A man has been charged with capital murder of a peace officer for killing a Terrell Police officer Sunday night. They say Officer Jacob Candanoza tried to make a traffic stop along Highway 34, just north of I-20, about 11 p.m.
Police said Candanoza asked for a cover unit.
"We started receiving 911 calls saying the officer had been shot," Lt. Mary Hauger said. "A citizen had used his radio and stated the same information that an officer had been shot."
Hauger said paramedics took Candanoza to Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Forney, where he later died from his injuries. Candanoza was 28 years old and had joined the department in July.
"We will give additional information as it becomes available. Just understand it is an extremely difficult time for all of us," Terrell Police Chief Arley Sansom said.
Sansom said Candanoza had given dispatch the other car's license plate before the shooting, so police and state troopers found the car, leading a chase into neighboring Van Zandt County.
About 5:30 a.m., they arrested Darrian Cortez Johnson, 25, at an RV park in Canton. He was booked into the Kaufman County Jail on a charge of capital murder of a peace officer. Texas Rangers are leading the investigation.
Monday morning, Terrell Police parked Candanoza's squad car outside police headquarters along with a wreath with his name and badge number. The department is inviting people to leave notes, flowers or other well-wishes for Candanoza, his family and other officers.
There will be a vigil for Candanoza outside the Terrell Police Department on Wednesday at 6 p.m. He was the first officer in the city to be killed in the line of duty since 1980.
"It's just so unnecessary, no matter what the crime is, just taking a life," one man who stopped by said. "They're out there protecting us."
He says he wants to show other officers they are not taken for granted.
Officers from other departments have been stopping by with flowers and cards as well.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube