The city of Tampa has settled with retired Black officer Rufus Lewis, agreeing to pay him $250,000 after decades of denied pension benefits following an early retirement due to injury. Lewis is celebrated as one of the "Fearless Four," a group that successfully sued the Tampa Police Department in the 1970s for discriminatory hiring and promotion practices. This recent settlement is viewed as a necessary step to rectify the ongoing injustices faced by Lewis, who has long sought compensation from the city. City Attorney Andrea Zelman noted that the settlement was negotiated to avoid protracted litigation costs while addressing Lewis's interests. Importantly, the agreement does not entail any admission of liability from the city.

Lewis's contributions to civil rights and his fight against discrimination have left a lasting impact, with his portrait displayed at police headquarters. The situation underscores the importance of acknowledging and correcting historic injustices within law enforcement agencies. As the city moves forward, this settlement serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in achieving racial equity and justice.