On Tuesday, Florida carried out its 18th execution of the year. Governor Ron DeSantis, during his last term, has pursued the use of the death penalty aggressively. William Reaves, aged 77, was executed through a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. He was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. Reaves was convicted for first-degree murder related to the 1986 shooting of Indian River County Deputy Richard Raczkowski.
The execution process began promptly with the injection. Within approximately 30 seconds, Reaves exhibited heavy breathing before ceasing movement. Moments later, the warden attempted to elicit a response from Reaves. A medic was summoned to check for signs of life, confirming his death shortly thereafter.
Remarkably, Reaves was the eighth inmate over the age of 70 executed in Florida this year. This fact underscores the aging population on death row. Florida continues to lead the country in executions. The state set a record with 19 executions last year and expects another soon, potentially matching the previous year’s mark.
Governor DeSantis aims to deliver justice to the victims’ families, as they have endured long waits for these sentences to be fulfilled. For Reaves, his death sentence stemmed from the murder of Deputy Raczkowski after a confrontation over a firearm in 1986. Following his initial conviction, Reaves faced retrial due to a prosecutorial conflict of interest. In 1992, he was convicted again. Despite appeals challenging the execution method and the involvement of PTSD, the Florida Supreme Court denied these last week.
Reaves’ defense highlighted that jurors were not informed of his PTSD diagnosis, rated 100% disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs, owing to his Vietnam War service. Over 100 veterans previously petitioned Governor DeSantis to reconsider Reaves’ execution.
Florida’s execution protocol involves the use of a sedative, paralytic, and heart-stopping drug, which is distinct from the single-drug method seen in states like Tennessee. Challenges to this protocol have been unsuccessful, maintaining its use. The U.S. Supreme Court received final appeals from Reaves’ legal team.
Florida nears its record execution numbers from last year. Nationwide, 47 people were executed across the U.S. in 2025, with Florida responsible for over half of this year’s 31 executions. The state made a rare move in July with the execution of two prisoners in one day. The next execution is scheduled for Jesse Guardado on November 5, also restoring attention to Florida’s active execution agenda.
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