Texas man sentenced to death for murder of US’ first turbaned Sikh police officer

A jury in Texas delivered the death sentence October 26, 2022, for the man charged with killing Indian-American Police Officer Sandeep Dhaliwal of Harris County Sheriff’s Department in 2019.
Officer Dhaliwal, who was the first Sikh deputy for the Harris County police department, and the first Sikh officer in the U.S. to wear a turban, was killed in the line of duty following a traffic stop in September 2019. He had pulled Robert Solis up with a warrant for his arrest for violating parole at the time of the shooting.

“Verdict is in: Jurors sentence Robert Solis to death. We are extremely grateful that justice has been served. Sandeep changed our Sheriff’s Office family for the better, and we continue striving to live up to his example of servant leadership. May he Rest In Peace,” Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez tweeted.

The sentencing less than two weeks after he Solis was found guilty of the murder of Deputy Dhaliwal.

“The defendant executed a uniformed deputy by shooting him in the head in broad daylight,” Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said in a statement. “That makes him the worst of the worst, which is why we asked jurors to sentence him to death.”

After the verdict was announced, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office paid tribute to Dhaliwal.

“On September 27, 2019, Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal was fatally shot while conducting a traffic stop. He was known for his sense of humor and ability to make personal connections with his fellow deputies and the community he served. Gone but never forgotten,” Harris County Sheriff’s Office said in a tweet.