Controversy Set Aside as Deputy Is Eulogized : Funeral: Darryn Leroy Robins, who was fatally shot in an apparent training accident, is remembered as fun-loving and dedicated.

The controversy surrounding the Christmas Day shooting death of Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Darryn Leroy Robins was momentarily forgotten Friday during a funeral service that celebrated him as an outstanding lawman, a fun-loving prankster and a dedicated husband and father.

More than 1,200 law enforcement officials in full dress uniform, friends and family members gathered for a wrenching, two-hour eulogy at First Church of God in Inglewood to honor the 30-year-old deputy from Torrance.

Robins’ widow, Rosemary, sat with their 18-month-old daughter, Melissa, who fidgeted with her bonnet and drank from her bottle, too young to understand the sadness at hand.

During one of her husband’s favorite Hawaiian folk songs, Rosemary Robins, who is from Hawaii, rocked in her seat and cried softly.

“Goodby partner,” Deputy Duane Turner said after he recounted Robins’ dedication to steering Orange County youths away from drugs and gangs.

“Rest in Peace. A job well done. We will never forget you,” said Orange County Sheriff Brad Gates, who along with many others praised Robins’ accomplishments during his eight years with the department.

Outside, several dozen motorcycles and more than a 100 gleaming patrol cars from police agencies across Southern California lined Crenshaw Boulevard. A procession of more than 200 vehicles, led by 70 officers on motorcycles, wended its way to Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Robins was shot last week by fellow Deputy Brian P. Scanlan as they were re-enacting a traffic stop in a deserted parking lot behind an Orange County movie theater. Scanlan had a loaded gun during the drill and shot Robins in the face.

The shooting was referred to only once during the funeral service by a pastor who termed it an accident.

The mystery surrounding the shooting has raised some concerns that race may have played a role. Robins was black. Those close to Robins say they think the shooting was an accident, but they said they will not be able to recover from the deputy’s death until they get details about what happened.

“I don’t believe it was a black-white thing at all,” said Harold Griffin, 31, of Los Angeles, who grew up with Robins. “But I would like to see some answers to some questions before we can put this behind us.”

Friends said Rosemary Robins has expressed no animosity toward Scanlan, who was invited to the funeral but did not attend.

After the church ceremony, Gates and other Orange County officials again declined to provide details on the shooting, which is being investigated by the Orange County district attorney’s office.

“I don’t think we help matters at this point by speculation,” said Orange County Supervisor William G. Steiner, who attended the service. “The family has shown such strength and forgiveness, we should learn a lesson from them.” Just days before his death, Robins had addressed more than 1,400 schoolchildren through the department’s outreach program, telling them that he would always be available if they ever needed his advice, Turner said.

It was a calling that earned him the nickname Deputy Rappin’ Robins among youths for whom Robins would spice up drug and gang talks with a language and music they understood, Turner said.