Live To Tell: The Year We Disappeared

A Little Girl Is Terrorized When A Killer Wants Her Entire Family Dead

(CBS)  Imagine being 9 years old and learning that someone wants to kill your family. That’s what happened to Cylin Busby when she was growing up in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

Cylin’s father, John, was a cop who refused to be intimidated -- even by a thug suspected of one murder and two disappearances. But one summer night in 1979, John Busby was ambushed and gunned down.

With the shooter at large, his young family had to run for their lives. Cylin, now grown up, tells a story of revenge and the long-awaited justice that no one could predict.

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CYLIN BUSBY: Imagine being nine years old and learning that someone wanted to kill you... your dad... your brothers... and your mom. That’s what I found out when I was nine years old.

It all began on a perfect summer day. It was the end of summer, August. It was hot, sunny, not a cloud in the sky. And we spent all day at the beach.

And everything was ideal until that night, when everything changed.

KELLIE COLLIER-DRISCOLL: My uncle was a police officer, and he worked the midnight shift.

CYLIN: My dad left for work just like normal. He hadn’t gone probably half a mile from our house when a car pulled up behind him, pulled out alongside him and he was shot through the driver’s side window of his car with a shotgun.

The shotgun blast tore through his face and ripped off his lower jaw.

KELLIE : Before he lost consciousness he wrote: Not an accident. He realized that they were trying to kill him and he feared for his family’s life.

CYLIN: On that summer night, my childhood ended. I was never alone again. We were guarded 24 hours a day. Everybody had a gun.

KELLIE : We were fenced in.

CYLIN: We had an attack dog. We had a sniper on the roof with a long-range rifle.

KELLIE: You couldn’t go out.

CYLIN: I had hidden a steak knife under my mattress and I would just lay there and listen. I just knew that the people who shot my father were not going to stop until we were all dead.

Next door to our house there was an old graveyard. It sounds morbid, but it was actually this beautiful place to go and play. There were these old trees that were perfect for climbing, and a grassy lawn to play tag and hide and seek. We spent a lot of time over there.

Falmouth, Mass., was the ideal place to grow up. Every summer day, we’d get up in the morning. My mom would pack a lunch. And we would head out to Old Silver Beach. By the end of the summer we'd all be brown as berries and just relaxed and happy.

That summer it was me, my two older brothers, Eric and Sean. My dad. My mom. My mom was studying to be a nurse. And then my cousin Kellie who was helping out my parents to take care of us kids. She was there to have fun, but babysitting was how she earned her rent.

My father was a police officer. In his uniform, my dad looked incredibly handsome, I thought. He looked like a movie star to me. He seemed invincible.

[jtschau]

I've read the book 'The Year We Disappeared" after watching this and it answer many of the questions that's been posted here, especially why it was 'allowed'. John Busby stated quite clearly that he knew when he was shot, that there were members of the Falmouth PD who must had helped Reines and could not be trusted. Even so, he knew several he did trust and they guarded his family at home, and him when his was in the hospital. The book also revealed that one of the FPD did in fact give the Reines the duty roster so they would know when and where to ambush John Busby. Corruption of this scale could not have been perpetrated without the knowledge of the Chief of Police and from the book, it is apparent that this corruption had occurred long before Busby joined the force. This brings back memories of what happened in the '70s to NYPD Frank Serpico. Sad how little has change.

[Buckeye Barbie]

Okay, I am so steamed right now! shizzydaboss has to be related to this Satanistic Killer! Talk about lives being ruined? My Aunt refused to leave Falmouth until Reine and his Evil Family were brought to justice over my Cousin, Jeff's death. She ended up dying in Falmouth. The pain this Family has put not only my Family, but numerous others through. Jeff was only 17! And finding out that Shirley May (Souza) Reine's Sister put up a Memorial Site on Virtual Memorials in honor of Shirley and Melvin just plain sickens me. Shirley was with Melvin when he killed Jeff and had the odasity to show up at Jeff's Funeral start telling my Aunt Verna the vial things they made Jeff do before they killed him. Give me a break when you expect Sympathy for Evilness! I want to see a Movie made of all of this and am praying that Falmouth cleans up it's Town and compensates the Busby Family, which would not be enough in my opinion.

[novitz]

Thank you to Cylin and John Busby for writing this book, for sharing with the world the evil that can be caused by fear, cowardly non-action and blatant corruption. Thank you also for showing us (quietly; without any great drama) how you overcame your devastating trauma, and for giving us some insight into the people you are today. Amazing. The picture of John Busby sitting awake night after night, gun resting on his knee - just waiting - will not ever leave me. My admiration for all of you knows no bounds. You are remarkable people who deserve only happiness. It would be good to know how Eric and Shawn are now; whether they are happy and well. Thank you again, Busby family. Sheila McLaren

[cliffps]

In 1967, a Federal jury in Meridian, Miss., convicted 7 Klansmen of conspiracy in the deaths of the 3 civil rights workers. I'm just wondering if SOMEhow, in this particular case, a Federal authority could possibly intervene here, leading maybe to some acceptable level of compensation for the family at the expense of Mel Reine's estate, regardless of whether or not he's turned it over by now to another family member. I mean if the business was so lucrative, I'm sure some legal entity can attach and lien to his estate somehow? I certainly hope all avenues of pay-back under the law have not yet been exhausted! And to think, nobody else in this Reine family has enough common decency to help compensate these poor folks in any way after what their own relatives have done. I imagine they all just looked away and laughed at this poor family back then, too sad. How in hell do they live with themselves?

[susiedaversa]

We NEVER NEVER miss 48HRS, we watch it as a family. I have to say that this particular one scared me to death. I felt the pain and fear of this family. It was so well done. I never thought that your producers could top yourselfs, but you did. I had to actually walk away and watch it later after I had prepared myself for this incredible story. Hats of to the staff of 48hrs. May God Bless this incredible family.
Susan

[andrew_693]

that town sure sounds like a bunch of pussssssies and hicks.

[scoobydoopat]

cosmoCA, I have to agree with you. I taped this program on my DVR. While it was an interesting story, it could have been told in 10 minutes. The producers really stretched out this story. I skipped to the end of the program just to find out the ending to the story.

[berniepeders]

What puzzles me is that NO ONE in that town, whether a cop or a civilian, had the brains and/or guts to just wait somewhere and ambush that sOn oF a *** (Reine). I doubt if the police dept. would have spent much time on that investigation either.
Peace

[cbsblogger]

In the old west when a bully came to town and harassed it and the townspeople, they and the sheriff got together and disposed of the bully. They should have done that with this Reine guy years ago.

[cloudy412]

We could learn from the Busby''s what is important. I''ve read some excerpts from his book on Amazon.com. I plan to purchase it and finish reading it, I also hope they are getting a share of the profits. But they have already won, like John Busby said he is happy and loves his family and his life. As for Melvin Reine he is a diaper wearing vegetable in an institution... that''s Karma baby!

[cosmoca-2009]

This was an interesting story, but I have to agree it could have been told in 5 minutes. I thought it would never end. Please bring back 48 Hours.

[seashellly]

I am from Falmouth and remember living through this.Mel Reine is one sick *** and I remember being told to never look his way.The Falmouth PD is one corrupt dept. all the townies know that.I think someone should pay for they way it was handle.I feel bad for Busby and believe someone should pay.What about the Police officers at the time the chief anyone.Am ashamed at the way the town handle it.Maybe this will open the doors to investigate the police dept because believe me there are many skeltons in their closet.What about Shirley did any forget?Why was this allowed?

[mswolfestock]

There should be no statute of limitation for anyone who commits a crime against a police officer. Period.

[tmonta1]

Shizzy--

Still on the payroll, are we? Long time, no see maybe?

Maria-- three words: ''acquire some compassion''. It wasn''t about what YOU wanted, but what the FAMILY NEEDED.

[baumunicorn31]

I read all of the comments that were written, some were supporting and some were degrating. Shizzy needs a good lesson in manners and respect, and MGB241 could use some too.
The Busby family deserved so much more from thier police department, the town and the citizens of Falmouth.
I can''t believe that the statue of limitations can run out on attempted murder! Mel Reine should have been brought up on charges back in 1979. What was thier chief of police thinking?
I''m overwhelmed that John Busby is still alive and will pray for his family, they never knew what was about to hit them and they deserve to live a long and healthy life now.
I am looking forward to reading thier book.

[lebowskibig]

Shizzy Writes: "I''''m from Falmouth and my family has lived here since they settled in The United States over a century ago.. What outsiders, people who never even been to small *** Falmouth, don''''t realize is that Busby was a ball breaker. He was the *** police officer who was always *** with people he was the "Bully"...."

Can you please clarify what a ball buster is in your terms? What did Officer Busby do to bust your balls that was SO BAD that he deserved to be shot at? Because really your whole point of view makes me want to puke!

[cloudy412]

Shizzy, I will reiterate what I said before Melvin''s brother John Reine said that Melvin shot Busby and he was driving the station wagon when it happened. Since you live there maybe you could talk to John Reine about it or maybe get ahold of the police report. It''s in the article above on the 6th page. Can you read?

[tesstoo]

My family also settled on the Cape from Portugal. Tilled the ground as farmers and made their mark on Falmouth and East Falmouth. I lived through the fear of Reine''s threat and ultimate acts of violence. Flannigan wasa a family friend as well. Reine is evil, no doubt about it. One time looking into his face will tell you that. His brother, and his sons are just as bad. His brother admitted it! He was a man when he drove that car though huh? Yea, a man that refused to admit his illegal actions til well after the statutes of limitations ran out. Some great family. They can''t walk around town? Seriously? Todd is in jail for stealing his fathers will! That father taught his sons not only the trash business but the fear business. He did not pass on any sort of moral code to them. Don''t pretend that they are victims in this. How about all the people that are not here anymore? Flannigan? Paul? Wanda? Shirley? none of them get to hold their heads up high any longer do they? Reine never once considered his family''s well-being or ability to hold their heads up when he pulled the triggers. Busby was a cop in a fake paradise. Shizzy, you were obviously one of the plazarats that didn''t get to get away with it back then. Whose ault? Not the cops. You chose your path. Reine chose his. He chose poorly

[marcook47]

I lived in Falmouth years ago. I watched the 48 hrs show. When is it legal to air a show when the accussed was never arrested is this just imagination of a "bully" cop? I do suppose whomever supplied the pictures were very close to the family the person must have been paid alot of money. I don''t think that anyone should include the entire family they are not like that maybe he had a disorder that was never diagnosed. I remember the days that he would give the unfortunate jobs in his businness. Everyone has a good side of their being. Cape Cod is a great place to live regardless of any crime and there has been many in other areas. I think the entire matter to the family is financial. Why now? The Busby family should be grateful they have each other and have endured without all the drama they portrayed on TV. Thank you

[randyheating]

I am so proud to have met and known John.I only knew bits & pieces of the story.I always knew there was something very special about him.
It is so tragic that such a wonderful family can be so abandonded by the town which John chose to protect.
I can only hope that I could have the grace, that John has.John could have so easily been consumed, and destroyed the life and family he has.We should all be so strong.
I have been fortunate to have met, what are thought to be, some great people, John is at the top of the list.
John, I hope all is well, all who knew you around here miss you and your family.

[lebowskibig]

ShizzyDaBoss writes: "maybe if you got your head out of your *** and realized how much loving and caring family Melvin had you would also see that he has grandchildren and other family that can''t walk around town without being labled it''s not fair for them at all so don''t come with one sided stories"

You''re worried about Reine''s family members not being able to walk with their heads high because of the actions of one of their own?? Oh well, try not even being able to walk around in a town you were born in because you think someone is going to KILL you! Get a clue man.

I support the Busby family and think it''s just terrible that they were not supported enough by the town because of fear of this one loser instilled. I think Cylin & John''s book was great! And I applaud them for having the courage to go through what they did.

I would love for Melvin to write a book so I can buy it and light it on fire!

Props to Rick Smith for standing up to the FPD and elected town officials to get the statute appealed, it would have been a better story if they cared as much as he does. Like he said in this segment, "Go anywhere in America and they don''t drop a case on an officer shooting until there is an arrest"