Family, friends and fellow officers gathered Wednesday afternoon to remember NYPD Officer Randolph Holder at his funeral in Queens. NY1's Dean Meminger filed the following report.

Thousands of police officers from across the city and nation stood in the wind-swept rain, paying final respects to Officer Randolph Holder, who was mourned inside the Greater Allen AME Cathedral as a good man and a good police officer.

Police Commissioner William Bratton was emotional as he posthumously promoted Holder to the rank of detective.  

"Detective Randolph Holder, you are relieved of your duty as a New York City police officer, guardian at the gates of New York City, and we send you on your way to your new assignment, to be a guardian angel at the gates of Heaven," Bratton said.

"Officer Randolph Holder was dedicated to others, to his family and to all the people of this city. He was dedicated to making a difference in their lives," said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Career criminal Tyrone Howard has been charged with murder in Holder's death. There has been a fierce debate over whether Howard should have been allowed to enter drug rehab last spring instead of being sent to prison on a drug charge. Holder's pastor, the Rev. Leslie Mullings, said the debate is beside the point.

"We could blame the mayor, we could blame the commissioner, we could blame the police union, we could blame the judge who released this criminal, but when it's all said and done, we are responsible and we are accountable for what happens in our communities,"

Holder's fiancée, Maryiane Muhammad, spoke movingly of the man she loved.

"To simply wear the uniform of an officer is an act of courage. You have chosen to be both target and hero," Muhammad said. "It can be argued that to be the loved one of an officer we choose the same fate, but let's choose to be heroes."

One of the many police officers outside, Jersey City Officer Jean Acevedo, says his brother, an NYPD officer, worked with Holder, who he considered a friend.

"He was even at one of our cousin's baby showers. So it wasn't just about brother in blue. It's about someone who we knew personally and cared for," Acevedo said.

An honor guard brought the casket from the church, beginning Officer Randolph Holder's final journey to his native Guyana, where he will be buried Saturday.