Thousands of family, friends and law enforcement brethren paid their respects to slain Riverside County sheriff’s motorcycle Deputy Isaiah Cordero at his funeral Friday, Jan. 6.
The celebration of life at Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside — which began with an acoustic rendition of “Amazing Grace” and ended with a version played on the bagpipes — drew local officers and those from as far east as New York City and Florida.
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“We’re here to support our brother families in law enforcement,” New York City Sgt. Ricardo Montilla said as officers assembled outside the Arlington Avenue church ahead of the service.
“We’re here to show the whole nation that all police forces are one family.”
Rebecca Cordero, the fallen deputy’s mother, followed a slideshow presentation filled with photos of her son’s 32 years by speaking of her baby boy’s selflessness and determination.
“You fought the good fight,” she said through tears.
“Isaiah,” she added, “we will never know the extent of the evil your traffic stop prevented. You never asked for heroism, but we promise that by God’s grace your name will forever be attributed to your heartfelt action.”
Nicknamed “El Nene,” or baby boy in English, Isaiah Cordero was “quiet, polite and humble,” according to the funeral program. The boy inherited his father’s love of cars and motorcycles, and developed a lifelong closeness with his older brother.
As an uncle, Cordero “was often found tickling (his nephews) to obliteration,” the program read.
He drove a 1966 white Ford Mustang in his younger years and started a punk rock band, the Fleas, while at Cajon High School in San Bernardino. His group practiced in the Cordero family garage and played gigs around the area.
On Friday, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco followed Cordero’s grieving mother by calling the slain deputy “a good man who was tragically taken from us far too early in what was sure to be a promising career.”
Bianco implored his colleagues to not allow Cordero’s death be in vain.
“We must never be afraid to pursue justice,” he added. “We know there is evil lurking in the shadows. We must continue to seek to fight and destroy it.”
Deputy Kenneth Shinn, Cordero’s motorcycle partner, called his close friend “the best of us.”
“Keep up what you’re doing,” Shinn told his law enforcement brethren. “Do not let this stop you. (Cordero) would not want you to do that.”
Harvest Pastor Greg Laurie concluded the funeral by saying Friday was not a goodbye, but a “see you later.”
The Sheriff’s Department then played an End of Watch broadcast for Cordero.
A 2-mile procession from Acheson & Graham Mortuary ended at Harvest for the funeral.
Scores of people lined the route to honor the fallen officer.
“It’s a tragedy that was so close to home,” said Ana Ariza, who stood outside the old Sears building at Arlington and California avenues as the cavalcade passed.
“It made us realize that life is short and we have to value it.”
Cordero, 32, was shot to death during a Dec. 29 traffic stop as he walked to a black pickup on Condor Drive at about 1:45 p.m. in the Rubidoux neighborhood of Jurupa Valley.
Residents of that street rushed to Cordero’s aid, but he was pronounced dead at Riverside Community Hospital.
Witnesses and license plate reading cameras helped deputies quickly identify the suspect vehicle as well as the driver. Deputies found 44-year-old William Shae McKay behind the wheel in San Bernardino County and pursued him up and down the 15 Freeway, back and forth on the 60 and finally back down the 15, where he crashed in Norco.
McKay, a two-strike convict who had a warrant out for his arrest for skipping bail in his latest felony case, died in a gun battle with officers, Bianco said.
People who Cordero met as he patrolled Jurupa Valley on his motorcycle described him as an upbeat, considerate person who enjoyed engaging with children. One year he handed out Christmas presents to children from the back of his patrol car.
Another time he escorted Santa Claus to the home of a woman whose husband had recently died.
Cordero inspired his cousin, David Padilla, to continue to pursue a career in law enforcement despite some setbacks. Padilla is now a San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy.
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Officers in attendance Friday wore black bands over their badges – some with Cordero’s badge number, 5662.
Anaheim Sgt. Joe Atkinson, a fellow motorcycle officer who attended Cordero’s funeral, said he Friday that he feels exposed during traffic stops, but even officers in patrol cars feel the same way when they are away from their cars.
Officers relay on their training to stay safe, he added.
“But then you have to trust the good faith of humanity,” Atkinson continued. “Fortunately, most people are good.
“Unfortunately, this one,” he said, referring to McKay, “wasn’t.”
After the service, a riderless horse was led through a saluting honor guard, followed by Cordero’s casket and family.
A formation of helicopters flew overhead, with one peeling off in a missing-man formation.
Staff writer Monserrat Solis contributed to this report.