Fla. sheriff’s deputy killed bringing man to trial

Meyers: 'It hasn't sunk in yet'
Rein’s ex-wife, Mollie Meyers, described him as a 5-foot 7-inch “little strong guy” who retired from the U.S. Postal Service at age 55 and began a second career in the sheriff’s department. He served as a Broward deputy from 1987 to 2000; the department lured him out of his second retirement in 2003.

“He was a typical father, a typical husband, working very hard for his family,” she said. “Sometimes he held down two jobs to provide for his family.”

She said she and Rein split up seven years ago, and both remarried after being wed for 49 years. They had two grown sons, one of whom recently retired as a police officer in Davie. A stepson works for the Coconut Creek police department.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Meyers, 75, said of Rein’s death. “I couldn’t tell you how I feel.”

Meyers said she rarely worried about Rein’s safety because his job involved dealing with inmates, not working the streets. However, she said her ex-husband should not have been alone with Mazza.

“There should have been another deputy with him,” Meyers said.

Inmate: Deputy treated me with dignity
Rein’s file includes numerous letters of commendation, including one from an inmate who said Rein “treated me with a little respect and dignity” when the deputy transported him in 1997.

Rein is the fourth South Florida law enforcement officer and the third Broward deputy shot in the last three months.

Deputy Maury Hernandez was shot in the head Aug. 6 during a traffic stop. He was released from the hospital Oct. 25. Sergeant Chris Reyka, 51, was fatally shot as he was looking for stolen vehicles behind a drug store Aug. 10. His killer is still being sought.

In September, Miami-Dade County police officer Jose Somohano was fatally shot by a gunman who ambushed him and three other officers. The suspect was killed by officers hours later in Broward.

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