Marc Raczkoski said he finally has closure after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the death warrant for William Reaves, the man convicted of killing his brother, Indian River County Deputy Richard Raczkoski, in 1986. The execution is set for Oct. 27.

"It gives closure," Marc Raczkoski said at his brother's grave at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Fort Pierce. "It's finally over."

Richard Raczkoski was 29 years old when he was shot four times and killed on Nov. 23, 1986, after answering a 911 call at a convenience store in Indian River County. Authorities arrested William Reaves, then 37, days later in Albany, Georgia. Reaves confessed to killing Raczkoski, saying he panicked when a gun fell out of his shorts and that he was under the influence of drugs. Reaves was convicted of murder in 1987 and sentenced to death.

Marc Raczkoski, who was 22 at the time of his brother's death, said the years without resolution took a toll on his entire family. "No more Christmas trees in the house. Holidays were never the same.

"Mom didn't decorate," he said. He described standing beside his brother's grave for 40 years, waiting and wondering. "Feels like everybody forgot," he said.

Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers said the execution will bring healing to the agency. "All of that is very heavy on our agency, and knowing that this execution is coming in October gives a little weight lifted off. I think it's going to be a moment of healing for our agency," Flowers said.

The sheriff said he plans to attend the execution. "Because I want to make sure the last thing he sees is an Indian River County Deputy uniform," Flowers said.

Reaves has one last chance at an appeal. If carried out, the execution will mark Florida's 18th this year, following 19 executions in 2025. Grace Hanna of Floridians Against the Death Penalty said her organization has raised concerns about the rapid pace of executions and the transparency of the selection process.

Marc Raczkoski said his brother was always focused on public service and liked to fish and enjoy the outdoors. "He was quick to make you laugh," Marc Raczkoski said. "For what he did to Richard, yes. What he did and the way he did it, yes, it gives me some closure, but still the pain will still always be there."