David Fahey Jr., a true soldier, to be remembered with State bridge renaming

ALBANY, NY - Four years ago, United States Army Specialist David R. Fahey Jr., 23, was killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. Today, the State Senate passed a law sponsored by State Senator Terrence Murphy that honors Fahey by officially naming a bridge on Route 129 in his hometown of Yorktown as the Specialist David R. Fahey Jr. Memorial Bridge.

"Yorktown lost one of its finest the day David Fahey gave his life so that others could be safe and free," Senator Murphy said. "David understood how proud we all were of him, and he sent us home a flag from Kandahar that was displayed in the town of Yorktown when I served as Councilman. He was a hero and a true soldier."

Specialist Fahey was raised by his aunt and uncle in Yorktown and he grew up on Baldwin Road with his siblings and cousins and attended Cavalry Bible Church. He was born in Norwalk, Connecticut. Coincidentally, a bill is currently pending before the Connecticut State Legislature to christen an overpass along on I-95 over Richards Avenue in Norwalk in Fahey's honor as well.

Enlisting in the Army in 2007, Fahey served in Korea and in 2010, he was deployed on combat operations to Afghanistan. Sadly, he was killed by on February 28, 2011, while serving with the 504th Military Police Battalion of the 42nd Military Police Brigade.

He was the recipient of the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, and Drivers and Mechanics Badge.

Upon his redeployment, Fahey had been slated to become one of New York's finest as a member of the New York City Police Department. Murphy praised Fahey's faith, charm, athletic abilities, love of classic cars, and his ability to put a smile on anyone's face.

"The historic Hunters Brook Bridge, located on Route 129 near the border of Yorktown and Cortlandt, overlooks the Croton Reservoir, and is less than three miles from Specialist Fahey's childhood home," Murphy said. "There is no more fitting way to remember David's noble service than by rededicating this bridge in his honor. We are forever in his debt and are forever grateful to his amazing family for the wonderful soldier they raised who made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of freedom."

The bill has already passed the State Assembly and now heads to the Governor's desk.