South Florida

Sgt. Chris Reyka's Son Reflects on Father's Unsolved Murder

Ten years after Broward Sheriff’s Office lost one of its own in the line of duty, the case of Sergeant Chris Reyka remains open.

Reyka’s son, who is now a BSO deputy, holds onto hope that there will be closure in the case.

Deputy Sean Reyka spoke with NBC 6 at a garden dedicated to his father at the Pompano Beach district office. As he looked over a monument honoring his dad, Sean said he has confidence in the investigation.

"With what I’ve been shown, I do firmly believe. I found a degree of closure with what's been shown to me,” said Reyka.

Sgt. Reyka was ambushed and shot five times after he spotted a car with stolen tags at a Walgreens parking lot in Pompano Beach.

Shawn Labeet was a person of interest, but it may never be known if he was the gunman as Labeet was killed in a shootout with police a month after Reyka’s murder. The gun and vehicle used in the crime have never been found.

Reyka says there’s no rush to closing the case.

"At the end of the day, finding the actual piece helps close those gaps,” said Reyka. "This has never been about the person who killed my father.”

After his father’s tragic death, Reyka was inspired to follow his dad’s footsteps and join the force.

"Everything he brought home was positive and I wanted to be a part of that positivity when I eventually decided to go into the field,” explained Reyka.

On Thursday, Family, friends and fellow deputies will gather at the Walgreens where Reyka died to honor his ultimate sacrifice. The Walgreens is located on 960 S. Powerline Rd., Pompano Beach.

The group will partake in the “Sergeant Chris Reyka Memorial Ride” which starts at 4:30 p.m. During the tribute, there will be a rifle and handgun presentation. At 6:30 p.m., the group will ride to the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth for sunset service. Dinner will be served at 12265 State Rd. 7 in Boynton Beach following the service at the cemetery.

Motorists can expect some delays during the memorial ride.

The ride will leave Walgreens heading north on Powerline Road to Atlantic Boulevard, west to Northwest 31st Avenue, north to the Turnpike, continuing north to Boynton Beach, west to 441, then north on 441 to the cemetery.

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