Police officers are trained to defend themselves with deadly force only. They do not aim for appendages as a rule. The standard procedure was followed if the man did not drop his weapon. The form of weapon is immaterial. It could be a hunk of Jello, but as soon as it is used to smother a cop, it is a weapon and deadly force is warranted.

The training given and SOP's followed, are cookie cutter devices used in an unpredictable world. Sometimes the square piece must be pounded into the circle.