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Freddie Crawford, Member of the Courageous 12, Dies at 81

AnthonyHollow|FreddieL.Crawford|Courageous

The Courageous 12 sued the city in the 1960s for equality in the workplace.

ST. PETERSBURG – Retired St. Petersburg police Officer Freddie L. Crawford, 81, died Friday (May 17, 2019) with his children by his side.

Officer Crawford was among 12 black officers, known as the Courageous 12, who fought the city of St. Petersburg for equality in the work place. Retired Officer Leon Jackson, the last surviving member of the Courageous 12, said that it was Officer Crawford’s idea to sue the city.

In the 1960s, black officers were not allowed to work in white neighborhoods, could only arrest other black residents and were not allowed to take the sergeant’s exam.

On May 11, 1965, the group filed a lawsuit in federal court and won their case on Aug.1, 1968. They won the right to carry out their jobs as intended and to be considered for promotion.

The department said Officer 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.

Freddie L. Crawford | Courageous 12 | Deaths

Freddie L. Crawford

Main photo shows St. Petersburg police Chief Anthony Holloway, left, with retired St. Petersburg police Officer Freddie L. Crawford. In-story photo shows Officer Crawford during his time on the force. Photos courtesy of the St. Petersburg Police Department.

Freddie L. Crawford | Courageous 12 | Deaths | Obituaries | Tampabay News

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