Sikh police officer gets killed in line of duty in the United States

A Sikh law-enforcement officer has been fatally shot multiple times during a traffic stop in US state of Texas, a media report said Saturday. Harris County Sherrif's Office Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal, 42, pulled over a vehicle when someone approached him from behind and opened fire near Cypress city, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.

A cold-blooded murder

Gonzalez said Dhaliwal, a 10-year veteran of department, stopped a vehicle with a man and woman inside and one of m got out and shot him "ambush-style" at least twice in a "ruthless, cold-blooded way."  shooter was seen running to a shopping centre nearby, officials said.

Investigators were able to identify what shooter looked like by watching Dhaliwal's dashcam video. "y immediately looked at his dashcam to see what suspect looked like, y took a photo of suspect on scene with ir phone and immediately got that out to our intel people," Gonzalez said.

vehicle shooter was driving was found and is being investigated, officials said. gunman and woman were taken into custody, y said.

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Dhaliwal represented his community with respect and pride: Commissioner 

Dhaliwal was married and a far of three children. "Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal was a trailblazer. He was an example for many. He represented his community with respect and pride," said Commissioner rian Garcia.

"Deputy Dhaliwal is kwn to everybody as someone with a giving heart," Gonzalez said. "Post (Hurricane) Harvey, when we needed help most, he brought an 18-wheeler of people that he gared toger, that came all way from California to deliver goods to our community."

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Since 2015, Dhaliwal was "history-making" police officer in Texas to serve while keeping his Sikh articles of faith, including a turban and beard. He was allowed to wear turban and beard while patrolling streets in order to bolster cultural diversity. With this policy, one of largest sheriff's offices in country h affirmed that a person does t have to choose between ir faith and a career of service.

Since 9/11, misperceptions about Sikhs' religiously mandated turbans and beards have led to an increase in discrimination against community. Policy changes like that at Harris County Sheriff Office and or law enforcement ncies across country aim to combat this stigma while also giving qualified men and women a chance to serve community.

Dhaliwal worked with United Sikhs, a global humanitarian relief and vocacy nprofit, to help organize donation of trucklos of supplies for first responders after Harvey.

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