Family members pray, celebrate life of Officer Randolph Holder

EAST HARLEM (WABC) -- Family members sang, prayed and celebrated the life of Randolph Holder, the 33-year-old NYPD officer who was killed in the line of duty last week.

"He was a beautiful person, saw the best in everyone. He loved his job, and wanted to be a detective," said Officer Holder's fiancee, Mary Muhammad.

Surrounded by the New York Guyanese community, they paid tribute to the third-generation officer. Holder's father and grandfather both served in Guyana. Holder emigrated to the U.S. from his native Guyana.

Police officers from across the country will be in New York for Holder's funeral on Wednesday.

The National Action Network said Officer Holder's family contacted the Rev. Al Sharpton and asked if he would deliver remarks at the funeral.

At 3:00 Sunday morning, police finally found a 40-caliber semi-automatic gun. They believe this was the murder weapon, and they were not going to rest until they found it.

"The conditions down there, it's dark, they can only see 12-14 inches in front of them, and they're out on their bellies looking for this," says NYPD Chief William Aubry.

Meanwhile, the FDR was once again closed to traffic so 100 officers could search methodically for key forensic evidence.

As investigators build their case against accused cop killer Tyrone Howard, the family is left with the heartbreaking task of saying farewell.

"I had no idea on Tuesday when he kissed me and said 'see you later', that would be the last time I see him," said Muhammad.

Holder's fiance told Eyewitness News that she would like to organize a foundation where used NYPD gear and equipment can be shipped to Guyana for the police force there. She thinks that would be a perfect bridge to keep Officer Holder's legacy alive.