Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Jesus Cordova was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a carjacking suspect in the 2900 block of North Grand Avenue at approximately 2:45 pm.
The subject had carjacked a vehicle in Patagonia and fled from Santa Cruz County deputies into Nogales, where he attempted to carjack another vehicle. Nogales officers had responded to the attempted carjacking and located the suspect inside of a car. As officers attempted a traffic stop, the man exited the vehicle and opened fire on Officer Cordova, who was still in his vehicle. Officer Cordova was struck multiple times.
Officer Cordova was flown to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
The man then fled the scene and carjacked a third vehicle. He was located a short time later and taken into custody. The man pleaded guilty to 39 charges, including first-degree murder, in August 2019. A month later he was sentenced to life without parole.
Officer Cordova had served with the Nogales Police Department for one year and had previously served with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office for 10 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his three children and expectant fiancee.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AZ-201CB145- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Cordova gave the Nogales Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nogales community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Cordova.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Jesus Manuel "Chuy" Cordova is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In AZ, 204 of 330 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.8% of this state's fallen. That is 7.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Nogales Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jesus Manuel "Chuy" Cordova's cause is highlighted.
How Jesus Manuel "Chuy" Cordova Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jesus Manuel "Chuy" Cordova is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jesus Manuel "Chuy" Cordova was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Nogales Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
