The man who admitted to killing a Terrell police officer during a traffic stop in 2024 was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

A Kaufman County judge handed down the sentence to Darrian Johnson within minutes of his court appearance, after he pleaded guilty to the fatal shooting of Officer Jacob Candanoza.

On Dec. 8, 2024, Johnson shot Candanoza several times during a traffic stop off Highway 34 in Terrell and fled the scene, authorities said.

According to Terrell Police at the time, Candanoza gave the responding officers the suspect’s license plate information, which helped in the investigation. Off-duty officers and Texas state troopers later spotted the vehicle in the Canton area in Van Zandt County, about 30 miles east of Terrell and eventually caught Johnson and charged him with capital murder.

The case was resolved nearly two years later without a trial because Johnson filed a guilty plea.

Cameras were not allowed inside the courtroom on Wednesday, but family members of the fallen officer addressed Johnson during victim impact statements.

“I don’t even think you realize what a horrible thing you did,” Candanoza’s father, David Candanoza, told Johnson. “I hope you have a long time in there to think about it.”

Candanoza’s family said they were relieved to avoid a lengthy trial that would have forced them to relive the loss. It was also the first time they came face-to-face with Johnson since the shooting.

“Really just looking at a monster, to be honest with you,” David Candanoza told NBC 5 after the sentencing. “He did something horrible, and he’s just sitting there. Now he’s got to go think about that. I hope you live to be 200 [years old]. Just never get out.”

Officer Candanoza, who served with the Terrell Police Department, was early in his law enforcement career. He was also a husband, father, and son. He was killed in the line of duty just days before his 29th birthday.

Terrell Police Chief Arley Sansom was visibly overcome with emotion while speaking with the media outside the courtroom.

“It’ll change our community forever,” Sansom said. “It’ll change our department forever. There won’t be a day we don’t remember that loss.”

Candanoza’s family said their focus now is on preserving his legacy. In a recent feature with NBC 5, they showed a memorial they are creating for him and an effort to collect police patches from departments across the country to place inside “Jacob’s Box.”

If you would like to send a patch for the box, please mail it to:

ATTN: David Candanoza
Cedar Hill Roller Rink
202 N Main St
Cedar Hill, TX 75104