Billy Leon Kearse, an American convicted murderer, died on March 3, 2026, at Florida State Prison in Florida, according to records provided.
Kearse was found guilty of murdering Fort Pierce police sergeant Danny Thomas Parrish, who was shot and killed on January 18, 1991, after stopping Kearse for driving the wrong way down a one-way street. During the encounter, Kearse struggled with Parrish, grabbed his gun, and fired 13 shots, resulting in the officer’s death.
Kearse was sentenced to death on November 8, 1991, and was executed 35 years after the killing.
On January 18, 1991, in Fort Pierce, Florida, United States, 29-year-old police sergeant Danny Thomas Parrish (October 4, 1961 – January 18, 1991) was shot and killed by 18-year-old Billy Leon Kearse (October 26, 1972 – March 3, 2026), who was stopped by Parrish for driving the wrong way down a one-way street. In an attempt to avoid arrest, Kearse put up a struggle with Sergeant Parrish and grabbed his gun, before shooting the police officer 13 times, leading to his death. Kearse was found guilty of murdering Sergeant Parrish and sentenced to death on November 8, 1991. Kearse was executed on March 3, 2026, 35 years after he murdered the officer.