An Indian-American Sikh police officer, who made national headlines when he was allowed to grow a beard and wear a turban on the job has been killed after being shot multiple times from behind in an “ambush-style” attack in a “ruthless, cold-blooded way” during a traffic st
Sikh Police Officer Shot Dead
Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, a 10-year veteran of the Harris County Sheriff’s office died in his early 40s. He was the first Sikh deputy there and was gunned down while conducting a mid-day traffic stop in northwest of Houston on Friday, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said in a tweet, “I’m sad to share with you that we’ve lost one of our own. Our HCSO Texas was unable to recover from his injuries. There are no words to convey our sadness,”
The officer also stated that Dhaliwal, 42, was taken by helicopter for an immediate medical treatment to a hospital where he then died, a decade after turning into the force’s first Sikh as well as pushing for a historic growth of religious rights in the department.
“We mourn the loss of a wonderful father, husband, son brother, friend, and last but not least, a Texas Peace Officer,” Gonzalez further said.
Sandeep Dhaliwal, who kept his Sikh articles of faith comprising a turban and beard, was married and a father of three children.
Gonzalez said that Dhaliwal stopped a vehicle with a man and woman inside. One of them then got out and shot him at least twice in an “ambush-style” attack at least twice in a “ruthless, cold-blooded way”, he said.
The officials have reported that the vehicle that the shooter was driving was found and is being investigated. The gunman along with the woman was also taken into custody, they said.
“Deputy Dhaliwal is known to everybody as someone with a giving heart. Post (Hurricane) Harvey, when we needed the help most, he brought an 18-wheeler of people that he gathered together, that came all the way from California to deliver goods to our community,” Gonzalez said.
Sandeep Dhaliwal has also worked with United Sikhs, which is a global humanitarian relief as well as an advocacy nonprofit, in order to help in organizing the donation of truckloads of supplies for first responders after Harvey.
Adrian Garcia, Harris County police commissioner also stated, “This guy had a heart of gold, he treated his brothers and sisters in law enforcement as if they were just brothers and sisters. He thought of them before he thought of himself. He thought of the broader community before he thought of himself,”
In the meantime, Robert Solis, 47, the shooter, has been charged with capital murder in connection with Dhaliwal’s murder, the sheriff’s office said in a tweet.
A weapon was also recovered that deputies believe was used to kill Dhaliwal, Gonzalez said. “It’s the worst day, the worst nightmare for any police executive,” Gonzalez said.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner also tweeted on Friday night responding on this unfortunate incident, saying Dhaliwal “represented the diversity and inclusiveness of our community and everything that is good.”
