Sandeep Dhaliwal: Murdered US Sikh policeman honoured in UK

• 14 Mar 2023

The murder of Harris County Sheriff Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal, 42 - who was hailed as a "trailblazer" for becoming the first officer in Texas to wear a traditional Sikh turban and beard - sent shockwaves through the US as well as in Sikh communities around the world.

Sun Kaur, of United Sikhs, said that as the group's homeland security director, Dhaliwal "lived everyday in service of others". She said he "proudly wore his turban" to symbolise his commitment to "equality for all".

Dhaliwal had been drawn to a life of community service, speaker after speaker recounted during the memorial on Saturday. 

His father served in the Indian Navy and his uncle, too had served in the Indian military.

Dhaliwal's sister, Spring Vale ward Labour councillor Rupinderjit Kaur, also paid tribute to her brother at the memorial service which she had helped organise.

Both siblings were born in India before moving away. Mr Dhaliwal first worked as a truck driver in Texas before later joining the sheriff's department 10 years ago, she recalled.

During the eulogy, Ms Kaur remembered her brother saying: "Never compromise with your faith to fit in. Be an example.