INGLEWOOD (CBSLA.com) — The first black mayor of Inglewood and former state Sen. Edward Vincent died Friday. He was 78.

The death was announced by Sen. Roderick D. Wright, D-Inglewood, who was elected to succeed Vincent in 2008.

Vincent was elected mayor in 1983 and has a park in Inglewood named in his honor. He served in the State Assembly from 1996-2000 and the Senate from 2000-2008. He chaired the Senate Governmental Organization Committee and Select Committee on the Horseracing Industry.

“I was deeply saddened to hear of Ed Vincent’s passing. Senator Vincent was a longtime Inglewood resident and a dedicated public servant,” Assembly member Steven Bradford said in a press release. “Though he has passed, the Inglewood park that bears his name will help us remember him for his commitment to public service, the more than 30 years he devoted to the Los Angeles County Probation Department, and his professional football career with the Los Angeles Rams.”

Vincent worked for the Los Angeles County Probation Department for 35 years.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn.

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