Community honors fallen Terrell police officer Jacob Candanoza
TERRELL, Texas - Fellow officers and members of the Terrell community gathered twice on Wednesday to honor an officer who was killed in the line of duty.
Police said Officer Jacob Candanoza was shot and killed after he pulled over a pickup truck on Sunday night in the Super 8 Motel parking lot.
Police procession
Fellow officers paid tribute to Officer Candanoza on Wednesday morning with a procession from Kaufman County to Dallas County.
Video from SKY 4 showed officers standing at attention and then saluting as Candanoza’s body was carried from the hearse into the funeral home.
What’s Next: The fallen officer’s funeral is expected to be next Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Lakepoint Church in Rockwall.
Candlelight Vigil
Heads bowed, flags were raised and candles were lit to mourn the loss of the Terrell officer in a Wednesday night vigil.
"I was so surprised to see so many people. I had my candle I didn't want to blow. I just wanted to keep it," said David Candanoza, the officer’s father. "I didn't realize how strong the blue is. For the funeral, I made sure to get a blue tie so I can support that."
The law enforcement family is also vowing to support Candanoza's wife and daughter he left behind.
"You are now our family, and we will love you with everything we have," said Terrell Police Officer Arley Sansom.
"It's just amazing the show of love that y'all have for my son. it's unbelievable," David said. "He just loved y'all. You don't even know. I miss you so much, my boy."
How You Can Help: The police department will be collecting gifts for Candanoza’s young daughter. People are asked to drop off gifts from Dec. 10-13 in the police station’s main lobby.
The Backstory
The deadly police shooting happened around 11 p.m. on Sunday as investigators said Officer Candanoza pulled over a pickup truck with expired license plates from Mississippi.
The officer called for cover before approaching the truck driven by Darrian Cortez Johnson in the motel parking lot off State Highway 34 near Interstate 20 in Terrell.
But before the backup could get there, police said Johnson shot the officer several times at very close range.
Terrell police officer shot and killed after pulling over truck with expired plates
Police say the officer pulled over a truck with expired license plates from Mississippi and called for cover. But before backup arrived, he was shot multiple times at close range.
"The officer was able to provide a license plate during the initial traffic stop," said Terrell Police Lt. Mary Hauger. "Off-duty officers along with Texas highway patrol located that vehicle and pursued it into Van Zandt County."
Deputies spotted the truck near the Kaufman and Van Zandt County line, starting a chase. They said Johnson eventually crashed the vehicle and ran into a wooded area.
Authorities captured Johnson around 5:30 a.m. after a seven-hour search.
Candanoza was taken to a hospital in Forney where he died from his injuries.
Who was Officer Jacob Candanoza?
Officer Jacob Candanoza (Source: Terrell Police Department)
Officer Candanoza would have turned 29 years old on Saturday.
He began his career in law enforcement with the Dallas County Sheriff's Office as a courtesy patrol officer before entering the academy in 2023. He joined the Terrell Police Department in July.
Candanoza was also a loving husband and the father of a young daughter.
What People Are Saying: Dozens of people have visited the Terrell police headquarters since the officer’s death to leave items at a memorial.
"What I’ve heard about is he was a great man and used to do the sirens for the kids and the lights for the children around that area. And he was a family man. I know that he had a little girl," said Britney Wade, who lives in Crandall and works in Terrell.
Candanoza is the first Terrell police officer killed in the line of duty since 1980.
Who is Darrian Johnson?
Officer Candanoza pulled the 25-year-old suspect over late Sunday because his Mississippi license plates were expired.
Johnson is reportedly from Mississippi, but his mother told FOX 4 he was trying to relocate.
His criminal history includes no violent offenses, only minor traffic violations.
However, Johnson’s arrest warrant affidavit says that during the traffic stop, he fired several shots at Officer Candanoza from a very close distance, hitting him in the head and chest.
Johnson is now being held in the Kaufman County jail for the capital murder of a peace officer.