Galt Police Officer Harminder Grewal, killed in Highway 99 crash, honored at funeral
Galt Police Officer Harminder Grewal was remembered Monday as a devoted man to his family and Sikh faith, always representing his community through his law enforcement career with distinction and respect.
Grewal, who died in the line of duty of days after a collision last month on Highway 99, was remembered by his fellow police officers as a supportive yet playful co-worker who brought together the Police Department with his strong work ethic and dry wit, permeating each room he walked into with his infectious smile and a high-pitched laugh.
“Harminder was a bright light in what can be a very dark world,” Galt Police Chief Rick Small said during Monday’s funeral service at Bayside Church’s Adventure Campus in Roseville as family, friends and law enforcement personnel from throughout the Sacramento region gathered to honor Grewal.
Grewal, 27, was killed last month in a head-on vehicle crash. The officer was on-duty when the crash occurred Aug. 22 on Highway 99, near Dillard Road just south of Elk Grove. Grewal and his partner, Officer Kapri Herrera, were on their way to work at the Caldor Fire burning in El Dorado County as part of the state’s mutual aid program.
Grewal died from his injuries at a hospital four days after the crash. Herrera suffered serious injuries in the crash and was in an intensive care unit until she was released from the hospital Sept. 3.
Amid a sea of Northern California law enforcement personnel, Small thanked members of his department for honoring Grewal’s legacy with their hard work while struggling with the grief of this death. He also thanked Herrera, who was in attendance while still in recovery.
“Thank you for your sacrifice and service to the community and for the strength and resilience you have shown during your recovery. We’re all very glad to see you here today,” Small told Herrera in the audience.
Small spoke of one Grewal’s recollection of his family arrival in the United States after immigrating from India in 2012. Grewal spotted an American police officer at the airport. He initially was shocked when the officer smiled at him and talked to his family, because Grewal feared the officer would judge them because of their culture and accents.
“But that was not the case, rather, the officer was welcoming and helpful, and this interaction had a significant impact on him and contributed to his desire to become a police officer,” Small said.
Accomplishments and hopes to join FBI
Grewal started his law enforcement career working as an officer for the Modesto Police Department in February 2018 and later at the Lodi Police Department.
He had worked at the Galt Police Department for 2½ years, starting in the patrol division. He was also a member of the department’s honor guard, and he was treasurer for the Galt Police Officer’s Association.
Grewal was selected by his peers in 2020 as the department’s Officer of the Year for his worth ethic, integrity and inspiration for others to perform at the highest levels. That same year, he was given a Mothers Against Drunk Driving award based on the number of driving under the influence arrests he had made.
Grewal had recently been selected to join the department’s traffic unit as a motorcycle officer and was scheduled to begin his training. His family says Grewal was three classes shy of earning a bachelor’s degree in hopes of one day working for the FBI.
Fellow police officers remembered Grewal for a remarkably dry sense of humor that he was slow to share; but it turned out to be one of the most endearing qualities. They recalled one-liners he muttered under his breath, or how he would smirk to others as he was about to give someone a hard time.
He helped create weekly rituals that brought together members of the Police Department. Those rituals included “Dutch Bros. (coffee) Wednesdays” with dispatchers, “Shift Family Dinner” on Thursdays and, most recently, “Oreo-Shake Fridays” with Herrera and a graveyard-shift dispatcher.
Police chief says words fail to express grief
“This is a time of sorrow that proves words are insufficient to express how we’re feeling,” Chief Small said. “However, even in the midst of this sorrow, there are no sufficient words to express are thankfulness of the life well-lived and proud legacy left by Officer Grewal.”
He said stories and memories of Grewal fill those gaps when words fail. While talking to officers at the department about Grewal, Small said themes emerged, including his love for family and faith, and his commitment to colleagues and his chosen profession.
Grewal proudly wore his turban as part of his uniform out of respect for his family and beliefs, Small said, and he chose to live close to his parents to ensure they were being well taken care of. He also said Grewal spoke proudly about his family and upbringing to his fellow officers.
A memorial fund for Grewal’s family was established through the California Association of Highway Patrolmen Credit Union. “Officer Grewal was an invaluable member of the Galt community and his passing leaves a void which cannot be filled,” reads the message announcing the memorial fund.
“Thank you for letting us stand by you through these difficult days, and please know that we will continue to stand with you as long as you will allow us,” Small told Grewal’s family. “Our lives will be forever entwined through Harim and the memory of his sacrifice.”
Following Monday’s services, a funeral procession led to a private family gathering in Lodi. Because of the long drive, the procession only included Galt Police Department personnel and the Grewal’s family.
This story was originally published September 13, 2021 at 9:38 AM.
