A vigil was held to honor the life of Randolph Holder, the NYPD officer killed by a career criminal while on patrol in East Harlem Tuesday night. NY1’s Erin Clarke filed the following report.
Little Guyana is a community united during a time of sorrow.
Officer Holder, was remembered Saturday night at a vigil in Richmond Hill, Queens, a neighborhood affectionately known as "Little Guyana.”
Holder emigrated from the country, and like his father and his grandfather, he became a police officer.
"He's a chip from off of the block (chuckles)," said Officer Holder’s father, Randolph Holder, Sr.
Some in attendance didn't know Officer Holder or his family, but still felt it necessary to come out and embrace them.
"We're here we have to come as a community to give support to the family. They need it the most," one well-wisher told NY1.
"We're here for you," another told Holder’s father.
It's that show of support that Officer Holder's family and his extended police family are leaning on.
"Seeing the Guyanese community, the NYPD, the FDNY and everybody making us more comfortable in an uncomfortable situation, " said Prince Holder, the fallen officer’s brother. "There's no words or nothing they can do to make the pain go away, but they made things so comfortable."
"The amount of people going and visiting us at PSA 5, the love, the support, it's what's getting all the officers through," said Holder’s commanding officer, Capt. Reymundo Mundo.
And though the pain is still fresh, their son, brother, colleague, is still very much missed, all vowed to not let Officer Holder's death be in vain.
"Randolph's death is a catalyst to unite the community," said Desmond King, Holder’s uncle. "The police and the citizen, we have got to come together and be one."
A wake will be held for Officer Holder from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, October 27 at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral. On Wednesday, a funeral will be held at 3 p.m.