Florida executed William Reaves, 77, on Tuesday for killing a sheriff’s deputy in 1986, marking the state’s 18th execution this year as Republican Governor Ron DeSantis pursues the most aggressive death penalty campaign in modern American history. The execution brings Florida within one of tying its own state record set just last year.

Vietnam Veteran Dies For Deputy’s Murder

Reaves received a lethal injection at Florida State Prison for the shooting death of Indian River County Deputy Richard Raczkowski. The deputy responded to a 911 call Reaves himself placed at a Vero Beach convenience store in September 1986. During their encounter, a firearm fell from Reaves’ clothing, triggering a struggle. After regaining control of the weapon, Reaves shot the fleeing deputy four times, killing him.

The convicted killer was sentenced to death twice. His initial 1987 conviction was overturned by the Florida Supreme Court due to prosecutorial conflicts of interest, but a second trial in 1992 produced the same verdict. Over 100 military veterans pleaded with DeSantis to spare Reaves’ life, citing his 100 percent disability rating for post-traumatic stress disorder from Vietnam War service. The governor rejected their appeal.

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MIAMI (AP) — Florida is set Tuesday to carry out its 18th execution of the year under Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis ’ aggressive use of the death penalty in his final term. William Reaves, 77, was s…

10:47 AM · Oct 20, 2026

Florida Outpaces Nation in Executions

Florida has executed more prisoners than all other states combined this year, carrying out over half of America’s 31 total executions in 2026. DeSantis set a state record with 19 executions in 2025, and another execution scheduled for November 5 would tie that mark. The governor, who leaves office in January, has stated his mission is delivering justice to victims’ families who have waited decades for sentences to be carried out.

Reaves became the eighth Florida death row prisoner over age 70 executed this year, highlighting the nation’s aging condemned population. Jesse Guardado, 64, faces execution on November 5 for the 2004 robbery and murder of a woman to purchase drugs. Defense attorneys challenged Florida’s three-drug injection protocol, which differs from single-drug methods used in states like Tennessee, but courts have consistently upheld the state’s procedure.

What This Means

Florida’s execution rate under DeSantis represents a dramatic departure from national trends as many states abandon capital punishment. The aggressive schedule demonstrates how conservative leadership prioritizes swift justice over prolonged appeals, even for elderly inmates with military service records and documented mental health conditions. With 47 Americans executed in 2025, Florida alone accounted for 40 percent of the nation’s total executions, reshaping the death penalty landscape across America.