Man Executed in Florida for Killing Police Officer

Billy Leon Kearse was convicted of fatally shooting a Fort Pierce police officer with his own service weapon during a traffic stop in 1991.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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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 fatally shooting Parrish with the officer's own service weapon during a traffic stop. Kearse was pronounced dead at 6:24 p.m. following a three-drug lethal injection at Florida State Prison.

Why it matters

This execution marks the third person put to death by Florida so far in 2026, following a record 19 executions in the state in 2025. The case highlights ongoing debates around capital punishment, police violence, and the criminal justice system's handling of violent crimes against law enforcement.

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. During the 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. Parrish died after being rushed to the hospital.

  • Kearse was initially convicted of first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm and sentenced to death in 1991.
  • The Florida Supreme Court later ordered a new sentencing, and Kearse again drew the death penalty in 1997.
  • Kearse was executed on Tuesday, March 4, 2026 at 6:24 p.m.

The players

Billy Leon Kearse

A 53-year-old man convicted of fatally shooting Fort Pierce Police Officer Danny Parrish with the officer's own service weapon during a traffic stop in 1991.

Danny Parrish

A Fort Pierce police officer who was fatally shot by Kearse during a traffic stop in 1991.

Mirtha Busbin

The widow of Officer Parrish, who works as a victim advocate for the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office.

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What they’re saying

“To his family, I sincerely apologize for what I've done. There is no way I can ever repay that.”

— Billy Leon Kearse

“It's been a long, long 35 years. We didn't win anything though; we lost another life, but we did get justice.”

— Mirtha Busbin, Widow of Officer Parrish

“I can forgive him, I can move on. It was the right thing to do.”

— Mirtha Busbin, Widow of Officer Parrish

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.

The takeaway

This execution highlights the ongoing debate around capital punishment in the U.S., especially in cases involving violence against law enforcement. It also raises questions about police-community relations and the criminal justice system's handling of such high-profile, emotionally-charged cases.