Riverside County sheriff's deputy shot dead in Jurupa Valley; suspect killed after chase, shootout

A Riverside County sheriff's deputy was shot and killed Thursday in Jurupa Valley, the sheriff's department reported. A suspect was later shot and killed by police after a freeway chase and shootout.

The department identified the deputy as Isaiah Cordero, 32, who joined the department in 2014. He was fatally shot during a traffic stop at the 3900 block of Golden West Avenue in Jurupa Valley.

Sheriff Chad Bianco said during a press conference Thursday night that Cordero pulled over William Shae McKay, 44, just before 2 p.m.

"As he approached the vehicle, the suspect produced the gun and shot Deputy Cordero," Bianco said. "A community member who witnessed the shooting called 911. Our department, along with some allied agencies, responded immediately."

McKay was found in San Bernardino County, Bianco said, and officers then chased him on Interstate 15 and State Route 60. McKay's back tires were eventually damaged by a spike strip and his truck's axle failed, Bianco said, sending the vehicle sideways off the 15.

"The suspect fired rounds at the deputies," Bianco said. "At that point, deputies returned fire and the suspect was killed."

Earlier, Cordero was taken to Riverside Community Hospital and pronounced dead. Bianco said he is survived by his parents, stepbrother, girlfriend and other friends and family.

"I want to extend my sincere condolences to Deputy Cordero's loved ones," Bianco said. "Nothing is more heartbreaking than losing a son in a senseless manner when they are living their life for others, serving their community."

Cordero was hired as a correctional deputy and worked in three different county jails. He became a sworn patrol deputy in February 2018 and transferred to the Jurupa Valley station in 2020.

He had just joined the department's motorcycle unit. He completed training for the role in September, Bianco said, adding, "His goal from the day he was hired was to become a motor deputy."

A long procession of police cruisers and motorcycles accompanied the hearse carrying Cordero's body from Riverside Community Hospital to the sheriff's coroner's office in Perris early Thursday evening.

Bianco said McKay had an extensive criminal history dating back to before 2000, with convictions for kidnapping, assaults and other crimes. He said McKay had recently been convicted of his third strike, a series of felony convictions that typically result in a person being sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

"This terrible tragedy should have been prevented by the legal system," Bianco said.

Bianco said the San Bernardino County judge overseeing his case did not sentence McKay immediately and lowered his bail, allowing him to be released. McKay did not appear for a related sentencing hearing, Bianco said. And McKay was allowed to be released after another subsequent arrest.

"We would not be here today if the judge had done her job," Bianco said, declining to identify the judge when asked by reporters.

McKay was convicted of felony false imprisonment, evading a police officer, and making criminal threats in November 2021, San Bernardino County court records show.

Christopher Damien covers public safety and the criminal justice system. He can be reached at christopher.damien@desertsun.com or follow him at @chris_a_damien. Ani Gasparyan covers the western Coachella Valley cities of Desert Hot Springs and Cathedral City. Reach her at ani.gasparyan@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Riverside County sheriff's deputy shot dead; suspect killed after chase