TERRELL, Texas — The funeral for Terrell Police Officer Jacob Candanoza will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at Lakepointe Church in Rockwall.
It’s the same church where services were held on Dec. 3 for Greenville Police Officer Cooper Dawson, who was also shot and killed in the line of duty.
Dawson died Nov. 26.
Candanoza died Dec. 9.
Both were 28 years old – and just days from their 29th birthdays.
Visitation for Candanoza will be at Max Slayton Funeral Chapel on N. Rockwall Street in Terrell on Monday, Dec. 16 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. He will be buried in a private ceremony.
Wednesday night, a grieving community gathered at the Terrell Police Department.
His father, David, choked back tears as he spoke at the candlelight vigil, sharing memories of the final conversation he had with his son.
“Just telling me how happy, how he loved his job,” he said. “He just loved y’all. You don’t even know.”
Just one day later, Jacob was gone.
“I miss you so much, boy,” he cried.
Tributes and condolences pour in after Officer Jacob Candanoza was killed while on duty
Candanoza had only been with the Terrell Police Department since July, but he left an impression on Chief Arley Sansom, who said he never saw his rookie without a smile and filled with enthusiasm.
Sansom had even nominated Candanoza for Rookie of the Year.
Candanoza was shot late Sunday night when he tried to pull over a vehicle with expired plates, police say.
The suspect, 25-year-old Darrian Johnson of Mississippi, led officers on a chase but was taken into custody.
Before joining Terrell PD, Candanoza was in the Marine Corps. He was also with the Dallas Co. Sheriff’s Department. Members of that force said he made them better officers.
“I could only wish to be anywhere near Candanoza,” said David Luna, an investigator with Dallas County.
Candanoza, Luna, and buddy Jonathan Lindo were the “three amigos,” Lindo said.
“We called him Candeezy.”
More important than being an officer, Candanoza was a father and a husband. His family knows they are now part of a new family, forever.
“I didn’t realize how long and how strong the blue line is,” said David Candanoza.
He cried as he revealed for the funeral, he made sure to get himself a blue tie.
“It’s the only way I can support that, you know,” he said.
Candanoza is the first Terrell Police officer killed in the line of duty since 1980.
His family requests contributions to a memorial fund for his wife and daughter in lieu of flowers. Christmas gifts for the little girl can also be dropped off at the Terrell Police Department, 1100 Highway 34 in Terrell.
