A man charged with the murder of a police officer in Terrell is set to enter a guilty plea in court on Wednesday. Darrian Cortez Johnson, who confessed to the killing, is anticipated to receive a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Johnson is expected to plead guilty to the capital murder of Officer Jacob Candanoza, who was fatally shot in December 2024 while attempting to pull Johnson over for driving a vehicle with expired license plates. Prior to his death, Officer Candanoza managed to relay Johnson’s license plate number to fellow officers, which aided in Johnson’s arrest a few hours later.
During the incident, Johnson allegedly shot Officer Candanoza multiple times at close range as the officer approached him in a motel parking lot off Highway 34. The courtroom will be closed to cameras during the proceedings.
Officer Candanoza, a U.S. Marine veteran who served as a Dallas Sheriff’s deputy before joining the Terrell Police Department, tragically left behind a wife and child. In a tribute to his service, the city of Terrell has renamed a section of Highway 34 in his honor, ensuring that his legacy will endure.
The law enforcement community has promised to support Candanoza’s family, vowing to provide love and assistance to his widow and daughter.
