Papa John's extends donations for family of fallen deputy Dhaliwal after 'overwhelming response'

Mourners gather around a makeshift memorial for Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal, who was shot and killed Friday after a routine traffic stop on Willancy Court near Cypress on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Mourners gather around a makeshift memorial for Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal, who was shot and killed Friday after a routine traffic stop on Willancy Court near Cypress on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. Photo: Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Photo: Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 45 Caption Close Papa John's extends donations for family of fallen deputy Dhaliwal after 'overwhelming response' 1 / 45 Back to Gallery

Papa John's Pizza has announced it will extend its promotional offer to help the family of fallen Harris County Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal through Friday, Oct. 4.

Dhaliwal, 42, was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Cypress Sept. 27. Papa John's Pizza announced all of the proceeds from locations across the Houston area would be donated to Dhaliwal's family on Tuesday. Houstonians showed their support by overwhelming Papa John's locations across the city from as far as Magnolia and Conroe.

Residents posted to social media about the long wait times and lines that trailed outside of locations into the streets, most adding that they were happy to wait to help the deputy's family. The pizza chain said it was close to selling more pies on Tuesday than it did during the World Series and the Super Bowl, KHOU reported.

"Please be patient as we are getting out orders as fast as we can," Papa John's Houston said in a Tuesday Facebook post. "Your support has been tremendous!"

ON HOUSTON CHRONICLE.COM: Thousands expected to attend memorial for fallen Harris County deputy

Due to the overwhelming response, Papa John's has extended the fundraiser through Friday. Houstonians are asked to use the promo code HOUSTONCARES on all orders.

As the county's first Sikh deputy, Dhaliwal was remembered as a hero and a trailblazer among the Houston community. A father of three, he became a national figure after pushing for acceptance of religious attire while on patrol.

"He was a hero, a trailblazer," Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said of Dhaliwal, who he considered a close friend. "There are no words to speak to how heartbroken we are, how devastated."

Funeral services for Dhaliwal are being held Wednesday at the Berry Center in Cypress, near Houston.

RELATED: Everything we know about the killing of Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal

Rebecca Hennes covers community news. Read her on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | rebecca.hennes@chron.com