Remembering Broward Deputy Paul Rein

Reporter: Paige Kornblue
Photographer: Glenn Weston

Thousands of people have gathered in downtown Fort Lauderdale to remember slain Broward County Sheriff's Deputy Paul Rein.

So much emotion today, so many memories shared today.

This morning the funeral procession started at the Star of David Funeral Home... stopped at the Broward Sheriff's Office and then arrived at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.  

Deputy Rein was led up the driveway by a riderless horse from the Broward Sheriff's Office mounted unit...the boots positioned backwards in the stirrups symbolizing a leader's final look back at his troops.
 
Hundreds of troops are here including deputies, officers, motorcycles, and cruisers representing many different agencies.

“The purpose of this memorial service is to remember Paul. To help his family get past the loss, not only his family but the BSO family as well. This is a celebration of who he was. It’s a remembrance of what kind of man he was, what kind of colleague he was, what kind of family man he was.”

The service included prayers, reflections, family tributes and a video tribute. Speakers and songs all represented different aspects of Deputy Rein's life... different times, different jobs, family and friends who knew and loved him.

The funeral procession will return to the cemetery. There will be a short service including a 21-gun salute, a presentation of folded flags to the Rein family and a flyover by several law enforcement helicopters. 

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Reporter: Paige Kornblue
Photographer: Glenn Weston

Friends, family and co-workers are remembering a fallen Broward County Sheriff's deputy.

Visitation for Deputy Paul Rein was held at the Star of David Memorial Gardens Monday.
 
Rein was a 20-year veteran of the Broward Sheriff's Office. He also served in the US Army and worked for the United States Postal Service.
 
Last Monday was the last time three Department of Detention deputies saw Rein.

"Monday morning, sitting at breakfast at Red's Diner," says Deputy Lloyd Bingham.
 
"We'd go to breakfast every now and then and he'd be the first one to try to pay the bill," says Deputy William Hogan.
 
This Monday the three deputies are at his visitation... speaking outside and hurting inside.
 
"I don't have the words to say what I feel but it hurts a lot," says Hogan.
 
"If you met him for a second, you knew Paul and you loved him and you wanted to be around him," says Deputy Carl Richardt.
 
Rein was fatally shot Wednesday while transporting inmate Michael Mazza from jail to court.
 
Police say Mazza, a career criminal, was able to overpower and kill Rein with the deputy's firearm... then get away with the van.
 
Mazza was found in Hollywood several hours later after a massive manhunt and it was these three deputies who transported Mazza to jail.
 
"Inmates were getting on the bus going, 'He transported me once, I'm really sorry for your loss,'" says Bingham.
 
It's a loss felt by Deputy Rein's family at home, especially his sons and wife Teri.
 
"Her heart is broken, her family's heart is broken," says Rabbi Ancel Salamon.
 
"It was terrible what happened, he was such a kind, beautiful man. It shouldn't have had to happen that way," says Rose Dalia, a neighbor of the Rein family.
 
"I'm thinking here we go again. I've got the black band on once again. I've got a 36-year career and I've been through this over a dozen times.. it hurts," says Deputy Bob Levine.
 
A special ceremony was also held outside Deputy Rein's visitation Monday.
 
The National Police Defense Foundation presented Mark Spradley with a $2,500 check.
 
Spradley, a homeless man, helped authorities catch Rein's accused killer, Michael Mazza.
 
Spradley says he recognized Mazza's mug shot on TV and made sure police were called immediately.
 
Teri Rein held back tears as she thanked Spradley for his good deed.
 
"I could never express the gratitude I have... without him, that would never have happened," says Teri Rein.
 
Broward Crime Stoppers gave Spradley a $2,500 check Sunday.
 
Wednesday at 11 in the morning, a memorial service will be held for Deputy Rein at the Broward Center.