(Houston, TX) – Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) introduced the bipartisan H. Res. 616 to honor Harris County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal, who was killed in the line of duty on Friday, September 27, 2019. Lt. Dhaliwal was the first Sikh police officer to serve in the Harris County Sheriff’s Office while maintaining his articles of faith.

“Lt. Dhaliwal’s death is a tragic loss for the Houston and Sikh communities. He represented the best of us: he worked for equality, connection, and community through his life of service to others,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “This resolution seeks to celebrate his life and recognize his contribution to the police force both as an outstanding officer and role model for Houstonians and Sikhs alike. I send my deepest condolences to his family, friends, fellow officers, and all those who mourn him.”

In 2015, Lt. Dhaliwal became the first Sikh American in Texas to receive a policy accommodation to serve while wearing his articles of faith, including his turban and beard. He was seen as a role model and a trailblazer for Sikh Americans and religious minorities that sought to serve in law enforcement.

Out of 15,4000 law enforcement agencies, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office is one of 25 agencies that have permitted Sikhs to wear their religious articles of faith.

The resolution was co-sponsored by the entire Houston delegation: Reps. Brian Babin (TX-36), Kevin Brady (TX-08), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Al Green (TX-09), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Michael McCaul (TX-10), Pete Olson (TX-22), and Randy Weber (TX-14).