The 9/11 Memorial held a tribute Thursday to honor Randolph Holder, a 33-year-old New York City police officer who was fatally shot in the line of duty in an East Harlem neighborhood. Dozens of officers from the New York City Police Department and Port Authority Police Department gathered at the South Pool of the 9/11 Memorial, where the names of the 23 NYPD members who were killed on 9/11 are etched in the bronze parapets.
Following a moment of silence, attending officers and 9/11 Memorial staff placed white and yellow flowers on the names.
“We at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum will always share a heartfelt connection with the NYPD and PAPD, and it’s an honor to do our part in remembering their service,” 9/11 Memorial President Joe Daniels said. “This memorial reminds us that officers came here on 9/11 and gave their lives to save others. But it’s important to also remember that brave men and women like officer Holder continue to get up every single day and put their lives on the line for the people of New York.”
Holder, who was killed Tuesday, was inspired to join the NYPD by his father and grandfather, who both served as police officers in Guyana, according to the New York Times.
This was the second tribute held for a fallen officer at the 9/11 Memorial. In 2014, officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos were honored following an ambush that took the lives of both men.
By Kaylee Skaar, 9/11 Memorial Communications Manager