Patrick Murphy, 57, was one of seven prison escapees who attacked Irving officer Aubrey Hawkins during a Christmas Eve robbery 19 years ago. Murphy is serving a 50-year sentenced for aggravated sexual assault when he and six other inmates broke out of maximum security in Kenedy, Texas. Mr Hawkins, 31, was shot and killed after they fled the scene of a sporting goods store.
In his final interview before his execution, Murphy admitted his guilt before declaring the only reason he was being killed was because of “vengeance”.
Speaking to CBS, he said: “I didn’t even realise shots had been fired for probably 10 or 15 minutes.
“I’m sorry. I regret what occurred.”
He added: “I’m not really afraid of death.
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“I’ve accepted that I’m really at peace with it.
“Do I want to die? Not necessarily, but I don’t want to spend the rest of my life the way I am right not.”
So far four of the escaped inmates have been executed, one other remains on death row.
He is the third inmate to be put to his death in Texas, and the fourth in the US this year.
Murphy was acting as the getaway driver on that fateful night in 2000.
The group were on the run before the incident and were captured a month later in 2001.
They were caught at a Colorado RV park where one of the other escapees had committed suicide.
Numerous appeals have been lodged upon Murphy’s behalf challenging the merits of his case and arguing that his role was lesser compared to others.