Sandeep Dhaliwal, the first Sikh American to become a deputy at a Houston-area sheriff's department, was shot and killed Friday.

Dhaliwal was conducting a routine traffic stop when he was shot in the head from behind, police said.

Houston police took Robert Solis, 47, into custody and have since charged him with capital murder.

Dhaliwal was a 10-year veteran of the department and was lauded by his former colleagues and members of the community.

A Harris County resident sent us a video of fallen Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal.



“He laughed and joked with all of us, and left a bright impression on my son who is deaf,” she said.



Deputy Dhaliwal is an incredible loss not only to our HCSO family but to the entire community. pic.twitter.com/EbsdFeeWXO — HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) September 28, 2019

Our Harris County community loves their law enforcement officers. Not surprised to learn that a community-led vigil is being organized this evening to pay respects to Deputy Dhaliwal. He’s an incredible loss not only to our @HCSOTexas family but to the entire community. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/V4fdgHOkmK — Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) September 28, 2019

said in a press conference. ADVERTISEMENT "He wore the turban, he represented his community with integrity, respect and pride, and he was respected by all," Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalezsaid in a press conference.

Harris County Police Commissioner Adrian Garcia added, "This guy had a heart of gold. He treated his brothers and sisters in law enforcement as if they were just brothers and sisters. He thought of them before he thought of himself. He thought of the broader community before he thought of himself."



Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal beamed with pride when then-Sheriff @AdrianGarciaHTX announced he could wear his Sikh turbin and a beard while on duty. #hounews pic.twitter.com/BN3wnqYoCP — HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) September 27, 2019 In 2015, the Harris County Sheriff's Office rolled out a policy that allowed Dhaliwal to wear his turban on duty.

Gonzalez described Dhaliwal as a trailblazer multiple times during the press conference and noted that there are more Sikh deputies on the force now because of him.