Texas remembers 'trailblazer' Sikh police officer

Indian-American Sikh police officer Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal was gunned down in northwest of Houston on Friday last evoking widespread condemnation. Texas is yet to come to terms from the trauma of his untimely death.

Hyderabad:No one believed that the American soil will lose its 'trailblazer' so early. Yes, we are talking about the Indian-American Sikh police officer Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal. The 42-year-old top US cop, widely admired for his work in spreading multi-faith understanding, was gunned down while conducting a routine mid-day traffic stop in the northwest of Houston on Friday last week.

Though several days have passed since his murder, Texas is yet to recover from the trauma of his untimely death.

Funeral services of Dhaliwal, which were performed on Wednesday, witnessed a footfall of hundreds of mourners, police officers, Sikh believers, Indian-Americans among others. Law enforcement personnel from across the US, Canada including Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and other city and state officials also attended the service.

The fallen deputy's funeral included processions, a traditional Sikh funeral and a law enforcement funeral with a 21-gun salute from fellow officers and a helicopter flyover.

Described as a deputy, who educate others about a faith that teaches peace and love, was the first Sikh sheriff's deputy on a force that covers an area including the nation's fourth-largest city of Houston.

Wednesday's services followed a candlelight vigil by the sheriff's office for Dhaliwal on Monday and a 48-hour-long prayer-vigil at the Gurdwara Sikh National Center.

Dhaliwal, the father of three, joined the force 10 years back. He made headlines when he was allowed to wear turban and beard while on duty as the state's first law enforcement officer.