Solemn prayer vigil held outside police precinct in East Harlem where Officer Holder stationed
EAST HARLEM (WABC) -- One of New York's finest gunned down in the very community he risked his life daily to serve...prompted a passionate prayer vigil and call for action from Rev. Al Sharpton and members of the National Action Network outside PSA5 Saturday.
During a prayer vigil, Reverend Al Sharpton said he wished all police were like Officer Holder, who he believes represented the best in this community.
"Randolph Holder represents the best in our community - we wish all police were like him, and we wish all citizens would mourn him, "said Rev. Sharpton.
While Sharpton's organization has been extremely vocal against police brutality, he says their support of the police force has never wavered.
"We have been consistent in saying that anti-police brutality advocates are not anti-police. Randolph Holder's killing was a blow to all of us," Rev. Sharpton adds.
Officer Holder's sudden death has been a devastating blow for countless neighbors and fellow officers, some of which gathered around a growing memorial Saturday sharing prayers, tears and condolences for the his family...
"I just came to pay my support, and let the family know that we're here - we're here for them and you know, it touched all of us, you know it affects us all," said one person who did not want to be named.
"If it wasn't for him, you know, no telling what would've happened that night. So sorry that he had to be a sacrifice, but my prayers are with the family, with the NYPD," says Calvin Hunt of Blue Lives Matter.
Now, as detectives continue their search for the three men in surveillance video wanted for questioning in a shootout shortly before Holder was gunned down, members of the Harlem community are hoping more people will step up and support the men and women in blue who protect and serve us all.
"I just hope that this can bring us together now, you know - let them see what this is doing to us" says Olivia Hunt of Blue Lives Matter, "the police need help, and we should do something for them instead of rallying against them."
