The Riverside County Sheriff's Department is saddened to announce the death of Deputy Isaiah Cordero, most recently assigned to the Jurupa Valley Station, for whom funeral services will be held on Friday, Jan. 6.
On Dec. 29, Cordero received a fatal gunshot wound during a traffic stop and was transported to a local hospital, where the 32-year-old was pronounced deceased upon arrival. The suspect behind the shooting, convicted felon William Shae McKay, was killed during a vehicle pursuit.
"This terrible tragedy should have been prevented by the legal system," Sheriff Chad Bianco said during a news conference Thursday as reported by Los Angeles Times. "McKay has an extensive, violent past and was convicted of his third strike in November of 2021. Instead of sentencing him to 25 years to life, which should have happened, the judge lowered his bail, allowing him to be released."
Meanwhile, several area law-enforcement agencies have issued statements honoring Cordero and expressing their condolences.
On Facebook, Desert Hot Springs Police Department posted: "The Desert Hot Springs Police Department is mourning the loss of a Riverside County sheriff's deputy who was shot and killed today during a traffic stop in Jurupa Valley. Our thoughts, prayers and support are with the Riverside County Sheriff's Office and the fallen deputy’s family."
Indio Police Department posted on Facebook: "On behalf of everyone at the Indio Police Department, we send our thoughts and prayers to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for the loss of one of their deputies who was shot and killed today during a traffic stop. We stand with you during this difficult time."
The services for Cordero are scheduled to begin 11 a.m. Friday at the Harvest Christian Fellowship Church, 6115 Arlington Avenue in Riverside, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.
Cordero began work with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department on May 5, 2014, as a correctional deputy. He worked at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility and the Indio Jail. In February 2018, Cordero was promoted to deputy sheriff and worked at the Robert Presley Detention Center and the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility. He was then transferred to his most recent assignment at the Jurupa Valley Station. Cordero had completed Motor School this past September and was working traffic enforcement as a motor deputy at the time of his death.
The tragic events that led to Cordero's demise are recounted in an initial incident report by Sgt. Wenndy Brito-Gonzalez, which details how community members from the 3900 block of Golden West Avenue had reported the injury of a motorcycle deputy. Responding deputies located 32-year-old Cordero suffering from a gunshot wound that would become fatal. The deputy was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Following the shooting, law enforcement agencies in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties began a manhunt for the suspect who was identified as McKay, age 44. According Brito-Gonzalez's report, McKay was located in San Bernardino County and a vehicle pursuit ensued.
McKay was followed back to Riverside County, at which time his vehicle's tires were disabled with a tire deflation device. McKay began shooting at deputies, who in turn returned fire. Following a single-vehicle crash, McKay was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Los Angeles Times, McKay should have been incarcerated due to the state's "three strikes" law after a recent felony conviction. However, he was released on bail while his case was pending. McKay's criminal history dates back to the 1990s and included violent offenses such as kidnapping, robbery and multiple assaults with deadly weapons.