Florida to Execute 77-Year-Old Prisoner on Tuesday
The state is set to carry out its 18th execution of the year at Florida State Prison.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Criminal Justice
Florida will execute 77-year-old William Reaves on Tuesday evening following the rejection of his final appeals by the Florida Supreme Court. This marks the 18th execution in the state this year for the 1986 murder of Deputy Richard Raczkowski.
Why it matters
The administration aims to provide closure for victims' families who have waited decades for death sentences to be carried out. The state is currently nearing its all-time record of 19 annual executions.
William Reaves is the eighth prisoner over age 70 executed in Florida this year. The execution is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Florida State Prison using a three-drug lethal injection protocol.
The players
William Reaves
He is a 77-year-old death row inmate convicted for the 1986 murder of a deputy.
Richard Raczkowski
He was a deputy sheriff in Indian River County killed in the line of duty.
Florida Supreme Court
This is the highest judicial body in Florida responsible for reviewing final death penalty appeals.
Jesse Guardado
He is a 64-year-old prisoner scheduled for execution by the state in November.
The details
Reaves was convicted for the 1986 shooting death of Deputy Richard Raczkowski in Indian River County. He received his death sentence in 1992 following a retrial, and state officials moved forward with the procedure after the Supreme Court denied his final appeals last week.
Timeline
September 1986: William Reaves shot Deputy Richard Raczkowski.
1992: William Reaves was convicted and sentenced to death.
October 20, 2026: William Reaves is scheduled for execution.
November 5, 2026: Jesse Guardado is scheduled for execution.
Legal Context
This execution follows a period of heightened activity in the state's use of capital punishment. It brings Florida significantly closer to the state record of 19 annual executions.
The execution at Florida State Prison will involve standard security protocols for the facility and surrounding area. Residents may experience temporary road closures or increased law enforcement presence near the prison grounds.
The takeaway
The state continues to prioritize the completion of long-standing capital sentences for older inmates. This cycle of executions highlights the persistent legal and logistical efforts involved in maintaining the death penalty in Florida.
What happens next
Florida is scheduled to execute prisoner Jesse Guardado on November 5, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on state capital punishment policy, visit the Florida Criminal Justice section.
