Full Breakdown
Florida Executes 77-Year-Old Vietnam Veteran Amid Surge in State Death Penalties
By Drooid · · How we work
Execution of William Reaves
In October 2026, Florida carried out its 18th execution of the year, putting to death William Reaves, 77, a Vietnam-era Army veteran convicted of first-degree murder for the 1986 shooting of Indian River County Deputy Richard Raczkowski. The execution took place at Florida State Prison near Starke using the state’s three-drug lethal-injection protocol. Reaves was pronounced dead a few minutes after the injection began.
Background & Context
Reaves was convicted in 1987, but the Florida Supreme Court overturned that verdict in 1991 because the prosecutor had previously represented him. A new trial in 1992 resulted in a second death sentence, which has been upheld through successive appeals. Governor Ron DeSantis has framed the pace of executions as “justice for victims’ families.” Florida set a state record with 19 executions in 2025 and is on track to match that tally again if the scheduled November execution proceeds.
Data & Statistics
- 18th execution in Florida in 2026.
- Reaves was the eighth inmate over age 70 executed this year, highlighting an aging death-row population.
- Florida recorded 19 executions in 2025, the highest annual total in the state’s history.
- The state accounts for the majority of the 31–32 executions reported nationwide in 2026.
- The next scheduled execution is set for November 5, when Jesse Guardado, 64, is slated to be executed for a 2004 murder.
Official Statements & Responses
Florida Department of Corrections officials reiterated that the three-drug protocol has been upheld by state courts and differs from the single-drug method used in Tennessee. The U.S. Supreme Court denied Reaves’ final stay request on the day of the execution, and the Florida Supreme Court had rejected his state-level appeals the previous week.
Criticism & Opposition
More than 100 military veterans wrote to Governor DeSantis urging a halt to the execution, arguing that Reaves’ 100 % disability rating for PTSD should have been considered as mitigating evidence. Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers, who attended the execution, said the act did not constitute justice, describing the outcome as “not justice in any way.”
On-the-Ground Reports
Sheriff Flowers traveled to the prison to witness the execution, stating that the event would provide “closure” for the deputy’s family and the community. Family members of Deputy Raczkowski recalled the loss of a son and brother and described the execution as a long-awaited moment of closure.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the total number of U.S. executions recorded in 2026: some outlets report 32 executions nationwide, while others cite 31. Both figures are presented as official tallies, leaving a minor discrepancy in the national count.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Would we all be so lucky to be 77 years old and to die so peacefully,” — County Sheriff Eric Flowers
- “In the prevailing narrative, he’s a monster who shot a good cop as the man begged for his life. In the untold story, he’s a victim of circumstance – a sweet kid from a small town who was sent to war, trained to kill in the service of his country, and returned home a psychological ruin,” — Chance Meyer
What’s Next
The state’s next execution is scheduled for November 5, when Jesse Guardado will be put to death. Florida officials indicate that no further stays are expected, and the U.S. Supreme Court has already denied Reaves’ last appeal.