By Patrick Donachie
The man charged with killing NYPD Detective Randolph Holder in October 2015 was convicted in New York State Supreme Court this week, according to Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance.
Holder, who had previously lived in Far Rockaway, was responding with his partner to an earlier shooting when they encountered Tyrone Howard, 32, on a footbridge at East 120th Street in Manhattan at about 8:43 p.m. on Oct. 20, 2015. Howard shot Holder once in the head, killing him, and fled the scene. He was apprehended by officers a few minutes later.
“In the final moments of his life, Detective Holder bravely responded to reports of gunfire in an attempt to put a stop to this defendant’s campaign of criminal activity,” Vance said. “He was the very definition of a hero, and I thank him posthumously for his service, along with all the members of the NYPD who put their lives on the line everyday to protect the people of the city.”
Holder was a native of Guyana, joining the NYPD in July 2010. He lived in Far Rockaway after arriving in the United States more than 10 years ago, and later moved to Brooklyn. His wake and funeral were held at Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral in Jamaica, and his body was returned to Guyana for burial. Holder was posthumously promoted to the rank of Detective on Oct. 28, 2015.
Howard was convicted of aggravated murder and murder in the first degree and was scheduled to be sentenced on April 3.
Reach reporter Patrick Donachie by e-mail at pdona
