After 25 years of legal delays, a red state delivered long-awaited justice for slain police officer Bill Toney by executing his killer, Benjamin Ritchie.
See the tweet below.
While liberal protestors attempted to block the execution, citing Ritchie’s alleged brain damage, Governor Mike Braun stood firm against the last-minute clemency appeals, allowing Indiana to honor the sacrifice of a true hero in blue.
Ritchie was executed by lethal injection early this morning at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.
This marked only the second execution in Indiana in 15 years, following a prolonged hiatus due to a scarcity of lethal injection drugs.
Ritchie had been on death row since 2002 for the murder of Beech Grove Police Officer Bill Toney during a foot chase in 2000.
The execution proceeded following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decline to hear Ritchie’s case and after Indiana Governor Mike Braun rejected his clemency bid.
In his decision, Governor Braun cited Ritchie’s prison violations and the parole board’s recommendation to deny clemency, demonstrating his commitment to supporting law enforcement and upholding the rule of law.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita defended the execution as a necessary step to honor Officer Toney’s sacrifice.
At the time of the murder, Ritchie was only 20 years old and already on probation for a previous burglary conviction.
He killed Officer Toney while fleeing police after stealing a van, showing a blatant disregard for law and authority.
Predictably, the execution faced typical opposition from anti-death penalty advocates who made last-ditch efforts to save Ritchie’s life.
His attorneys attempted to claim ineffective trial counsel and cited fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and childhood lead exposure as mitigating factors.
Disability rights activists also argued that his alleged brain damage should have excluded him from capital punishment.
This is a common tactic used by liberal groups attempting to undermine the justice system and deny closure to victims’ families.
Officer Toney was the first officer killed by gunfire in the line of duty in Beech Grove, a community of 14,000 people. His death left a lasting impact on the community and his fellow officers.
Deputy Police Chief Tom Hurrle reflected on the tragedy, noting, “Everyone of us involved, including Bill, had something stolen from them that they’ll never get back.”
Before his execution, Ritchie was allowed five witnesses as permitted by Indiana law and requested a last meal from Olive Garden. He expressed remorse and regret for his actions during the trial.
It is worth noting that Indiana and Wyoming stand as the only states that bar media witnesses from executions. This policy protects the dignity of the process from potentially biased reporting.
A federal lawsuit seeking media access to executions in Indiana was appropriately denied, preventing what would likely have become a circus-like atmosphere around what should be a solemn process of justice.
Ultimately, Ritchie’s execution represents a victory for law enforcement officers nationwide who put their lives on the line daily.
Even though activists continue to push for eliminating the death penalty entirely, Indiana’s decision to move forward with this execution sends a clear message that those who murder police officers will face the ultimate consequence for their actions.
Ritchie’s final words were, “I love my family, my friends, and all the support I’ve gotten. I hope they all find peace." https://t.co/6FEUXeg6sb
— Indiana Abolition Coalition (@INAbolition) May 20, 2025
