A life dedicated to children and his community: Paul Rast was an ordained minister and served as Pastor of the Church of Christ in Roseville, Illinois, and the Church of Christ in Fountain City, Indiana. Officer Rast was actively involved in his community serving as Youth Director of the Y.M.C.A. in Galesburg, Illlinois and Mesa, Arizona. He was a little league coach and Indian guide for his children.

Officer Rast transferred from the Arizona State Prison in Florence to the Adobe Mountain Juvenile Institution, then part of the Arizona Department of Corrections, because he wanted to make a difference for kids whose lives were in crisis. Officer Rast was killed in the performance of his duties September 7, 1975, after being assaulted by juvenile inmates.

Officer Rast is survived by his wife Sylvia and his sons Cary Lee and Galen William.