ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The St. Petersburg Police Department on Saturday announced the death of Freddie L. Crawford, among 12 black officers known as the "Courageous 12."

Crawford and the rest of the Courageous 12 fought the City of St. Petersburg for equality in the work place.

On May 11, 1965, the group filed a lawsuit in federal court and won their case on August 1, 1968.

They won the right to carry out their jobs as intended and to 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," the police department said in a news release.