RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) — Community members and law enforcement colleagues are mourning the loss of Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Isaiah Corder, who was killed in the line of duty.
Loved ones brought flowers and candles in Cordera’s memory to a growing memorial for the beloved deputy at the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station on Friday — many hugging as they shed tears.
Area resident Alicia Caloca remembered Cordero as a cheerful person who was always smiling and seemed happy.
The popular lawmaker, 32, was shot and killed Thursday in the line of duty during a traffic stop. Shortly before 2 p.m., he stopped a truck in the Jurupa Valley. When he approached the vehicle, the driver pulled a gun and shot him, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said at a news conference Thursday evening.
A witness called 911 and residents tried to help Corder until paramedics arrived, but he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
A massive manhunt then began for the gunman, who was spotted in San Bernardino County, sparking a manhunt on highways in both counties. The spike strip disabled the two rear wheels, but the truck continued, the sheriff said.
News reports showed dozens of California Highway Patrol and sheriff’s department vehicles, including an armored SWAT vehicle, chasing the truck.
On Interstate 15 in Norco, the truck finally became disabled, lost its axle and crashed, Bianco said.
“At the end of the pursuit, the suspect fired a gun at the deputies” who returned fire, killing him, Bianco said.
The suspect, William Shae McKay, 44, of San Bernardino County, had a long and violent criminal history dating back to 2000 that included kidnappings, robberies and multiple arrests for assault with a deadly weapon, including a 2021 police chase in which The California Highway Patrol dog was stabbed by McKay’s alleged accomplice, the sheriff said.
William Shae McKay, 44, of San Bernardino County, is seen in an earlier booking photo released by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
According to Bianco, McKay was convicted last year of a “third strike” offense that would have sent him to state prison for 25 years to life in prison, but a San Bernardino County judge lowered his bail, allowing him to be released. later released. arrest for failure to appear at sentencing.
“He should be sentenced immediately to 25 years to life in prison,” Bianco said. “We wouldn’t be here today if the judge had done her job.” Bianca said.
Eyewitness News reached out to the court hearing the case, but officials declined to comment.
The Riverside Sheriff’s Association has set up a fund to help Corder’s family, which can be accessed at this link.
Caloca, who brought flowers to the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station Friday morning to honor Corder, believes the deputy’s death did not need to happen.
“It could have been prevented. It just makes you angrier and a little more upset about what the system can be,” she said.
El Monte police officers delivered breakfast to the sheriff’s station in Jurupa Valley. They understand the pain of this community.
“I felt like my heart dropped,” said Ruben Quintana with El Monte police.
In June, El Monte Police Sgt. Michael Paredes and Officer Joseph Santana were shot at a motel while investigating a crime.
“My heart goes out to them. If I had a magic wand I would wave it and go back in time. But unfortunately life doesn’t work that way. All I can do is offer my support as best I can,” Quintana said. “We mourn and mourn with them.”
Cordero was a motorcycle officer assigned to Jurupa Valley, a city that contracts with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for police services.
Cordero joined the 4,000-member department as a deputy jailer, worked in local jails, became a sworn deputy in 2018 and graduated from motorcycle school in September to become a motorcycle deputy, Bianco said.
Cordero “learned from his mother the value of service and helping others,” and his goal with the department was always to become a deputy motorcyclist, Bianco said.
“He was naturally drawn to law enforcement and certainly embodied our motto of service above self,” Bianco said. “He was the jokester at the station and all our MPs considered him their little brother.”
Hours after the shooting, dozens of motorcycle officers and patrol cars escorted the hearse carrying the deputy’s flag-draped casket from the hospital to the county coroner’s office.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
—-
¿Quieres leer este article en español? Click here
Copyright © 2022 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
