Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 4-17-18

Feature
Police Chief Replaces Stolen Badge Of Retired Sergeant
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
No one is immune to be- coming a crime victim, in- cluding police officers. And that was evident about 15 years ago when a retired offi- cer found himself a victim of a crime.
Retired Police Ser- geant Rufus Lewis said on that day, someone broke into his van and took his brief- case. The briefcase contained his wallet, his personal iden- tification, and the retirement badge presented to him by the Tampa Police Depart- ment. Lewis concentrated on replacing his identifica- tion and simply wrote the badge off as a significant loss.
He didn’t realize that it would be replaced. But a few weeks ago, Chief Brian Dugan invited several re- tired members of the depart- ment for a “Chat and Chew.”
Members of the Tampa Police Department shown with retired Sgt. Rufus Lewis, (far right) are from left to right: Major Rocky Ratliff, Major Lee Bercaw, Major Keith O’Connor, Major Ruben Delgado, Assistant Chief Marc Hamlin, Assistant Chief Eli Vazquez, Major Ron Mc- Mullen, Chief Brian Dugan, and Major Mike Baumaister.
It was then that Chief Dugan learned about the stolen badge.
“I simply mentioned it during our conversation and
he said, “I can replace that.” And he did. Chief Dugan presented Lewis
with a replacement badge. Lewis said, “I feel good
about it and extend my thanks to Chief Dugan. It makes me feel like part of the department again.”
Lewis joined the Tampa
Police Department in June 25, 1967. Following an in- jury, he retired with a dis- ability on November 18, 1983.
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