Houston''s first Sikh Deputy''s death: ‘Take a moment to honour him’, says social media

Houston, September 28 

Social media wept for the Indian-American Sikh police officer, who was has been shot and killed in an "ambush-style" attack in a "ruthless, cold-blooded way" in the US State of Texas. India reacted to the brutal murder of the cop, with Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar condoling his death.

Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, a 10-year veteran of the Harris County Sheriff's office and its first Sikh deputy, was gunned down while conducting a mid-day traffic stop in northwest of Houston on Friday, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.

"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," Gonzalez said in a tweet.

This video captures the essence of who Deputy Dhaliwal was. He touched countless of lives along the way. A legacy that will never be forgotten. We will aspire to be as good as he was. #HouNews #lesm https://t.co/c3i2eBBLMv

— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) September 28, 2019

"We mourn the loss of a wonderful father, husband, son brother, friend, and last but not least, a Texas Peace Officer," he said.

Dhaliwal worked with United Sikhs, a global humanitarian relief and advocacy non-profit, to help organise the donation of truckloads of supplies for first responders after Hurricane Harvey.

"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.

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar paid condolence to the Indian-American cop on Saturday morning. He wrote: “Deeply grieved to learn of the shooting of Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, a Sikh Indian-American officer in Houston. We have just visited that city. My condolences to his family."

Deeply grieved to learn of the shooting of Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, a Sikh Indian-American officer in Houston. We have just visited that city. My condolences to his family. https://t.co/BBUJOFcjB8

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 28, 2019

Tribute came pouring in on social media soon after the Indian-America cop’s death. People remembered his 10 years of service. 

Muhammad Lila paid his condolences. He wrote: “Four years ago, Sandeep Dhaliwal became the first person in Texas to wear a turban while serving on the force. He fought for the right, and he won. Today, he was shot dead during a routine traffic stop. Take a moment to honor him.”

Four years ago, Sandeep Dhaliwal became the first person in Texas to wear a turban while serving on the force.

He fought for the right, and he won.

Today, he was shot dead during a routine traffic stop.

Take a moment to honor him.

📸 @HCSOTexas) pic.twitter.com/6bvmmTMntc

— Muhammad Lila (@MuhammadLila) September 27, 2019

"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," said Adrian Garcia, Harris County police commissioner.

Garcia implemented a religious accommodation policy that allowed Dhaliwal to wear the traditional turban and beard of the Sikh religion.

Dhaliwal was married and was a father of three children.

"Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal was a trailblazer. He was an example for many. He represented his community with respect and pride," Garcia said.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner tweeted on Friday night saying Dhaliwal "represented the diversity and inclusiveness of our community and everything that is good."

Deputy Dhaliwal was a walking lesson in tolerance and understanding, which are values Houstonians uphold here in the nation’s most diverse big city. I send my deepest condolences to the deputy’s family, to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office.

— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) September 27, 2019

 Texas Governor Greg Abbott released a statement Friday saying "this tragic loss is a grave reminder of the risks that our law enforcement officers face every single day."  

"I thank the officers who bravely responded to apprehend the suspect, and I assure you that the state of Texas is committed to bringing this killer to justice," Abbott said.

Since 2015, Dhaliwal was the "history-making" police officer in Texas to serve while keeping his Sikh articles of faith.

He was allowed to wear the turban and beard while patrolling the streets in order to bolster cultural diversity. — PTI