A man convicted of killing a police officer in 1997 was put to death Thursday by lethal injection, despite his claims that the state’s execution method was cruel and unusual, reports the Associated Press.

Torrey Twane McNabb, 40, used his last statement to tell his mother and sister that he was unafraid and he cursed at the state, saying “I hate you ... I hate you.”

As the procedure began, he raised his middle fingers before becoming still. He was pronounced dead at 9:38 p.m. CDT, authorities said.

McNabb was convicted of killing Montgomery police officer Anderson Gordon in 1997. Prosecutors say McNabb shot Gordon five times as the officer sat in his patrol car after arriving at a traffic accident McNabb caused while fleeing a bail bondsman.