GPF and NYPD unite to remember Detective Randolph Holder

A solemn but uplifting cocktail reception was held on Thursday, October 17, 2025, at the Police Officers’ Mess Annex, Eve Leary, in honour of Detective Randolph “Randy” Holder, the Guyanese-born New York Police Department (NYPD) officer who lost his life in the line of duty in 2015.

The event was attended by Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, Deputy Commissioner “Administration” Ravindradat Budhram, Deputy Commissioner and Head of Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Fazil Karimbaksh, Traffic Chief Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Singh, Regional Commanders, Heads of Departments, Detective Holder’s father Randolph Holder Sr., a retired member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and over 120 NYPD officers who travelled to Guyana to pay tribute to their fallen colleague.
During the evening, Commissioner Hicken reflected on the courage and dedication displayed by Detective Holder, noting that the GPF shared in the grief of the Holder family. “What happened to Detective Holder could happen to any officer, anywhere,” Commissioner Hicken said, emphasising the deep connection the Force felt to the tragedy and underscoring the shared sacrifice and unity that bind law enforcement officers across borders. Deputy Commissioner Budhram highlighted the importance of the growing partnership between the GPF and the NYPD, describing it as a bridge that connects shared values of service, discipline and professionalism. He said the life and legacy of Detective Holder serve as a proud reminder of the strength, resilience, and excellence of Guyanese officers serving both at home and abroad. Detective Randolph Holder was born in Georgetown, Guyana, into a proud policing family, with both his father and grandfather having served in the GPF. After migrating to the United States, he joined the NYPD in 2010 and served with distinction in the Housing Bureau in East Harlem.

In October 2015, he was tragically killed while pursuing an armed suspect. His bravery earned him posthumous recognition as Detective First Grade, the NYPD’s highest detective rank. His name is etched on both the NYPD Memorial Wall and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., and his legacy continues to inspire officers of Guyanese heritage worldwide. The evening served not only as a remembrance of a fallen hero but also as a celebration of a life that embodied the finest traditions of policing, courage, integrity, and devotion to duty.