HOUSTON – In 2009, Sandeep Dhaliwal made history by joining the Harris County Sheriff’s Office as the first Sikh deputy, and six years after he was tragically killed in the line of duty, he is still remembered as a trailblazer.
On Saturday, dozens of deputies and loved ones gathered to honor Deputy Dhaliwal’s memory.
Today, @SheriffEd_HCSO and HCSO honored the life and legacy of Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal on the 6th anniversary of his passing. 🕊️💙
— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) September 27, 2025
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His loved ones, teammates, and the Copperbrook community—where he proudly served—gathered for a memorial breakfast.
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We will never forget. pic.twitter.com/c3RG2zE0ZQ
In addition to becoming the first Sikh deputy hired with the Sheriff’s Office, he made history again by being able to wear his turban while serving out his duties as an officer. Being able to adorn the turban and keep his beard was particularly important because in the Sikh faith, these are identifying symbols of justice and protection for those in need.
This, in turn, also paved the way for other members of the Sikh community to enter law enforcement.
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On September 27, 2019, Deputy Dhaliwal was shot and killed during a traffic stop by Robert Solis. During his murder trial in October 2022, a jury was shown Deputy Dhaliwal’s bodycam, where Solis was seen jumping out of his car in the middle of the traffic stop, running up to the officer’s patrol car, and ordering him to put his hands up, not to move, before shooting the deputy in the head at point-blank range.
A jury found Solis guilty of capital murder, and a judge sentenced him to death.
“We are extremely grateful that justice has been served,” Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said of the trial in October 2022. “Sandeep changed our Sheriff’s Office family for the better, and we continue striving to live up to his example of servant leadership.”
MORE: Man who fatally shot Harris County Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal during traffic stop sentenced to death
During Saturday’s gathering, Sheriff Gonzalez reiterated those sentiments on X, saying, “We will never forget.”