'Hero' who helped catch prisoner reaps rewards

FORT LAUDERDALE - A homeless man who helped capture an escaped prisoner accused of fatally shooting a sheriff's deputy was called a hero Sunday and given thousands of dollars in assistance.

Mark Spradley picked up Michael Mazza in his car and drove around with him for two hours on Wednesday before realizing he was wanted in the shooting of a deputy earlier in the day. Spradley alerted authorities.

"He's the hero in this story," Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti said.

Mazza was being transported to a court appearance by 76-year-old Deputy Paul Rein, who was shot and killed.

On Sunday, Spradley was presented with a total of $3,500 from two organizations at the Broward Sheriff's Office, and a spokesman for the National Police Defense Foundation said that organization would give him $2,500 today.

Spradley may get additional money in days to come. He is eligible for $25,000 in reward money from Crime Stoppers and another $7,500 from the National Police Defense Foundation.

[Last modified November 12, 2007, 00:00:47]