Rancho Mirage, California — A jury has awarded $13.1 million to the family of a man who was fatally shot by a Riverside County sheriff’s deputy during a 2020 confrontation in the Coachella Valley, marking the largest excessive force verdict ever against Riverside County, according to attorneys for the family.
The civil verdict stems from the death of 33-year-old Jeffrey Alexander Monroy, who was shot multiple times by a sheriff’s deputy after an altercation in an upscale Rancho Mirage neighborhood.
Incident began with suspicious person call
The shooting occurred on August 7, 2020, after residents in the Tamarisk Lane area reported a suspicious individual walking through the neighborhood. Monroy, who worked for his father’s pool service business, was reportedly looking for a phone so he could contact his brother for a ride home.
According to attorneys representing Monroy’s parents, his brother arrived at the scene at the same time as the deputy, identified in court records as Cpl. Ruben Perez of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
Altercation escalated during mental health crisis
Family attorneys said Monroy was experiencing a mental health crisis when he became involved in a physical struggle with the deputy. During the confrontation, Monroy stabbed the deputy multiple times with a screwdriver, authorities confirmed.
Court testimony indicated that Monroy’s brother attempted to intervene, pulling him roughly 20 feet away from the deputy in an effort to calm the situation.
Deputy opened fire as Monroy fled, attorneys say
According to the family’s legal team, Cpl. Perez opened fire without issuing a verbal warning or command, striking Monroy as he ran away.
Of the nine shots fired, five struck Monroy, including three in the back and two in the side, attorneys said. Monroy was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sheriff officials later acknowledged that the deputy’s body-worn camera deactivated during the incident, capturing only a few seconds of footage.
Sheriff’s account disputed by family attorneys
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said at the time that witness statements indicated the deputy had retreated and attempted to shield himself while being stabbed, and that Monroy advanced again after briefly being pulled away.
However, attorneys for Monroy’s family argued the shooting was unjustified, stating Monroy was not suspected of a crime, was mentally ill, and was moving away from the deputy when shots were fired.
They also criticized the lack of body camera footage, calling it a key failure in transparency.
Lawsuit alleged excessive force and civil rights violations
The family filed a federal lawsuit in 2021, accusing Riverside County, the sheriff, and the deputy of:
- Excessive force
- Wrongful death
- Unreasonable search and seizure
- Civil rights violations
- Negligence and assault
The case went to trial after years of litigation. According to the verdict, the jury assigned 70% fault to the deputy and 30% fault to Monroy.
Breakdown of the $13.1 million award
Attorneys for the family said the award includes:
- $9 million for wrongful death damages
- $4 million for loss of life
- $100,000 for pre-death pain and suffering
They stated the verdict represents a landmark ruling for police accountability in the county.
Family calls verdict a step toward justice
Monroy’s family said the verdict brings a measure of accountability, though it cannot replace their loss. Attorneys criticized what they described as a culture within the sheriff’s department that discouraged accountability for use-of-force incidents.
Riverside County officials have not yet announced whether they plan to appeal the verdict.
Case draws renewed focus on mental health encounters
The case has reignited debate over how law enforcement responds to mental health crises, particularly when individuals are not suspected of committing crimes.
Advocates say the verdict highlights the need for improved crisis response training and stronger safeguards during deputy-involved encounters.
What are your thoughts on this verdict and how police handle mental health crises? Share your opinion in the comments below.
