Salem Man Sentenced To Over 63 Years In Prison For Ambush And Attempted Murder Of Polk County Deputy Sheriff That Left One Dead. -06/26/25

DALLAS (OR) – Jose Manuel Corral-Zavala, 22, was sentenced today by Judge Monte S. Campbell to serve 765 months (63.75 years) in prison for attempting to murder a deputy sheriff, firing upon multiple other law enforcement officers, causing the death of a criminal accomplice, and causing over the $190,000 of damage to a West Salem residence.

 

Corral-Zavala, of Salem, was found guilty by Judge Campbell, after a three day trial held last week in Polk County Circuit Court of Attempted Aggravated Murder, Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Assault in the First Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon (9 counts), Assault on a Public Safety Officer, Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, and Reckless Endangering (10 Counts).

 

The incident began on September 30, 2023 at approximately 1:30 a.m., when Corral-Zavala failed to obey a stop sign and led police on a high speed chase down Highways 51 and 22. Ultimately, Corral-Zavala dumped his vehicle, on the shoulder of Highway 22 and fled with a loaded Glock pistol into the dense brush on the hillside overlooking the roadway. As he observed law enforcement gathered to investigate his abandoned vehicle and begin their search for him, Corral-Zavala called to an associate who was in Independence to come to the location to pick him up so he could escape capture. Once he saw his ride arrive, Corral-Zavala began making his way down to the road, determined to get to the waiting get-away vehicle and avoid being taken into custody by any means necessary. In this case, it meant firing at the group of Salem police officers and Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies standing just a few hundred feet away.

 

Closest to Corral-Zavala was Deputy Sheriff Michael Smith who stood approximately 20 feet from him. Smith, completely exposed, was wounded and had no choice but to engage and return fire in self-defense. Corral Zavala continued to shoot at Smith and the other officers as he ran across all lanes of the highway to the waiting vehicle. However, the driver, who Corral-Zavala had called to the scene of his ambush had been struck by a bullet in the cross-fire and later died. Corral-Zavala then manipulated the still running vehicle from the passenger side a short distance before crashing it directly into the front of a private residence in which the homeowners had been sleeping. They were, fortunately, unhurt.

 

After the sentencing, Polk County Chief Deputy District Attorney Matt Wilson commented, “We completely agree with Judge Campbell’s characterization of Mr. Corral-Zavala’s act as an ‘ambush’ on law enforcement. Today’s sentence holds Mr. Corral-Zavala accountable for trying to take the life of Deputy Smith as well as endangering the lives of every other officer, deputy, and civilian that was out there that night. It also rightfully holds Mr. Corral-Zavala accountable for the tragic death of Mr. Isaac Oceguedo.”

 

Because this matter involved the use of deadly force by Polk County law enforcement officers, it was reviewed by the Polk County Grand Jury in 2023. The Grand Jury reviewed the actions of Deputy Smith and all involved law enforcement. The Grand Jury unanimously returned a not true bill regarding the use of deadly force by Deputy Smith and concluded it was a lawful act of self-defense. The Grand Jury subsequently issued the Indictment against Mr. Corral-Zavala which resulted in his convictions and sentence.

 

The case was investigated by the Oregon State Police, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office the Salem Police Department, the Independence Police Department, and the Keizer Police Department It was prosecuted and tried by Polk County Chief Deputy District Attorney Matt Wilson