A vigil and dedicated Indian-American Sikh police officer was shot dead in Texas during his duty hours. He was reportedly shot multiple times when he stopped a car for its regular traffic check.
The estranged veteran, Sandeep Dhaliwal who was a 10 year old veteran in the Texas police department was attacked by a man and a woman inside the car when he stopped them for a routine traffic check, while on his duty.
Ed Gonzalez, one of the Sheriffs said that the officer was shot in the “ambush style” by one of the people from inside the car when they stepped out when the officer asked them to stop the car. The shooting was described to be done in a ruthless and cold blooded way.
Dhaliwal was appointed as the cop in the Harris County and was the very first turbaned Sikh officer to serve the duty in the Texas police department.
Addressing further reports, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez further said that the entire department is heartbroken over the loss of such an amazing and dedicated officer. He regarded Dhaliwal as a hero and leader who the team and the state had to lose in a violent and tragic manner.
Gonzalez said that he and the entire team and people who knew Dhaliwal are out of words with the situation, angered and they are at a lack of words to convey their anger, heartbreak and grief surrounding the situation. But, he said that the entire team is going to carry forward his vision and ideals and work as Dhaliwal would have done – with integrity.
People from around the world have showered in words of condolences for the lost veteran and the kind of contributions he has had on the state’s police department.
Even the Indian External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar tweeted his condolences for the parted soul and his family to fight through the tough times.
The suspect behind the brutal shooting, Robert Solis, a 47-year old, has been taken under custody and has been charged with capital murder, the police reports suggest. They are further investigating to see whether there was any motive behind the same or it was a hate crime against Dhaliwal.
Senator John Cornyn and the Mayor of Houston along with Dhaliwal’s colleagues all showered in tweets following his death, commemorating him and his service for the Texas Police Department. People from across the world have also showered in their tweets of condolences.
