Several North Texas first responders received Star of Texas Awards on Sept. 11, 2026, in recognition of service and sacrifice while working in the line of duty. Gov. Greg Abbott presented the awards.
Terrell police officer Jacob Candanoza, who died during a traffic stop in 2024, was honored posthumously. Candanoza’s family accepted the award with members of the Terrell Police Department.
Candanoza was shot multiple times on Dec. 8, 2024, during a traffic stop near Highway 34 in Terrell, authorities said. The suspect, Darrian Johnson, left the scene. Candanoza provided responding officers with the vehicle’s license plate information, which assisted the investigation, according to Terrell police at the time.
Off-duty officers and Texas state troopers later located the vehicle near Canton in Van Zandt County, about 30 miles east of Terrell. Johnson was arrested and charged with capital murder. He later pleaded guilty to killing Candanoza and received a life sentence without parole from a Kaufman County judge. The case ended without a trial.
Fort Worth firefighter Caleb Halvorson was also recognized. He spent 34 days hospitalized after a burning building’s roof collapsed on Sept. 3, 2025, trapping him beneath debris. Halvorson was flown to Parkland Hospital with third-degree burns affecting 12% of his body, primarily on his left side, and underwent several surgeries while dealing with infections.
