NYPD Fallen Officer Randolph Holder: Fidelis Ad Mortem

Flags fly at half-staff once again in New York City, this time to honor the passing of NYPD Officer Randolph Holder. Tragically, another police officer is senselessly killed while valiantly serving the people of New York City.

Officer Randolph Holder was recipient of both Meritorious and Excellent Police Duty Awards and made 125 arrests during his career.

All of New York City must mourn, along with Officer Holder’s family, the NYPD, law enforcement everywhere, and all who love America. The flags that fly at half-staff must be solemnly present in our hearts and souls.

Expressions of devotion, including cards, candles, and flowers will be left to honor Officer Holder, and mourning bunting will hang. The flames from these candles must ignite compassion in our hearts and inspire us to pause, reflect, and pray.

Another tragic death of a police officer must not be in vain, but serve as a clarion call not only to all New York but all Americans. America must appreciate the service of dedicated men and women protecting our communities in a dangerous profession deserving of honor.

These are challenging times, as we see through a culture of violence compounded by contemptuous anti-police sentiments. America’s police are guardians of safety and the life-lines of security in our communities. Respect, courtesy, and appreciation toward all who protect and serve must be enhanced.

America’s Great Loss

Just one week ago, I had the privilege of personally meeting three of Officer’s Holder’s superiors: the NYPD Chief of Housing and two deputy chiefs at a First Precinct Financial Area Security Council event at Pace University in New York City.

During our conversations, I never imagined that just one week later, I would be sending sympathy messages to each of them, as well as to the NYPD commissioner’s office.

Unfortunately, NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton is becoming all too familiar with officers making the ultimate sacrifice. Bratton shared this solemn message on the passing of Officer Holder:

“To the Men and Women of the New York City Police Department --

“Once more the flags will be lowered. Once more the mourning bands will be worn. With great sorrow, I inform you that a New York City Police Officer was killed in the line of duty tonight. He was killed doing what you all do: rushing toward danger while others rush away.

“Police Officer Randolph Holder was 33 years old, a decorated five-year veteran, the son of a cop. He was on duty in an Anti-Crime assignment in PSA 5 tonight, when he responded to a shots-fired job and robbery. Upon confronting the suspect, there was an exchange of gunfire. The suspect was wounded, but Officer Holder was struck and killed.

“We will mourn him, as we do -- as we have done too much in the past year. Four cops lost in less than a year is too much. One would have been too much. But we will move forward, too. Because across the city, you, his brothers and sisters in blue, are out there. You keep this city safe, even at terrible cost. It is who we are.

“Tonight, as always -- but more than ever, too -- be safe.”

NYPD Fallen Officers

Officer Randolph Holder was the fourth officer murdered while serving New York City in the past 11 months.

In May, NYPD Officer Brain Moore, 25, was shot and killed.

NYPD Officers Wenjian Liu, 32, and Rafael Ramos, 40, were killed in December, 2014.

Appreciating Our Police

The challenges for those safeguarding America’s communities through law enforcement are very arduous and deserve the appreciation of all who benefit from their sacrifices.

Every citizen should be truly grateful for their service and do everything humanly possible to express appreciation through acts of encouragement, thoughtfulness, service, and respect.

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, on average, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line-of-duty somewhere in the United States every 58 hours. Since the first known line-of-duty death in 1791, over 20,000 law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Currently, over 900,000 law enforcement officers serve communities across America to battle over 1 million violent crimes each year.

Aside from fatalities, over the last decade, there is an average of nearly 60,000 assaults against police officers, resulting in 16,000 injuries each year.

For the NYPD, the danger is sobering as the department has lost more officers in the line-of-duty than any other, with over 700 fatalities.

Following a historically low number in 2013, the number of on-duty American law enforcement officials killed as a result of criminal acts doubled in 2014. This tragic commentary is according to statistics released by the FBI on October 19, 2015.

This FBI document that 27 law enforcement officials were killed due to violence in 2013.In 2014, fifty-one law enforcement officers were killed “as a result of felonious acts.”

Final Reflections

As Officer Randolph Holder is laid to rest, his passing must ignite a fire of compassion, respect, and appreciation in the hearts of all privileged to call New York City and America their home.

It is time to forever honor Officer Randolph Holder and all law enforcement officers across this great land who make us proud through their sacred oath to protect and serve.

Note Well

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Photos
1. The casket bearing the remains of slain NYPD Officer Randolph Holder is taken out of Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York, in the Queens Borough of New York City, on Oct. 28, 2015. Holder, 33, was gunned down while chasing a suspect in East Harlem last week, the fourth officer to be fatally shot in the line of duty in New York City in the last 10 months. Tyrone Howard was taken into custody a few blocks away and has been charged with murder and robbery. Holder will be buried in Guyana. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

2. The family of slain NYPD Officer Randolph Holder grieves as his coffin is taken out of a Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York, in the Queens Borough of in New York City, on Oct. 28, 2015. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)


3-5. Tribute Photo's of Officer Randolph Holder, Officer Brain Moore, and Officers Rafael Ramos / Wenjian Liu. (courtesy NYPD)