Houston: Sandeep Dhaliwal, the first Sikh Deputy in Houston's Harris County Sheriff's Department, was shot dead multiple times in the head from behind during a midday traffic stop, authorities said. Dhaliwal, 42, was the county's first Sikh Deputy when he joined the force 10 years ago, and became a national figure after convincing the Department to allow him to wear religious attire and grow a beard while on patrol.

"He wore the turban, he represented his community with integrity, respect and pride and he was respected by all," Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said at a press conference on Friday night. "It's the worst day, the worst nightmare for any police executive," he added. According to Harris County Sheriff's Office Maj. Mike Lee, Dhaliwal pulled over a vehicle around 12.45 pm on Friday in the 14800 block of Willancy Court in the Cypress area.