Suspect Shot, Killed By Deputy In Rancho Mirage ID'd By Officials

RANCHO MIRAGE, CA — A man who authorities say was fatally shot after stabbing a Riverside County sheriff's deputy multiple times in the neck and head with a screwdriver in Rancho Mirage was publicly identified Monday as a 33-year-old Cathedral City resident.

The deputy was responding to a suspicious person call about 2:40 p.m. Aug. 7 in the 70000 block of Tamarisk Lane, near Palm View Road, when he encountered a man matching the suspect description, according to Sgt. Deanna Pecoraro.

Sheriff Chad Bianco wrote on his Facebook page that night that the deputy was responding to a call stemming from a "suspicious man trying to gain entry into a house" and was "immediately assaulted and stabbed multiple times," resulting in his hospitalization.

"He was able to remove himself from the attack long enough to draw his gun, stopping the attack and killing the suspect," Bianco wrote. "Thank God the deputy did exactly what he should have done under the circumstances."

The suspect, identified as Jeffery Monroy, was pronounced dead at the scene, and the screwdriver was located nearby, Pecoraro said.

The deputy, who was not identified, is recovering from his injuries, Pecoraro said.

Per the department's policy in shootings involving its personnel, the deputy was placed on administrative leave.

"We thank the community for all the support and positive thoughts that have been sent our way during this time," Pecoraro said.