Houston: Sikh police officer shot dead in a cold-blooded way
An Indian-American Sikh police officer, Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal died after being shot multiple times in the head from behind, during a traffic stop in Houston, Texas. The assailant was later found and taken into custody. Notably, Dhaliwal was the first Sikh to become a deputy at a Houston-area sheriff's department. He was a trailblazer who paved way for many Sikhs to join the department.
Citing a review of Dhaliwal's dashcam video, the officials said it appeared to be a routine traffic stop, wherein he conversed with the driver for about two minutes before heading back to his patrol vehicle. But within a few seconds, the driver stepped out of the car with a gun and "ambushed" the officer, shooting him in the head. The reason of the attack hasn't been ascertained.
Subsequently, an image of the gunman, obtained from the dashcam, was circulated. The assailant was eventually found inside a business center, less than a mile away from the scene of crime. Robert Solis, 47, was taken into custody and charged with capital murder. A weapon believed to be used in the attack was also recovered. A woman co-passenger was also taken into custody.
Dhaliwal, as fondly remembered by his colleagues, was a 10-year veteran, who is survived by his wife and three children. In 2015, he became a trailblazer for his community, when the Harris County Sheriff's Office made an official policy, allowing him to wear his beard and turban on duty. Before becoming a deputy, he was an entrepreneur with a trucking business.
Praying and standing with the family and #SikhCommunity of Harris County Sheriff Depty @sandeepdhaliwa who was fatally shot today. He represented the diversity and inclusiveness of our community and everything that is good. Evil you do not win here. st
— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) September 27, 2019
"Deputy Dhaliwal is known to everybody as someone with a giving heart. Post (Hurricane) Harvey, when we needed help, he brought an 18-wheeler of people, that came all the way from California to deliver goods to our community," said Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
