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Touching tributes to murdered Harris County deputy

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal honored at vigil Monday night

A candlelight vigil was held at GoForth Park in honor of Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal, who was killed in the line of duty.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A large outpouring of support was on display Monday night for a candlelight vigil honoring Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal, who was shot to death during a traffic stop on Friday.

The vigil was held Monday night at GoForth Park on Horsepen Creek in Cypress.

The park is named for another deputy who was killed in the line of duty in 2015, Deputy Darren GoForth.

WATCH: Houston Mayor says Deputy Dhalilwal "represents all that is good"

"For me, Deputy Dhaliwal represents all that is good, all that is right, all that is just," said mayor Sylvester Turner at Monday night's vigil for Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal.

After GoForth's shooting, Deputy Dhaliwal visited his memorial daily, saying at the time, more people need to support officers and do so in a visible way.

"Just wear blue. Wear blue and be proud of that," Dhaliwal said four years ago. "And that shows support to law enforcement. Simple as that."

Now, everyone wore blue for Dhaliwal.

Before Monday night's vigil, people were asked to bring candles, blue lights, and blue glow sticks.

Mayor Sylvester Turner, Police Chief Art Acevedo and former Sheriff Adrian Garcia honored Dhaliwal at the vigil.

Dhaliwal, a 10-year veteran of HCSO, was the first member of the Sikh community to join the sheriff's office. He's survived by his wife and three children.

WATCH: Former sheriff thanks Dhaliwal family at fallen deputy vigil