A Sheriff Named Wilma
An obscure lawyer plucked from the federal bureaucracy to become the District's U.S. attorney two years ago, Wilma Lewis is getting comfortable with getting tough.
Cover Story
An obscure lawyer plucked from the federal bureaucracy to become the District's U.S. attorney two years ago, Wilma Lewis is getting
comfortable with getting tough.
Photographs by Darrow Montgomery
Wilma Lewis is looking for the Rev. Ronald Austin. He's somewhere in the crowd of people lingering after an awards luncheon for Neighbors Who Care, a national group that trains people to work with victims of crime. Lewis, the U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., has just given a short speech. She was less than riveting on the dais, but afterward, she is mobbed by well-wishers. As they come forward to pump her hand and load her up with platitudes and advice, she listens intently to each, nodding a subdued "Thank you" or "Terrific." After about 15 minutes, she pulls away and finds Austin: He is leaning on crutches by the podium where she gave her remarks. Austin is an important person to Lewis, but he's no powerful city official or high-level minion of Attorney General Janet Reno's. He's the victim of a high-profile carjacking two years ago, which left him without half of his left leg.
"Rev. Austin, good to see you again," Lewis says warmly. She places a kiss on his cheek. "How are you doing? How's the leg?"
"I'm still getting used to the prosthesis," Austin replies. "But I'm wearing it more and more."
She smiles again. Lewis specializes in small moments like this one.... Continued 
Issue of Mar. 10 - 16, 2000
News and Features
- A Sheriff Named Wilma
Cover Story - February
The City - Rent's Due
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