People Pay Respect To America’s 1st Sikh Police Officer Who Was Shot Dead In Texas

In a deeply saddening incident, a Sikh police officer was recently shot dead in Texas, United States. However, he wasn’t an ordinary police officer. He was, in fact, America’s first-ever Sikh police officer who openly wore a turban during duty, marking his faith.

According to a report by NDTV, 42-year-old Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, Harris County Sheriff’s deputy, was shot in a “ruthless” and “cold-blooded” while he was on duty. The accused is an unnamed man and a woman who stopped their car near his and one of them got down and shot him brutally.

Dhaliwal was a 10-year veteran of the department and his colleagues knew him as someone with a “giving heart”.

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

Dhaliwal is regarded as a “history-making officer” in Texas to serve while keeping his Sikh articles of faith – a turban and beard. Reports revealed that he was allowed to wear the turban and beard while patrolling the streets to “bolster cultural diversity”.

Prominent names and people of the internet paid their respects to the late officer and expressed their grief regarding the incident.

Horrific news. Lt. Sandeep Dhaliwal, the first ever Sikh officer to wear a turban in Texas was shot and killed in the line of duty today.

A good man devoted to serving others. Please offer your love and prayers for his family. pic.twitter.com/lVjTQVpEHu

— Simran Jeet Singh (@SikhProf) September 27, 2019

RIP: Officer Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, the 1st Sikh in Texas to wear his Turban while on duty shot in cold blood in northwest Harris County & killed in the line of duty. Loss of a wonderful father, husband, son, brother, friend, & last but not least, the First Sikh Officer in Texas pic.twitter.com/6WNbx7YdVH

— Harjinder Singh Kukreja (@SinghLions) September 28, 2019

The killing of Harris Co Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal is especially saddening. A groundbreaking member of law enforcement who patrolled while wearing the outward signs of his Sikh faith, put his religion's imperative of selfless service on display for all to see.

— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) September 27, 2019

HEARTBREAKING: Deputies pay their respects to comrade Sandeep Dhaliwal. 💔 The father and husband rallied so much support after Harvey, he needed an 18 wheeler to deliver supplies. When Maria hit Puerto Rico, he went. He was THAT guy. https://t.co/wc837fWBdF pic.twitter.com/c7jiU6rcpf

— Erica Simon (@EricaOnABC13) September 28, 2019

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

A Harris County resident sent us a video of fallen Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal.

“He laughed and joked with all of us, and left a bright impression on my son who is deaf,” she said.

Deputy Dhaliwal is an incredible loss not only to our HCSO family but to the entire community. pic.twitter.com/EbsdFeeWXO

— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) September 28, 2019

So so much love and respect from the community for him in this video. Much respect and my condolences to all affected 🙏🙏Suspect identified, charged in shooting death of Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal | https://t.co/yq1u3Lopf0 https://t.co/ZJ1HrciHlu

— S Saxena (@MissSaxena_) September 28, 2019

He paved the way for Sikhs to join law enforcement while practicing their religion. I met him twice in Houston. Very kind heart human being has gone forever.

— KulbirSinghAkalGarh (@Katha_Watchak) September 28, 2019

I knew him when I worked in Houston, he was one of a kind, amazing man, my heart is broken

— Johnney (@Johnney87329059) September 28, 2019

https://twitter.com/barrymerritt/status/1177795435093725186?s=17

Great sadness. A proud representative of two extraordinary groups of people: police officers, and Sikhs. Prayers for you and your family. "A warrior goes to you swift and straight as an arrow shot into the sun."

— Madame Covfefé ⭐⭐⭐ (@1shykitten) September 28, 2019

Rest in peace, braveheart.