Robert H. Holmes was the first NYPD African-American officer to die in the line of duty. African Americans or Black Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have origins in any of the black populations of Africa Robert Holmes was appointed to police officer on August 25, 1913. Events 1248 - The Dutch city of Ommen receives city rights and fortification rights from Otto III the Year 1913 ( MCMXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common He was assigned to the 38th precinct in Harlem, New York. Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, long known as a major African American cultural and business center In 1917, Officer Holmes was shot to death while chasing a burglar.