Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Killed In The Line Of Duty

HARRIS COUNTY, TX — A Harris County sheriff's deputy died after being shot while conducting a traffic stop Friday afternoon, officials said.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the deputy was taken to the hospital via lifeflight. Officials identified the fallen deputy as Sandeep Dhaliwal, a Sikh member of the department. The Harris County sheriff's office shared a photo of Dhaliwal where he is seen smiling after it was announced that he would be allowed to wear a turban on duty and have a beard, keeping in line with the deputy's religious beliefs.

The shooting happened at 14807 Willancy Court at West Road. Major Mike Lee of the sheriff's department told reporters at a press briefing that Dhaliwal conducted what appeared to be a routine traffic stop around 12:23 p.m.

Lee said he looked at Dhaliwal's dashcam video and described the scene, saying that Dhaliwal appeared to be having an interaction with the driver that seemed conversational. The door was open during the interaction but had been closed as Dhaliwal was walking back to his car.

According to Lee, just four to five seconds later, the driver of the car ran up from behind and "basically ambushed" Dhaliwal.

A neighbor who was doing yard work heard the gunshots and called 911. The suspect was taken into custody after being found in a nearby business, officials said. A woman who is believed to be the passenger in the car is also in custody, officials said.

Officials have charged Robert Solis, 47, with capital murder.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner called Dhaliwal a "bold and groundbreaking law enforcement officer in the eyes of our county, our state, our nation, and around the world, because he sought and received permission to patrol while wearing the outward signs of his Sikh faith, including a turban and beard.

"The story of him putting the Sikh imperative of “seva” -- selfless service -- on display as a peacekeeper went worldwide," Turner said in his statement. "In that role he was a walking lesson in tolerance and understanding, which are values Houstonians uphold here in the nation’s most diverse big city. I send my deepest condolences to the deputy’s family, to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office."