Florida Executes Man Who Killed Cop With His Own Gun

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Billy Leon Kearse, 53, was executed in Florida on Tuesday evening for the 1991 shooting death of Fort Pierce Police Officer Danny Parrish. Kearse was convicted of first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm after grabbing Parrish's service weapon during a traffic stop struggle and fatally shooting him.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing debates around capital punishment in Florida, which has executed more people than any other state since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. The execution of Kearse comes as the state prepares for two more scheduled executions in the coming weeks.

The details

Court records show that in January 1991, Officer Parrish had pulled over Kearse for driving the wrong way on a one-way street. After Kearse couldn't produce a valid driver's license, Parrish ordered him out of the vehicle and attempted to handcuff him, leading to a struggle. Kearse grabbed Parrish's firearm and fired 14 times, striking the officer 9 times in the body and 4 times in his body armor. A taxi driver heard the shots and called for help on the officer's radio, but Parrish died after being rushed to a hospital.

• On January 1991, Officer Parrish pulled over Kearse for driving the wrong way on a one-way street.
• Kearse was initially convicted of first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm and sentenced to death in 1991.
• Kearse was again sentenced to death in 1997 after the Florida Supreme Court ordered a new sentencing.
• Kearse was executed on March 4, 2026 at Florida State Prison near Starke.

What’s next

Two more Florida executions are scheduled soon, starting with Michael Lee King on March 17 for the 2008 kidnap and killing of a mother of two. Former police officer James Duckett is set to be executed March 31 for the 1987 killing of an 11-year-old girl.