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St. Petersburg police officer who fought for racial equality dies

Freddie L. Crawford, 81, was among a group of black police officers, called the "Courageous 12," who sued the city. They wanted to serve the community the way the job was intended.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A former Florida police officer who helped lead the charge for black officers to have the same job opportunities as their white colleagues died Friday.

Retired Officer Freddie L. Crawford died with his children by his side, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department. He was 81 years old.

The department said Crawford was among a group of 12 black officers, known as the "Courageous 12," who filed a lawsuit in federal court against the city in May 1965. Retired Officer Leon Jackson, the last remaining survivor of the group, said it was Crawford's idea to sue.

The "Courageous 12" were at a disadvantage: They could not work in white neighborhoods, they only could arrest other black people and they were not permitted to take the sergeant's exam, the department said.

Crawford and the group filed the lawsuit and on Aug. 1, 1968, they won. From then on, they were able to freely serve and be considered for promotion.

"Freddie Crawford will always be remembered here at SPPD for leading the way for African Americans and other minorities to serve the community in every rank of law enforcement... not only in St. Pete, also in the Nation," the department wrote on its Facebook page.

"Rest in peace, Freddie... Well done, sir."

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