Death penalty sidenote:
Generally, a perpetrator can't get the death penalty for only killing 1 person. Needs to have an aggravating factor such as multiple murders, commission of another felony (usually enumerated, such as rape, arson, burglary, something like that). I do not believe any of those other aggravators apply to this situation.
Somewhat ironically, killing a police officer - just one - is usually an aggravator. So, while the officer is probably not eligible for the death penalty, if the victim had killed the officer, he would be.
(I understand the risk that this observation may send this thread into a downward spiral, but that doesn't mean it isn't true.)
Did not know that. That being said I will settle for life in prison without parole, and he has to be in Gen Pop the entire time wearing a uniform that says EX-COP on it.