Florida Executes William ‘Billy’ Kearse for 1991 Police Officer Murder

More than three decades after the killing of a Fort Pierce police officer, William “Billy” Kearse was executed by lethal injection on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the Florida State Prison in Raiford. The execution marks Florida’s third of the year and the fifth in the United States.

Details of the Crime and Trial

On January 18, 1991, Fort Pierce Police Officer Danny Parrish stopped a car driven by 18-year-old Billy Kearse for driving the wrong way on a one-way street. Kearse did not have a valid driver’s license. During the traffic stop, a struggle ensued, and Kearse took Parrish’s service weapon, firing over a dozen shots into the officer. Officer Parrish later died in the hospital.

Kearse was initially convicted of first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm in 1991 and sentenced to death. However, the Florida Supreme Court later found that the trial court had withheld information from the jury regarding aggravating circumstances, leading to a new sentencing hearing in 1997, where he again received a death sentence.

Final Moments and Apology

Prior to his execution, Kearse declined a last meal but met with a spiritual advisor. His final words were an apology: “I apologize for what I’ve done. I apologize to the family, my death will not repay it. I ask for God’s forgiveness and thank you.”

Reaction from the Victim’s Family

Mirtha Busbin, the widow of Officer Parrish, stated that while the apology was unexpected, it brought her a sense of peace. “I do find peace in knowing Mr. Kearse did apologize prior to his departure and that had given me peace knowing I can move on,” she said.

Recent Executions in the U.S.

Kearse’s execution follows closely after that of Melvin Trotter, who was executed in Florida for a 1986 murder. There have similarly been executions in Texas and Oklahoma earlier this year. In 2025, the United States carried out 47 executions, with Florida leading the nation with 19.

Legal Challenges and the Death Penalty

Kearse’s lawyers attempted to halt the execution, citing concerns about his mental state, but these efforts were unsuccessful. The death penalty remains a contentious issue in the United States, with 23 states still authorized to carry out capital punishment.