Suspect in Officer’s Shooting Was Let Out of Jail Early

LA HABRA — In an incident that has revived a debate over early jail releases, a man allegedly shot a police officer Friday morning during a thwarted vehicle burglary just two hours after he was released from jail, police said.

The suspect, identified by La Habra police as Steven Ray Waller of Lakewood, had been serving 10 days in the Orange County Jail in Santa Ana for petty theft but was released three days early because of overcrowding, officials said.

“It took him two hours to get up here, get a gun and do the shooting,” La Habra Police Capt. John Rees said. “It’s amazing.”

Waller, 21, was released at 2:30 a.m. Friday, Orange County sheriff’s officials said. At 4:30 a.m., police received a report that two men were trying to break into a pickup truck.

When Officer Michael Wissman, 31, arrived at the scene, both suspects fled on foot in different directions. Wissman pursued Waller, and shots were exchanged, police said. Wissman was struck in the leg, and Waller was hit in the arm, hand and chest.

The second suspect, identified by police as Waller’s cousin Richard Michael Cales, 22, was not involved in the shooting. He was arrested by another La Habra officer.

Wissman was in good condition at a hospital. Waller was in stable condition awaiting surgery.

Orange County has been struggling for more than two decades with jail overcrowding that has forced early releases. Sheriff Brad Gates said Friday’s shooting demonstrates the need for the county to build more jail space.