Police department suffers back to back losses with an officer gunned down and a tragic K-9 death | Law Enforcement Today

TERRELL, TX - The Terrell Police Department has suffered one loss after another this week first with the fatal shooting of Officer Jacob Candanoza, 28, allegedly by a 25-year-old Mississippi man, Darrian Cortez Johnson during a traffic stop, followed by the tragic loss of a K-9 Officer.

According to CBS News, Officer Candanoza engaged the suspect in a traffic stop at approximately 11:00 p.m. on Sunday near the intersection of I-20 and Highway 34. Reportedly Candanoza called for a cover unit to support him and was not heard from again on radio. The next communication the department received about him was a series of calls to 911 and a radio transmission via CB reporting an officer down.

Both the Terrell Fire Department and CareFlite responded to the scene and the stricken officer was transported to nearby Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Forney, TX. He succumbed to his injuries overnight.

Approximately seven hours after the initial traffic stop, the suspect was located and placed under arrest after an extensive manhunt according to the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office. He was located approximately 30 miles east of Terrell at an RV Park in Canton.

The outlet reported that Johnson has been charged with capital murder of a peace officer or fireman. 

Fox 4 reported via X that Candanoza leaves behind a wife and a young child.

#UPDATE We've learned the Terrell Police officer has died after being shot overnight. He leaves behind a wife and young child. @TisiaMuzinga live on scene with the latest @GoodDayFox4 @FOX4 pic.twitter.com/0XDKNOik8R

— FOX4Terry (@FOX4Terry) December 9, 2024

Authorities were able to track the suspect thanks to Candanoza running the license plate before he was shot police said. A gray truck police believe was involved in the incident is in police custody.

"Understand this is an extremely difficult time for all of us," Terrell Police Chief Arley Sansom told reporters Monday. Candanoza had joined the force just five months ago.

🔹Blessed Are The Peacemakers 🔹

Police Officer Jacob Candanoza
Terrell Police Department, Texas
EOW: Monday, December 9, 2024#EnoughlsEnough #OfficerDown #EOW #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/9VJJLDsqXE

— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) December 9, 2024

Amidst the department’s mourning for Officer Candanoza, another tragedy struck according to Fox 4 News on Sunday when K-9 Officer Max was diagnosed with a non-survivable illness and the heartbreaking decision was made to let Max pass away peacefully.