Funeral services were held Friday for Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Isaiah Cordero, who was fatally shot Dec. 29 during a traffic stop.
The procession began on the Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary in Riverside, in accordance with the Sheriff’s Department. Services were held at Harvest Christian Fellowship Church and streamed on the Riverside County Sheriff’s Facebook and YouTube pages, with 1000’s of viewers online and tons of on the
Mourners watched a slideshow of photos of Cordero from throughout his life, including one in uniform with fellow officers.
In the course of the service, Cordero’s mother, Rebecca, spoke through tears. “Our son is gone. We hurt a lot,” she said. “We’re done with the statistics and virtue signaling,” she continued, after claiming that “criminals [are] cared for greater than law enforcement officers.”
The deputy’s mother called for the resignation of Superior Court Judge Cara D. Hutson, who delayed sentencing and reduced bail for the suspect in Cordero’s slaying on a previous felony conviction. Her comments received sustained applause.
Cordero’s superior, Jurupa Valley Station Captain Michael Koehler, gave tearful remarks, and the deputy’s former colleague Deputy Kenneth Shinn relayed stories from their days together. In the group sat rows of law enforcement officials in uniform.
Cordero, 32, was conducting a traffic stop in Jurupa Valley when William Shea McKay, 44, pulled out a gun and shot him as he approached, in accordance with Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.
Witnesses called 911, and Cordero was transported to the Riverside Community Hospital, where he died from his injuries.
McKay led police on a freeway chase that culminated in a shootout that resulted within the gunman’s death.
Cordero joined the department in 2014 and worked as a bike officer. He accomplished his motorcycle training in September and was assigned to the Jurupa Valley Station.
Echoing the statement by Cordero’s mother, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said those not in uniform “must speak up and demand higher from our flesh pressers, our lawmakers and our judges.”