Funeral held for Riverside County deputy killed during traffic stop

On Friday was the funeral of Riverside County Deputy Sheriff Isaiah Cordero, who was fatally shot in a traffic stop on December 29.

The procession began at the Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer mortuary in Riverside, according to 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 thousands of viewers online and hundreds on the site

Mourners watched a slideshow of photos of Cordero from throughout his life, including one in uniform with other officers.

The grief program.

(Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)

During the service, Cordero’s mother, Rebecca, spoke through tears. “Our son is gone. We hurt so much,” she said. “We’re done with the stats and virtue signals,” she continued after claiming that “criminals [are] cared more than law enforcement officers.”

The rep’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 murder based on a previous felony conviction. Her comments received sustained applause.

Cordero’s supervisor, Jurupa Valley Station Captain Michael Koehler, made tearful remarks, and the deputy’s former colleague, Deputy Kenneth Shinn, shared stories of their time together. In the crowd sat rows of uniformed police officers.

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, according to Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.

Witnesses called 911 and Cordero was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

McKay led police on a freeway chase that culminated in a shootout that resulted in the gunman’s death.

A Riverside County legislator at the funeral.

(Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)

Cordero joined the department in 2014 and worked as a motorcycle officer. In September he completed his motorcycle training and was assigned to Jurupa Valley Station.

Echoing Cordero’s mother’s testimony, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said those not in uniform “need to speak up and demand more from our politicians, our legislators and our judges.”

Billy Morgan, a Vietnam War veteran and member of the Patriot Guard Riders, stands in respect before the motorcade escorting Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Isaiah Cordero.

(Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)