Florida puts 77-year-old man to death for deputy's murder as state closes in on execution record

A 77-year-old Florida man was executed on Tuesday for killing a sheriff's deputy more than 40 years ago, marking the Sunshine State's 18th execution of the year as Republican Gov.

Ron DeSantis continues an accelerated pace of executions.

William Reaves was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. at Florida State Prison near Starke following a three-drug injection.

He was convicted of first-degree murder in connection with the September 1986 shooting death of Indian River County sheriff's deputy Richard Raczkoski.

Reaves said he did not have any last words.

About 30 seconds after the injection began, Reaves took several big breaths and then stopped moving.

A few minutes later, the team warden shook Reaves’ shoulders and shouted his name, but the man gave no response.

A medic checked for a heartbeat or other signs of life, and Reaves was pronounced dead about a minute later.

FLORIDA EXECUTES INMATE WHO KILLED CELLMATE BECAUSE HE WANTED DEATH PENALTY Raczkoski's brother, Marc, told reporters after witnessing the execution that his brother finally received justice, while Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said that he viewed the execution as closure rather than justice.

"Would we all be so lucky to be 77 years old and to die so peacefully," Flowers said at a press conference.

"That’s not justice in any way, in my opinion." On Sept.

23, 1986, Raczkoski responded to a 911 call that Reaves had made from a payphone at a Vero Beach convenience store, according to court records.

After the deputy arrived at the scene and the two men began talking, a gun fell out of Reaves’ pants, officials said.

The two men struggled over the weapon before Reaves eventually regained control of it.