Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, the first member of the Sikh community to join the sheriff's office, was shot dead in September 2019. The incident happened when he was conducting a traffic stop in the Cypress neighbourhood. He was the first Sikh American in Texas to be granted a policy exception to serve while wearing his religious articles of faith, including his turban and beard.
The shocking incident
Dhaliwal was shot along West Road in the 14800 block of Willancy Court in northwest Harris County. Major Michael Lee of the sheriff's office studied Dhaliwal's dash camera and stated that the officer appeared to be conversing with the motorist and that there was "no combat, no arguing." While Dhaliwal and the suspect were discussing, the driver's door was open.
The deputy locked the driver's door and remained in the vehicle. When Dhaliwal turned to walk back to his patrol car, the driver's door opened and the suspect exited nearly immediately, running with a revolver already out.
According to Lee, the dash cam caught the motorist shooting Dhaliwal from behind and hitting him in the back of the head. The suspect got back in his car and drove off in the opposite direction. Lee stated that a nearby citizen who was doing yard work watched the traffic stop and raced to rescue the deputy after shots were fired and the suspect fled.
The suspect, described as a Hispanic male, was apprehended at a business less than a quarter-mile away from the area. Lee claimed a deputy noticed him looking nervous. The guy was apprehended after matching the description of the photo from the dash cam. Eventually, 47-year-old Robert Solis was identified as the suspect. He was charged with capital murder with no set bond.
Dhaliwal’s family
According to the sheriff, Dhaliwal was a veteran of the department who had served for ten years. He was left by his wife and their three children. His coworkers drove the van carrying Dhaliwal's body from the hospital to the office of the medical examiner. As a mark of respect, the deputies lined up along the route leading from the van to the entrance of the office and honoured their departed brother.
Dhaliwal was regarded as a role model for fellow Sikh Americans and religious minorities interested in careers in law enforcement. At his funeral, thousands wept and spoke of his relationship with the people in his district, as well as his commitment to sharing his religion.
Nimrat Rai, Dhaliwal's niece, said, “ He would just try to teach us everything, like kindness. Like, if you be kind to people, they'll be kind back. Just show a smile. Be a leader, not a follower."
House names Houston post office after slain Sikh deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal
A year later, the US House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill naming a Houston post office after slain Harris County sheriff's deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal, the agency's first Sikh deputy.
H.R. 5317, which was supported by U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, the post office at 315 Addicks Howell Road in Houston's Energy Corridor was renamed the "Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal Post Office." The entire Texas delegation co-sponsored the bill.
According to a statement from Harwinder Kaur Dhaliwal, the deputy’s wife, “ I am very grateful to Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher and her commitment to honoring my husband’s memory. He loved being a part of and serving his community. Naming a post office after him will honor his work and dedication, and I am happy that this bill has passed the House today.”
Honoring Deputy Dhaliwal: A 48-hour prayer ceremony
In 2020, Houston observed Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal Day. Members of the Sikh faith opted to memorialise his life with a 48-hour continuous prayer session. The ceremony included readings from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book.
Sampuran Singh, who was with the Sikh National Center at the time, said, “Nonstop, continuously, we read this book day and night. That's been a tradition for the last three, four centuries."
Dhaliwal joined the Harris County Sheriff's Office in 2009 after meeting then-Sheriff Adrian Garcia at Dhaliwal's place of worship, a Gurdwara. Dhaliwal began wearing a turban on duty after Gurdwara religious officials asked him to do so. According to the Sikh religion, the word "Sikh" means "student," and doing good for the community is one method to get closer to God. Dhaliwal exemplified this with his unselfish service.
Deepak Rai, Dhaliwal's brother-in-law, said, "When you're wearing a turban, it's the hand of God on your head. It's just like a blessing when you're wearing a turban, and you feel proud wearing a turban."
*Based on articles by ABC 13 published on 28th September 2019 and 3rd October 2020, and an article in Houston Chronicle on 14th September 2020