FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A homeless man who helped authorities find the man suspected of killing a Broward Sheriff's Office detention deputy was rewarded for his efforts Sunday afternoon.

Mark Twain Spradley received two checks totaling $3,500, Local 10's Kellie Butler reported.

One check for $1,000 came from the Sheriff's Foundation of Broward County. The other check for $2,500 was from Crime Stoppers. That check did not come out of the Crime Stoppers reward fund of $25,000.

The check Sunday was intended to help Spradley with his immediate needs.

"There's no doubt Mark Spradley deserves the reward," said Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti. "He's the hero in this story."

On Wednesday, Spradley picked up a hitchhiker who was later identified as Michael Mazza. Mazza is accused of killing Deputy Paul Rein, 76, as he was transporting Mazza from jail to the Broward County courthouse.

"Before I saw the TV, I had no indication in the world that this was a person who had just murdered someone," said Spradley.

Spradley realized Mazza was a wanted man when he walked into a Hollywood pawn shop and saw Mazza's mug shot on the local news. Spradley told the pawn shop owner to call police because he had the suspect in his car.

Lamberti said that although other people may have played minor roles in Mazza's capture, Spradley played the most crucial role because if he had not recognized the inmate, Mazza could still be on the loose.

The sheriff also said the fact that 911 was dialed instead of the Crime Stoppers number is not in any way an issue as to whether the reward is paid out. The Crime Stoppers board will meet Nov. 26 to decide who should receive the $25,000.

Spradley has more money coming his way Monday. He is set to receive $2,500 from the National Police Defense Foundation.