Suspect pleads guilty to Terrell police officer’s murder
Killer gets life without parole for Terrell officer's death
A man who killed a Terrell police officer will spend the rest of his life in prison without parole after pleading guilty to the crime. FOX 4's Dionne Anglin has more on what the officer's family said after the sentencing.
TERRELL, Texas - A man charged with killing a police officer in Terrell entered a guilty plea in court on Wednesday.
What we know:
According to court documents, Darrian Cortez Johnson accepted a deal ahead of his capital murder trial for the death of Officer Jacob Candanoza.
Cortez Johnson pleaded guilty on Wednesday morning and was sentenced by a judge to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
He also waived the right to an appeal.
What they're saying:
No cameras were allowed inside the courtroom. However, FOX 4's Dionne Anglin said it was packed with members of Officer Candanoza's family, fellow officers, and friends.
Officer Candanoza's father addressed Johnson on the stand and told him he took a good man.
"I couldn’t just let him walk away and not hear from somebody," David Candanoza said.
"I’m really just looking at a monster to be honest with you. He is somebody who just did something horrible. And he’s just sitting there, now he’s gotta go think about that. I hope he lives to be 200 and just never gets out."
He told FOX 4 he just needed to get his thoughts off his chest so they wouldn't bother him in the future.
"I know he aint' ever getting out. He'll be there forever. I'm glad to see this part is over with, you know? The mourning, that never stops," David Candanoza said.
He said the world is a sadder place without his son in it.
"This man took another human‘s life. That’s gonna change their lives forever. It’ll change our community forever, change our department. There won’t be a day that we don’t remember that loss," Terrell Police Chief Arley Sansom said.
Man to get life sentences for Terrell officer's murder
The man who confessed to killing a police officer in Terrell will be sentenced on Wednesday. He's expected to receive life in prison.
The backstory:
Officer Candanoza died on Dec. 8, 2024 after he pulled over a pickup truck with an expired license plate in a motel parking lot off Highway 34 in Terrell.
Police said Cortez Johnson, who was the driver, shot Officer Candanoza several times in the head and face at close range.
Before he died at the hospital, Candanoza was able to give Cortez Johnson’s license plate number to other officers. They tracked down and arrested him a few hours later.
Terrell police officer shot and killed after pulling over truck with expired plates
Police say the officer pulled over a truck with expired license plates from Mississippi and called for cover. But before backup arrived, he was shot multiple times at close range.
Dig deeper:
Candanoza was a U.S. Marine veteran who went on to become a Dallas Sheriff’s deputy and then an officer with the Terrell Police Department. He was also a husband and father.
The city of Terrell has ensured that his legacy will live on by renaming a portion of Hwy. 34 in his honor.
Community honors fallen Terrell police officer Jacob Candanoza
The law enforcement family is also vowing to support Candanoza's wife and daughter he left behind. "We will love you with everything we have."
The Source: The information in this story comes from court documents and past news coverage.