Alan Van Patter, who grew up in Mission and a graduate from Mission Senior Secondary in 2000, teaches at a middle school in the Houston area where first Sikh-American Deputy Sheriff Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal was gunned down. He was saddened by the senseless loss, as he describes, “good people shouldn’t have to be afraid to help others.” He painted a special portrait of Dhaliwal as a way to pay respect to all police officers. 

By Ken Herar

A few weeks ago, Harris County Sherriff Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal was shot and killed during a traffic stop, near Houston Texas. Dhaliwal, a trailblazing turbaned Sikh officer was a popular figure in his local county volunteering much of his time helping people in need and bridging communities culturally together. Thousands from around North America and the globe came to pay their respects to Dhaliwal, who sacrificed and stood out honourably. We all know this too well as the second anniversary of Abbotsford Police Cst. John Davidson death is approaching next month.

 

There is a strong local connection to this story that showcases our caring diverse spirit.  Alan Van Patter, formerly of Mission and a graduate from Mission Senior Secondary in 2000, teaches at a middle school in the area where the tragedy took place. He was saddened by the senseless loss, as he describes, “good people shouldn’t have to be afraid to help others.”  Speaking with him via telephone he goes on to describe his school as it gets renovated where students ask if the windows on the classroom doors are bulletproof.  He further adds, “we shouldn’t have to second guess the person motives whether we are going to be safe.”

He didn’t attend the public service for the fallen officer, but he stepped in a touching way that remembers Dhaliwal in his physical state. Over a course of a few days and spending 8-10 hours a day Van Patter created a beautiful portrait of Dhalwail that he will be giving to his family. The painting is absolutely amazing and captures the lively presence of the deputy with his glowing smile.

Van Patter shared an important thought, “One of the reasons that I’m extra sensitive to the fact that it was a police officer that was killed because my best friend growing up was Cst Derek Mealings, an Abbotsford Police Officer. I pray that he is safe and that nothing like this occurs to him or anyone that he works with.”

Ken Herar is a Mission City councillor and can be reached at Kenherar@gmail.com