MANHATTAN CRIMINAL COURT — The man who fatally shot an NYPD officer in East Harlem was sentenced to life in prison without parole Monday.
Tyrone Howard, 32, who murdered Detective Randolph Holder during a chase in October 2015, received the sentence in front a courtroom packed with police officers and Holder's family Monday morning.
The officers applauded in the courtroom after the Judge Michael Obus handed down the sentence.
Last month, a jury convicted Howard of first-degree murder after four days of deliberations.
Holder’s parents, flanked by dozens of NYPD officers, spoke with reporters following the sentencing with tears in their eyes after having confronted the man who killed their 33-year-old son.
Holder's father, Randolph Holder Sr., said he was glad with the case's conclusion but that his family is “still hurting.”
Randolph Holder Sr. (speaking at microphone), flanked by the slain officer's stepmother Princess Holder (in white) and Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President Pat Lynch (in red tie). (DNAinfo/Dartunorro Clark)
He also spoke about his son’s journey from Guyana to the city to “make a difference” by joining the NYPD.
“We can come from far and do good. We can be an example of the best. Randolph came from over 2,000 miles and did make a difference," he said, holding back tears.
“I want to send a message to the mothers and fathers: Take care of your kids, and just teach them, every day, discipline and manners so when they go out there they can be respectful to the police and do good.”
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Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President Pat Lynch also stood with the family after the sentencing.
“We thank [the judge] for giving this jackal life without parole so he could never hurt another person on our streets again,” he said, calling Howard “pure evil.”
“This family has lived through hell since the day they got rushed to that hospital to watch their son die, their brother pass and their fiance never live again," Lynch added.
Holder, who moved from Guyana to the United States to fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, was shot in the head by Howard on a pedestrian overpass on the FDR Drive while responding to a report of gunshots being traded between gangs at a nearby park.
