For Immediate Release
June 25, 2025
Richard Gerald Jordan Executed by the State of Mississippi

PARCHMAN, Miss. – The State of Mississippi executed Richard Gerald Jordan by lethal injection tonight at the Mississippi State Penitentiary, making him the first person to be executed in Mississippi since 2022.

Richard Jordan turned 79 years old on May 25, 2025. He was a remarkable man—a Vietnam Veteran, a man of deep faith, a pilot, a writer, an inventor, a loved family member, husband, and friend, and a force for good while in prison. Before the State executed Richard, he had received Tier Worker status in prison, a position of trust given to inmates who have shown good behavior and no record violation reports (RVRs) for a long period of time. Richard was a mentor to other inmates and known for lessening conflicts among his peers.

Richard lived by the quote that “you cannot have both love and hate in your heart at the same time.” Richard always strove to show love to those around him, and he found comfort in his last days in 1 Corinthians 13, which reminds us that a life without love, is no life at all.

Richard grew up in Petal, Mississippi, in a devout church-going family and believed in a life of service. Right out of high school, Richard volunteered to serve our country during the Vietnam War. He then remained in Vietnam to allow his younger brother to return home from the war. He served three tours of duty, volunteering for dangerous combat assignments and earning excellent evaluations. Richard was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Air Medal with 4 Oak leaf clusters, and 5 Air Medals—documenting extensive time in a helicopter in the combat theater. Richard was diagnosed with PTSD after Vietnam but continued his life of service even while in custody. Unfortunately, the jury never heard about Richard’s service to his country and his resulting PTSD before sentencing him to death.

Richard spent every day trying to make up for his crime. Until his last day, he sought only to help others. Richard, his family, and his counsel express their deep and sincere sympathy for the family of Edwina Marter.

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