On December 8, 2024, at approximately 11 p.m., 28-year-old Terrell Police Officer Jacob Candanoza initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of I-20 and Highway 34 in Terrell, Texas. During the stop, he requested backup, and shortly thereafter, 911 calls reported an officer being shot. Officer Candanoza was found with gunshot wounds and was transported to Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Forney, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Darrian Cortez Johnson from Mississippi, fled the scene in his vehicle. Using the license plate information provided by Officer Candanoza, law enforcement agencies initiated a search. Johnson was apprehended after a pursuit and taken into custody at the Mill Creek Ranch Resort in Canton, approximately 30 miles east of Terrell. He has been charged with capital murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Officer Candanoza.
Officer Candanoza had been with the Terrell Police Department since July 2024. Prior to his service in Terrell, he served in the United States Marine Corps from 2014 to 2019 and later worked with the Dallas County Sheriff's Office. He is survived by his wife and child.
The tragic incident has deeply affected the Terrell community and law enforcement agencies across North Texas. A funeral service was held to honor Officer Candanoza's service and sacrifice.
