By Gabriel Rom
They came from across the state and the country, some who knew him and many who didn’t. Thousands of police officers lined Merrick Boulevard and saluted as NYPD Officer Randolph Holder’s casket was carried into the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York in Jamaica Tuesday morning. Many were crying.
Along the sprawling line police mingled with friends and family of Holder as well as residents who were there just to pay respects.
“Officer Holder was killed like an animal,” said Israel Scott, a pastor and community activist from Jamaica. “I am 30 and he was 33. It’s mind-boggling. How do I stand at the pulpit everyday? There are so many things going through my mind right now, and I guess I just need to be here and show my respect. This violence between citizens and police, we got to remember that we’re all part of one human family. That’s why I’m here.”
Members of the New York Police Bomb Squad shook hands with patrolmen from Deptford, Pa. Guardian Angels stood alongside community activists. Friends hugged and held family.
“I’m here to let the police know that their lives matter,” said Calvin Hunt, who is from Harlem and knew Holder personally. He was standing across the street with a large sign that read Blue Lives Matter. “It’s just sad that all this could have been avoided. You see it on the news, but when you come to the wake and you see the body laying there, then you realize how important these cops are, man.”
Patrol cars could be seen from Nassau County, Northport, L.I., Glassboro, N.J., Poundridge, N.Y. and beyond.
On Monday night, community leaders and police stood side by side at police precincts across the city for a total of 37 minutes of silence — 33 minutes for each year of Holder’s life and four for each of the four NYPD officers killed this past year.
Holder was shot in the head and killed Oct. 20 responding to a report of gang-related gunshots in Upper Manhattan.
Investigators said Monday a gun found over the weekend matched the weapon used in the shooting. The suspect, Tyrone Howard, was charged with murder and robbery, prosecutors said.
A funeral service for Holder was scheduled for Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral.
Holder will be buried in his native Guyana.
Reach reporter Gabriel Rom by e-mail at grom@
