Florida Conducts Its 18th Execution of the Year Under Governor DeSantis

On Tuesday, Florida executed its 18th prisoner of the year, led by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis’ firm use of the death penalty. William Reaves, aged 77, was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. at Florida State Prison near Starke. Reaves faced execution for the 1986 murder of Indian River County Deputy Richard Raczkowski.

The lethal procedure began with a three-drug injection. Reaves initially breathed heavily before ceasing movement. Afterward, a team warden attempted to rouse him without success. A medic confirmed his death shortly thereafter.

Reaves was the eighth inmate over 70 executed this year in Florida, a state that leads in executions nationwide. Florida surpassed state records with 19 executions last year. Another execution is planned for November, which could match the annual record if conducted.

Governor DeSantis previously stated that his intent is to deliver justice to victim families awaiting execution for decades.

Details of the Crime

Deputy Raczkowski responded to a 911 call in Vero Beach in September 1986. Reaves later admitted to making the call from a payphone. During a conversation with Raczkowski, a gun fell from Reaves’ shorts. A struggle ensued over the weapon. Reaves regained control and fatally shot the deputy four times while he attempted to flee.

Initially convicted and sentenced to death in 1987, Reaves faced a retrial after a conflict of interest in prosecution emerged. Upon his second conviction in 1992, his appeals proved unsuccessful. Last week, the Florida Supreme Court declined his final appeals.

Legal Challenges

Reaves’ attorneys contested Florida’s lethal injection methods. The protocol includes a sedative, paralytic, and heart-stopping drug. These challenges are recurrent but upheld by the courts. This differs from Tennessee’s single-drug method.

The defense also highlighted the jury’s ignorance of Reaves’ post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis from Vietnam service, rated as 100% disabling. Over 100 veterans implored Governor DeSantis to halt the execution shortly before Reaves’ death.

The U.S. Supreme Court considered final appeals for Reaves.

Upcoming Executions

Nationally, 47 executions occurred in 2025. Florida led last year and conducted more than half of the 31 executions in the U.S. so far in 2026. Notably, Florida carried out two executions in one day in July, a first in nearly ten years.

Next is Jesse Guardado, scheduled for November 5, for a 2004 robbery and murder driven by drug acquisition.