Rufus Lewis has long been celebrated as one of the Tampa Police Department’s “Fearless Four,” Black officers who sued the city five decades ago over its discriminatory hiring and promotional practices.
Now Lewis has reached a settlement with the city over what he claimed was a further injustice spanning decades: denial of his full pension after he was forced to retire early due to an injury.
Council members approved the $250,000 payment to Lewis on Thursday.
“The city stepped up and did something appropriate to correct some discriminatory actions that took place many years ago,” said Guy Burns, Lewis’ attorney. Read more at www.tampabay.com.
