Florida Executes Cop Killer Who Apologised to Family After 35 Years on Death Row
Billy Leon Kearse, a 53-year-old murderer on death row, was executed today in Florida for the 1991 killing of police officer Danny Parrish. In his final words, Kearse offered a sincere apology to the victim's family, some of whom were present at Florida State Prison near Starke to witness the lethal injection.
The Fatal Traffic Stop That Led to a Police Officer's Murder
The incident occurred on a one-way street in Fort Pierce, Florida, when Officer Danny Parrish pulled over Kearse for driving in the wrong direction. After Kearse failed to produce his driver's licence during the routine traffic stop, he eventually exited his vehicle and seized Parrish's service revolver. In a brutal attack, Kearse fired the weapon 14 times, fatally wounding the officer.
A nearby taxi driver heard the gunshots and used the officer's radio to call for emergency assistance. Despite being rushed to a hospital, Parrish succumbed to his injuries. Police were able to swiftly apprehend Kearse at his home using licence plate information that Parrish had radioed in prior to the shooting.
Legal Proceedings and Multiple Death Sentences
Kearse was initially convicted in 1991 of first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm, receiving the death penalty. However, the Florida Supreme Court later ordered a new sentencing phase after determining that the trial court had failed to provide jurors with certain information regarding aggravating circumstances. In 1997, Kearse was once again sentenced to death, a penalty that was carried out today.
This execution marks the third person put to death by Florida already this year, continuing a trend of increased capital punishment in the state. In 2025, Florida led the United States with 19 executions, far surpassing other states like Alabama, South Carolina, and Texas, which each conducted five executions. This total exceeded previous records of eight executions in both 1984 and 2014, largely due to a flurry of death warrants signed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.
Family Reaction and the Pursuit of Justice
Mirtha Busbin, the widow of Officer Parrish, expressed surprise at Kearse's apology but stated she could forgive him. "I can forgive him, I can move on. It was the right thing to do... It’s been a long, long 35 years. We didn’t win anything though; we lost another life, but we did get justice," she said.
Police officers gathered to support Parrish's family during the execution, highlighting ongoing advocacy for severe and expedited punishment for those who attack law enforcement officers across the United States. Officer Parrish, who also served as a sergeant in the US Army, is remembered as a dedicated public servant whose life was tragically cut short.
Kearse's execution adds to the national total, with 47 people executed in the U.S. in 2025, underscoring the continued use of the death penalty in certain jurisdictions despite ongoing debates over its morality and efficacy.
