Once again, spark, you have hit the nail on the head!! I totally agree.

The only people that ever give the police a hard time about anything, are those that have had run-ins or problems with the law in the past. That explains a lot. Enough said.

sarac53545- Are you kidding me? You have no idea the affect shooting someone has on a police officer! Like they just shoot people and worry about the details later....GIVE ME A BREAK!

Well said Glock!

I love sarac53545 and the others who believe that police officers like to shoot people. They are human beings just like the rest of us, except they have the stress of having a job that puts a big target on their backs from the get go, couple that with idiots, drunks and just plain mean nasty people, and they really have to have their guard up. They have the right to defend themselves if they feel they are in danger of loosing their life, just like we do. They just have the unlucky task of responding to the danger instead of running from it, so we hear about police shooting more then citizen related self defense shootings. They want to go home to their loved ones unharmed at the end of their shift, just like we do at our jobs. If all you police bashers feel you can do a better job than the professionally trained, certified officers then get your police science degree, become a cop and show us how it is really done!!! If not, then shut up and be glad that there is someone else willing to protect your sorry arse while you whine about the way they save your worthless butt.

Hey Gazette, it would help those who speculate, if you printed the entire story that explains a heck of a lot more than this. Madison news has way more info. The two fought and a weapon was pulled by the criminal.

sarac53545 - Did you not read the part about the officer investigating an "ARMED" robbery. Obviously the perp had a weapon.

When you are stopped by a police person be coopertive and you won't get hurt!

OK GUYS IT REALLY DON'T MATTER WHATEVER THE COP DID IT WILL BE JUSTIFIED. ITS A COP. EVEN IF THE MAN HAD NOTHING IN HIS HAND, HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ROBBERY. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE COP SAID HE SAW SOMETHING IN HIS HAND

Thanks cynical...I did read the article. I hope for the officers sake it was a real firearm...makes it a bit easier is all. I feel a tad bit sorry for the family. MPD saved a lot of $$ on this one...good job!! My prayers go out to the officer involved and his family hopefully this will be found "officially justified" soon and he can get back to regular duty.

Cardtrader I believe was just asking a question...now he is informed. Weapon, Intent, delivery system....TAKE HIM!! Helge is right on the money. One less burden on the court system. In todays day and world we need to save $$ somewhere. This was cheap.

Read the full story in the Madison paper.

lol you people are nuts, no they do NOT have to identify anything in the split second they have to make that decision when a suspect turns a gun on them. If they had to stop and announce they were going to shoot or identify themselves we would have alot of dead police officers.

Do the crime pay the price

Let the second guessing begin.

Ok, police do not have to announce ANYTHING if they believe they are placed in imminent danger. Police officers have a right to self defense just like any other person. The story stated that a weapon was displayed, it doesnt state how. If it was pointed at the officer, the guy is gonna get shot...period. When the suspect makes that move, they have already made up the officers mind and the training kicks in. Also the limited story indicates that the suspect matched the description of an armed robber, which means weapon...the threat level from this indivdual is already elevated in the officers mind. I know laws in different states vary, but this will come down to case law that was established in the U.S. Supreme Court. From what I could find and the totality of the circumstances, matching description, physical resistance, and the brandishment of a weapon..possibly turning towards the officer with a weapon after showing signs of aggression, I would have to say good job. I just hope that the Officer is provided the assistance that he/she needs. All you brothers and sisters in blue take care, be safe.

Yes they do have to identify and warn before firing. If what the officer said happened did, then he was justified in his actions.

Thanks Janesvillecomments all I did was ask a question and all these other people are hating.

Cardtrader, the story says "officer was investigating an armed robbery". That implies:
1. he or she wasn't a plainclothes detective.
2. he or she was on duty, and therefore in uniform.
3. unless the person stopped is a child and the weapon has a bright orange plug on the business end, the officer is well within his/her rights to shoot.
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If we were going to jump to conclusions, why wouldn't we assume the suspect was clinically depressed and "committing suicide by cop"?
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The Channel 3 web site had a few more details at 11:00pm Wednesday. The officer is male, a neighborhood witness observed the officer stop the suspect, yell some commands at him and try to restrain him before he broke away, took a few steps and turned with something in his hand.
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That additional information sounds like adequate grounds for assuming the officer shot in self-defense.

Well, last I heard, they DID have to announce the fact they were law enforcement and they held a weapon... unless, of course, it was self-defense-- a rather loose term these days by society.

So Cardtrader, It was the Police Officers fault? Paleeze. Try living without "Cops".

cardtrader you watch too much tv. They have never had to say that.

Would you waste the time if someone was point a gun at you??? ummm NO

Do the Police have to yell STOP BEFORE I SHOOT anymore?