Florida carried out its 18th execution of 2026 on Tuesday evening, putting 77-year-old William Reaves to death by three-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. The Florida execution began at 6 p.m., continuing a year in which the state has run far ahead of the rest of the country in carrying out death sentences.
TL;DR: William Reaves, 77, was executed Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, at Florida State Prison near Starke by three-drug injection, in Florida’s 18th execution of the year. He had been sentenced to death for the 1986 first-degree murder of Indian River County Deputy Richard Raczkowski. Reaves is the eighth Florida prisoner over age 70 executed this year, underscoring the nation’s aging death-row population — and with another execution scheduled for November, Florida could tie its 2025 record of 19 executions in a single year.
The 1986 killing of Deputy Richard Raczkowski
Reaves was convicted of first-degree murder for the 1986 shooting of Indian River County Deputy Richard Raczkowski. A jury sentenced him to death for the killing, and he spent roughly four decades on death row while his case moved through the courts.
His legal options finally ran out on Tuesday afternoon, when the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his last appeal without comment — clearing the way for the evening execution.
An aging death row
At 77, Reaves was the eighth Florida prisoner over the age of 70 to be executed this year. The statistic points to a broader reality: the nation’s death-row population is aging, with inmates increasingly spending decades behind bars before their sentences are carried out.
It also reflects how far Florida has outpaced the rest of the country in 2026. No other state has come close to Florida’s execution total this year, making the state the undisputed driver of the national pace.
Closing in on the state record
Last year, Florida set a state record with 19 executions in a single year. Another execution is already scheduled for November — and if it is carried out, the state would tie that record.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, who leaves office in January, has said his goal is justice for victims’ families who have waited decades. Supporters of the accelerated pace point to those families; critics point to the sheer volume of executions and the age of the men being put to death after spending most of their adult lives on death row.
Reaves’ final hours
Reaves awoke at 5 a.m. on Tuesday and remained compliant throughout the day, according to Florida Department of Corrections spokesman Jordan Kirkland, who briefed reporters. For his last meal, Reaves ate crackers and drank juice.
He met with four visitors — his sister, brother, nephew and a friend — and with a spiritual adviser in the hours before the injection began at 6 p.m.
Reporting: Associated Press. Image: Florida State Prison entrance. (Eastern Herald)
Frequently asked questions
Who was William Reaves?
William Reaves was a 77-year-old Florida death-row inmate who was executed on Oct. 20, 2026. He had been sentenced to death for the 1986 murder of Indian River County Deputy Richard Raczkowski and spent roughly four decades on death row.
What crime was William Reaves convicted of?
Reaves was convicted of first-degree murder for the 1986 shooting of Indian River County Deputy Richard Raczkowski. A jury sentenced him to death for the killing.
How was William Reaves executed?
Reaves was put to death by a three-drug lethal injection, which began at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, at Florida State Prison near Starke, Florida.
Where did the execution take place?
The execution took place at Florida State Prison, located near Starke in northern Florida. The prison houses the state’s death row and its execution chamber.
Why is this execution drawing national attention?
It was Florida’s 18th execution of 2026 — far more than any other state — and Reaves, at 77, was the eighth Florida prisoner over age 70 executed this year. Both figures highlight the nation’s aging death-row population and Florida’s record pace.
How many executions has Florida carried out in 2026?
Eighteen, through Oct. 20, 2026. Last year the state set a record with 19 executions in a single year.
Could Florida tie its execution record this year?
Yes. Another execution is scheduled for November, and if it is carried out, Florida would tie its 2025 record of 19 executions in a single year.
What has Gov. DeSantis said about the pace of executions?
Gov. Ron DeSantis, who leaves office in January, has said his goal is justice for victims’ families who have waited decades. The accelerated schedule reflects that stated priority.
What were William Reaves’ final hours like?
Reaves awoke at 5 a.m. Tuesday and remained compliant throughout the day, according to Florida Department of Corrections spokesman Jordan Kirkland. His last meal was crackers and juice, and he met with four visitors — his sister, brother, nephew and a friend — plus a spiritual adviser. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected his final appeal without comment Tuesday afternoon.
