Hero Down: NYPD Officer Richard ‘Rick’ Holt Killed By Driver Who Was Drag-Racing

Queens, NY – New York Police Department (NYPD) Officer Richard “Rick” Holt was killed in a motorcycle crash as he was riding to work on Saturday afternoon.

The incident occurred on the Cross Island Parkway at approximately 5:30 p.m., the New York Daily News reported.

Officer Holt, 34, was riding his Harley-Davidson near 17th Avenue when the driver of a 2014 BMW crashed into his motorcycle from behind.

The driver was allegedly drag-racing another BMW when the crash occurred.

Officer Holt was thrown from his bike due to the force of the impact, the New York Daily News reported.

He was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Queens, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Investigators said that the driver who crashed into the veteran officer remained at the scene, but that the driver he was racing sped away.

It is unclear whether or not the driver who slammed into the motorcycle will face criminal charges, the New York Daily News reported.

Prior to his career with the NYPD, Officer Holt was working for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s public safety office in Florida, the New York City Chapter of the Punishers Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club (PLEMC) said in a Facebook post on Sunday.

“A loving Friend, Rick has left his lasting impression of being a Brother to all, always ready to have a good time, kind hearted with good spirits,” the PLEMC said.

Officer Holt was a “courageous young man [who] impacted his department with commitment to keeping the safety of the general public,” the post read. “His family said that was his calling, to be one of New York’s Finest.”

He generally served as a member of the NYPD’s homeless outreach team, but had recently been reassigned to a coronavirus response unit, according to the PLEMC.

Officer Holt was also president of the Unwanted LEMC – a club that he created with a close-knit group of coworkers.

“With the local support surrounding him he and his men created a positive environment that focused on branching out in other neighborhoods in New York City, they are very active in the motorcycle lifestyle as they attended numerous events and participated in many fundraisers for a better quality of life,” the PLEMC said.

He was also chosen to be the route chief for this year’s 9/11 Memorial Parade.

“He literally was the best man for the position,” the PLEMC said.

“We all mourn for the loss of this great human being,” the post read. “The heavens gained a warrior today, may he rest eternally in peace.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of New York Police Department Officer Richard “Rick” Holt, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.

Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.