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Summary: Officer Danny Parrish, a Fort Pierce police veteran, was killed during a traffic stop in Fort Pierce, Florida, on January 18, 1991. Billy Leon Kearse, then 19 and now 53, allegedly struggled with Parrish, seized his service weapon, and fired 14 shots, striking the officer 13 times. Kearse was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed his execution warrant for March 3, 2026, reports say.
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (DailyKenn.com) — DeSantis Issues Death Warrant for Inmate Convicted in 1991 Slaying of Fort Pierce Officer
Florida's governor has authorized the execution of a man found guilty more than three decades ago of fatally shooting a police officer during a routine traffic stop, marking the state's third scheduled lethal injection this year amid a continued push for capital punishment.
According to court records, Parrish asked Kearse for identification, but the driver offered multiple false names and failed to provide a valid license. The officer then instructed Kearse to exit the vehicle and began applying handcuffs when a physical altercation broke out. Prosecutors stated that Kearse seized Parrish's service weapon during the struggle and discharged it 14 times, hitting the officer 13 times—nine wounds penetrating his torso and four striking his protective vest.
Authorities tracked Kearse using vehicle details Parrish had radioed in prior to the confrontation, leading to his arrest at his residence later that morning. Kearse faced charges of first-degree murder and armed robbery, with the latter tied to the theft of the officer's firearm. A jury convicted him on both counts in October 1991, recommending capital punishment. While an initial death sentence was imposed, the Florida Supreme Court ordered a resentencing due to procedural issues involving jury instructions on aggravating factors. Kearse received the death penalty again in March 1997.
Defense attorneys have pursued numerous appeals over the years, challenging evidence and sentencing protocols, but state courts upheld the verdict. Additional petitions are anticipated before the U.S. Supreme Court as the execution date nears.
The case has drawn emotional responses from those connected to the victim. Parrish's widow, Mirtha Busbin, who now assists crime victims through the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, described the warrant as a mixed blessing in statements to authorities. She noted it brings long-sought finality after persistent advocacy, including correspondence with the governor's office, though she emphasized her reluctance to celebrate another's demise. State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl, overseeing the judicial circuit encompassing Fort Pierce, expressed hope that the development allows Parrish's family to achieve some measure of solace after prolonged grief.
Community members in Fort Pierce, where Parrish served for years, have voiced support for the decision, with local law enforcement groups highlighting it as a step toward accountability for attacks on officers. The warrant follows two others signed by DeSantis earlier this month, continuing Florida's lead in national executions after a record-setting 19 carried out last year.
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