TERRELL — A North Texas community mourned fallen Terrell Police Officer Jacob Candanosa on Wednesday.
Members of law enforcement stood in salute as his flag-draped casket was returned to Terrell in the morning. Hundreds of law enforcement officers escorted his body from the Dallas coroner’s office to Terrell’s funeral home.
Officer Candanoza was shot during a traffic stop late Sunday night and later died. His death marks the fourth death in the line of duty for North Texas police in four months. The U.S. Marine Corps and Midlothian High School veteran joined the Terrell Police Department in July. He is survived by his wife, 5-year-old daughter, brother, and parents.
David Candanoza, owner of the Cedar Hill Roller Rink where Jacob grew up, is still dealing with the loss of his son and wants the community to remember him as a generous and kind man.
“Jacob, I started skating here when I was 5 years old and was probably a professional by the time I was 6,” David Candanoza said.
Candanoza said the roller rink became a safe place for Jacob.
“He and his brother Hawk were like the Twinkies. They were phenomenal skaters, great skaters, and they played tag,” Candanoza said. “I probably spent more time here than I did at home.”
Officer Candanoza spent this Sunday at the rink. This was the last time David would see his son. That night, David received a call from his wife.
“When I answered the phone, I already felt something bad in my heart. She was crying and I couldn’t hear all the words, but I could hear the word ‘killed’,” Candanoza said. said.
David was then rushed to the hospital.
“We were sitting there and it felt like the lights flickered on and then it got a little bit brighter and one of the officers said, ‘What was that?’ I looked at him. And I said, ‘Jacob was just getting his wings out there,”’ Candanoza said.
David is coming to terms with the loss of his eldest son. The last photo he took of Jacob was on Nov. 9 when he showed him a police car.
“I still can’t believe I can’t talk to him, but in my heart I will. I just want to see him, give him a hug, and give him a pat on the back,” Candanoza said. “It’s hard to imagine. I don’t understand why we can’t do that anymore.”
Officer Candanoza’s uncle provided CBS News Texas with a video of the procession ending at the funeral home this morning as the family bids an unexpected and sad farewell.
“Losing a child is the most painful thing you can imagine. I never thought it would hurt this much,” Candanoza said.
Officer Candanoza would have turned 29 years old this Saturday. His funeral will be held next week.
