Star of Texas award recognizes North Texas first responders
Gov. Greg Abbott presented Star of Texas Awards on Sept. 11 to several North Texas first responders, including fallen Terrell police officer Jacob Candanoza and Fort Worth firefighter Caleb Halvorson.
Candanoza was honored posthumously after he was killed during a traffic stop off Highway 34 in Terrell on Dec. 8, 2024. His family accepted the award alongside members of the Terrell Police Department. Authorities said Darrian Johnson later pleaded guilty in the shooting, and a Kaufman County judge sentenced him to life in prison without parole.
Halvorson was recognized after surviving a 2025 fire in which the roof of a burning building collapsed on him. He spent 34 days in the hospital after being airlifted to Parkland Hospital with third-degree burns over 12% of his body, mainly on his left side, and underwent multiple surgeries.
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