I hate living in a police state as well, and I say that after having worn a badge for 23 years. My point regarding methods of killing a suspect was only that if it is truly necessary, than the method no longer matters. In this case I think my old agency would most likely have surrounded the cabin and waited out the suspect, regardless of how long it took. But that isn’t necessarily the only valid method of dealing with this particular suspect. The media focused on his threats against the police, and pretty much glossed over his first 2 murders, which were a lovely young, innocent woman and her fiance. There was nothing valiant about that, and as the father of 3 lovely young women, I have no problem with the way in which this coward met his end. Situational ethics? Of course. But I defy anyone to defend anything this guy did, morally or legally.
Its not about defending his actions. Its about not wanting to live in a country where the cops can shoot anyone they want without fear.
Say, I know this is off topic a bit on this thread, but since you're an ex-badge, do you hold your brethren who fired on innocents to the same standard?
Just askin....