jvldss- let's not blame it on the guns. Criminals are criminals. You have to go through a background check to get them. They will find another way to harm someone. Pretty easy for a criminal to steal a gun. They are criminals after all.

And once again...why are handguns so accessible to those individuals who should not have them?

br549, your level of insight is amazing! You offer a real solution to all of the cops and soldiers who are traumatized by combat.
Simply tell them they are in the wrong profession if it bothers them that someone is trying to kill them or they have to take a life. Nice work you compassionate piece of... humanity.

We all worry about the officer being tramatized...why? He/she is a hero. If a doctor saves a life is he/she tramatized? By wondering it outloud we suggest he/she should feel bad, they shouldnt. This officer should feel satisfaction at having done a job well and for saving a life.

I see your point Nurse4u, but if I was his family - I would be ashamed, embarrassed, and thankful he didn't kill anyone.

It's a sad situation that could have ended with many more deaths than just his own.

interested party, maybe she should have done a better job of raising him.

Yes the police officer was doing his job. He protected the community in a very dangerous and potentially life threatening situation. He did what he was trained to do. He protected himself and his fellow officer. Even knowing that, I am sure he is traumatized and he has to deal with the psychological affects of taking another human being's life and I hope he finds peace.
+
BUT please remember that the family of this deceased individual does not need to see comments that state what kind of person he was. I am sure the family too, is very traumatized. They just lost a son, perhaps a brother and perhaps a father.
+
I am in no way defending him, but just stating think of his family when you post.

one less scumbag on the streets

Your stupid enough to shoot at a cop your going to get killed. It's to bad that it happened but, he was just doing his job.

Real intelligent individual. Weeding out the dumb ones. Hats off to the officer.

It sounds like the officer had little choice in the matter, but people please keep in mind before you say stupid crap that, somewhere out there some poor mother is burying her 25 year old child this week.

The officer did what he was trained to do. Goodjob

What did he think was going to happen?

Unfortunately, that officer is only 27 years old. Many go their entire careers without even shooting their guns while on the job. Hopefully, this doesn't leave him psychologically scarred.

One down, and several more to go. One less deviant the tax payers needs to worry about.