ROCKWALL, Texas — Thousands gathered for the funeral as a Terrell police officer who died in the line of duty earlier this month was laid to rest Tuesday.
Terrell Police Officer Jacob Candanoza, 28, was shot as he was conducting a traffic stop Dec. 8 in the 1600 block of S. State Highway 34 and later died, officials said.
Candanoza’s funeral was held at Lakepointe Church in Rockwall. Ahead of the funeral, there was a procession from the Terrell Police Department headquarters to the church.
The first speaker at the service noted Candanoza served as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps and had those in attendance acknowledge his service with a salute from his fellow veterans in the audience as others placed their hands over their hearts as the national anthem was played.
Jacob’s father, David, tearfully recalled the moment Jacob got his squad car and how he loved being a father.
“People have reached out from all over the planet to give their condolences and I’m so very grateful. Jacob absolutely loved being an officer for Terrell,” David said. “By absolute luck, I was driving through Terrell when he got his first squad car…the last picture I took of him was that moment.”
He also recalled Jacob visiting the rink where he spent his childhood and showing off his gear.
“Just a great son, great boy,” David said. “You have no idea how much I miss you.”
Jacob’s brother, Hawk, spoke through tears about Jacob’s importance to the family.
“His true measure wasn’t just in his procession, it was in his character,” “As a family, we were so proud of the man that he was….He was someone we could rely on.”
Hawk also read letters to Jacob and his wife and daughter.
“The impact you had on me was immeasurable. Growing up, all I wanted to do was be just like you,” Hawk said.
Terrell Police Chief Arley Sansom gave an emotional tribute to Candanoza, calling his death, “tragic, horrifying and life changing.”
“Where do you put this? How do you deal with this?” Sansom asked. “As difficult as this is and will continue to be…I want to talk about how this much contact can make this much difference. Relationships matter.”
“He shared himself with us. His family shared him with us,” he continued.
Candanoza’s friends Jonathan Lindo and David Luna, who were dubbed “the three musketeers’ with Candanoza, remembered fun times with their friend, who they met in the military.
“We hit it off, talking about our stories and adventures,” Lindo remembered. “From study sessions to birthdays…we were always doing life together….I will love you forever, until we meet again.”
“His ambition, his drive for policing was something I’d never seen before,” Luna said of Candanoza. “It is our responsibility to honor Jacob. To not let this discourage us from doing our duty.”
Lastly, a letter from his wife, Devon, was read to the attendees.
“You taught us what true, unconditional love was,” the letter said. “Thank you for always being our protector.”
Candanoza served as a member of the Terell Police Department since July 15, 2024. Prior to joining the Terrell Police Department, Candanoza served with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office.
The City of Terrell Municipal Court and Animal Control and Adoption Center were closed Tuesday in observance of the funeral, according to the city.