Indian American Police Officer in California Dies From Injuries Suffered in Head-on Collision
- Harminder Grewal is being remembered as “a fast friend, a member of the department’s honor guard,” who “took pride in serving his community.”
Officer Harminder Grewal of the Galt Police Department in California, who was hospitalized after a head-on collision last weekend has died from his injuries, Galt Police Department said in a social media post.
Grewal and his partner Kapri Herrera were traveling on Aug. 22 to assist with the Caldor Fire when they were struck on Highway 99 by a Dodge Ram pickup truck driven by Manjot Singh Thind. The 25-year-old resident of Manteca died on the spot.
Both Grewal and Herrera suffered serious injuries and were rushed to the UC Davis Medical Center. Their patrol car was severely mangled in the crash. Grewal succumbed to his injuries, Aug. 26.
“Officer Grewal took pride in serving his community and his work ethic was contagious to all who worked with him,” read the Facebook post. “His service to our community will never be forgotten.”
Grewal, a 2 ½ year veteran of the department, is survived by his parents, brother “and a countless number of family, friends, and loved ones,” the department said. He was named the officer of the year in 2020, and was “a vital bridge to a community and always ready to serve. He made the ultimate sacrifice while performing his duties as a public servant, responding to danger.”
At a press conference on Aug. 27, Grewal’s colleagues at the department remembered him as a fast friend, a member of the department’s honor guard. “Officer Grewal made you feel like you knew him forever,” said Galt Police interim chief Rick Small. “People were just drawn to him. He drew people to him. That’s who he was.” Reflecting on Grewal’s loss on the department and the community, Small said: “The strength of his family has encouraged us. I don’t think this is something you get over, but it is something you honor and you heal over time.”