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Mostly Cloudy NYPD’s Holder mourned by thousands
Murdered cop was to buy a home in Valley Stream
Randolph Holder, the NYPD Housing Bureau officer who was killed on Oct. 20 by a suspect he was chasing, was planning to move to Valley Stream.
“He should have been closing on a house in the next month in Valley Stream, but all of those dreams went down the drain,” Holder’s father, Randolph Sr., told reporters outside his home in Far Rockaway, Queens.
Holder, 33, who lived in Brooklyn, grew up in Far Rockaway and was a five-year veteran of the NYPD.
Tyrone Howard, 30, of Manhattan, was charged with first-degree murder and robbery for the shooting and for stealing the bicycle that he jumped off immediately before he allegedly fired a single shot into Holder’s forehead near the FDR Drive. Holder and his partner, Omar Wallace, were in pursuit after two groups of men were seen exchanging gunfire on East 102nd Street in Harlem. After Holder was hit, Wallace returned fire and shot Howard in the leg.
Holder, a third-generation policeman, was described as passionate about his job and well respected by his colleagues.
“I wish to express my deep condolences to the family and friends of NYPD Officer Randolph Holder, whose life was tragically taken in the line of duty yesterday,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-St.Albans). “Officer Holder was a third generation police officer with roots and family in the 5th Congressional District. He carried the legacy of bravery for his family and the city with honor and dignity. Officer Holder was a true patriot, fighting tirelessly every day to protect our communities from the very heinous and cowardly violence that claimed his life.”
As many as 30,000 law enforcement officers were expected to attend Holder’s wake and funeral, which was set to be held at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York in Jamaica, Queens, on Wednesday. A visitation was scheduled at the cathedral on Tuesday. Holder was brought to Jeremiah C. Gaffney’s Funeral Home in Inwood.
He will be buried in a family plot at a cemetery in Georgetown, Guyana. Lt. Tony Giorgio and the NYPD ceremonial unit arranged the funeral. Members of Holder’s unit, Police Service Area 5, were to serve as honor guard.
