The Indiana Supreme Court has set May 20, 2025, as the execution date for Benjamin Ritchie, who investigators say killed Beech Grove police officer Bill Toney in 2000.

Ritchie was convicted in 2002 and has been appealing his sentence ever since his conviction. The court denied his appeal and granted the state’s request for an execution date.

Toney’s widow, Dee Dee Horen, has been waiting for justice for almost 24 years and believes that the execution is necessary for closure and to honor her late husband.

The killing of Toney began as a pursuit of a stolen van on September 29, 2000. Investigators say Richie was the man driving the van, but he eventually he got out of the van and ran away. Toney chased after Ritchie, but police say at some point during the chase, Ritchie turned around and fired four shots at Toney. Toney was hit by the gunfire and later died.

A jury also unanimously recommended a death sentence for Ritchie, which the court imposed on Oct. 15, 2022.

In late 2024, Indiana performed its first execution in 15 years with the death of Joseph Corcoran. Immediately after, the state asked to set an execution date for Ritchie.