Trump calls Indian-origin police officer killed in U.S. a national ‘hero’

Ronil “Ron” Singh, 33, was shot dead during a traffic stop on December 26 allegedly by an illegal immigrant

Anamika Singh, widow of slain Newman Police Cpl. Ronil "Ron" Singh, holds their 5-month-old child during her husband's funeral on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, in Modesto, California. According to authorities, prosecutors have charged Gustavo Perez Arriaga, who was in the United States illegally, with Singh's killing.

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday described as national “hero” Indian-origin policeman Ronil “Ron” Singh who was recently killed in California, saying America’s heart broke the day the young officer was “savagely murdered” in cold blood by an “illegal alien”.

Corporal Singh, 33, of the Newman Police Department was shot and killed during a traffic stop on December 26 allegedly by an illegal immigrant.

Trump spoke on Thursday with the family members and law enforcement colleagues of Singh, a native of Fiji who joined the force in July 2011.

“America’s heart broke the day after Christmas when a young police officer in California was savagely murdered in cold blood by an illegal alien (who) just came across the border. The life of an American hero was stolen by someone who had no right to be in our country,” Mr. Trump said.

The Californian police have arrested 33-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico identified as Gustavo Perez Arriaga on charges of killing Singh.

Wall along Mexico border

In his first address to the nation from the Oval Office, Mr. Trump made a case for building a wall along the Mexico border.

He said precious lives were cut short repeatedly by those who have violated the borders.

“In California, an air force veteran was raped, murdered, and beaten to death with a hammer by an illegal alien with a long criminal history. In Georgia an illegal alien was recently charged with murder for killing, beheading and dismembering his neighbour.

“In Maryland, MS-13 gang members who arrived in the United States as unaccompanied minors were arrested and charged last year after viciously stabbing and beating a 16-year-old,” he said.

Mr. Trump said over the last several years, he has met with dozens of families whose loved ones were killed by illegal immigration.

“I’ve held the hands of the weeping mothers and embraced the grief-stricken fathers. So sad. So terrible. I will never forget the pain in their eyes, the tremble in their voices and the sadness gripping there. So how much more American blood must we shed before Congress does its job,” he said.

“This is a choice between right and wrong; justice and injustice. This is about whether we fulfil our sacred duty to the American citizens we serve,” Mr. Trump said.