For Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa, this is a busy time. The MLB All-Star is back healthy and ready to help his club make another playoff push to the World Series. That is the focus right now, but he took some personal time to help a Texas family grieving and in need of comfort.
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Last Friday, Harris County Deputy Sheriff Sandeep Dhaliwal was making a routine traffic stop in broad daylight when he was shot in the back of the head. The senseless murder of the Houston police officer really hit Correa hard, and he wanted to assist in any way possible.
Correa, a Puerto Rico native, had learned Dhaliwal was one of the first people to travel to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria swept through the country. So when tragedy struck, the Astros shortstop paid a visit to the family and donated $10,000.
"It really means a lot to me. When I heard he went to Puerto Rico to help a lot of people over there, he was one of the first ones to go out there, leaving his family behind to go out there and help people that were in need back home, it really touched me," Correa told Mark Berman of Fox26. "A lot of people in Puerto Rico suffered a tragedy with Hurricane Maria, and for him to go out of his way and go help people that he didn't even know, it really touched me. We're very grateful for everything he did, me and my family, the whole country of Puerto Rico. It's an unfortunate situation, but I wanted to come show my respects and my appreciation for the family and be able to help them in some way."
"Thank you Sandeep for everything you did to help others here in Houston and Puerto Rico," Correa wrote on Twitter. "Rest in Peace, you'll always be remembered."
There's no doubt the Deputy Sandeep Dhaliwal, 42, touched many lives, and this meeting with Correa on Monday afternoon after the tragic traffic stop Friday just added to his special legacy.
In fact, meeting the Astros star was the first time Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez saw Dhaliwal's family smile.
"We really appreciate him reaching out. It speaks to really his character and for him to proactively reach out to us wanting to help the family, he was obviously touched by Deputy Dhaliwal. As we know, Deputy Dhaliwal was one of the first that went out there to help out the Puerto Rico community during Hurricane Maria. And so now he's here to support the family.
"Frankly, amongst the sadness and tragedy that we felt, this was the first time that I actually saw a smile on their faces. It's all to his presence and generosity. I can't thank him enough... It's amazing what he does for the Houston community."
— Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez
According to ABC 13, Dhaliwal, who practiced the Sikh religion, was one of the first deputies to wear a turban and a beard with his uniform.
The Houston Texans also held a moment of silence for the Dhaliwal family at Sunday's game.
This was a tragic loss to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, law enforcement, and the community, but thankfully there are people like Correa to help out during a time of need. It makes you want to support a player like him even more.
