An NYPD lieutenant serving his country in the National Guard has died in Afghanistan, officials said Saturday.
Lt. Daniel Farkas, 42, was a 20-year-veteran of the NYPD assigned to the 112th Precinct in Forest Hills, Queens, police said.
"He was very well-liked by his peers and his subordinates," said a cop at the 112th Precinct, who said he was not permitted to give his name.
"He was definitely extraordinary," the cop said. "Everybody here is very sad."
The circumstances of Farkas' death are not yet known.
The New York branch of the National Guard deferred questions to the Department of Defense, but a spokesman for the military declined comment, citing a policy of not speaking publicly until 24 hours after the casualty's family was notified.
A Defense Department source told the Daily News the death did not occur in combat.
Farkas lived in a brownstone on a leafy street in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, with his mother, two sisters and two nieces, neighbors said. His relatives did not talk to reporters Saturday.
Farkas, who was remembered by fellow cops and neighbors as a good athlete and dedicated officer, was honored for helping arrest a serial arsonist in Middle Village last year and subduing a rowdy passenger on a flight to New Orleans in 2003.
"I'm so upset," said neighbor Jannie Lui, 38, a clothing designer. "I can't believe this, it's terrible."
Farkas' death comes as the U.S.-led coalition has struggled to beat back a resurgent Taliban allied with Al Qaeda.
Last week, the Pentagon ordered the 2,200 Marines in Afghanistan to extend their stay from October to November, and Adm. Mike Mullen, the Joint Chiefs chairman, warned that he lacked the extra troops requested by ground commanders because of existing commitments in Iraq.
In 2005, NYPD Transit Bureau cop James McNaughton serving in the Army Reserve was killed by sniper fire while guarding an Iraqi prison camp.
With Kristen Brown and Gould
NYPD officer serving as guardsman in Afghanistan dies
A New York City police lieutenant serving as a National Guardsman has died in Afghanistan, police said yesterday.
Lt. Daniel Farkas, 42, of Brooklyn, who joined the NYPD in 1988, was assigned to the 112th Precinct in Forest Hills, police said.
The date and details of Farkas' death were not available yesterday afternoon. A police spokesman said the military informed the department of Farkas' death on Friday.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Defense declined to comment yesterday, citing a policy of waiting 24 hours after family notification to release names of casualties.
The New York National Guard did not return a call for comment.
"He is greatly missed," said a sergeant at the 112th Precinct, who would not give his full name. "He was well liked."
Family members at Farkas' home declined to comment yesterday.
In late 2006 and early 2007, Farkas was among the officers investigating a series of arsons in the Elmhurst, Maspeth and Rego Park neighborhoods.
In January 2007, an Elmhurst man was accused of being the serial firebug responsible for setting 18 fires and causing millions of dollars in property damage.
In March 2003, Farkas was one of three city officers who helped a federal air marshal subdue an unruly passenger from Bay Shore on a US Airways flight from LaGuardia Airport to New Orleans.
At that time, according to a news report about the incident, Farkas was assigned to the police academy.
Daniel Edward Rosen contributed to this story.
