Most people don't really "understand" how the law works. The law doesn't necessarily care what people think is right, or moral. The law only cares about each citizen of this country having equal rights and fair treatment. That means everyone regardless of how we feel about them.

The question here is, "Was the deceased wrongfully killed?" Regardless of the surrounding circumstances, the wife has a right to sue if she believes the cop did not act accordingly. If the officer didn't follow procedure, or take an alternative means to remedy the situation without gunfire, it can be possible that he did wrongly murder this man.

Cases like this get started because it is not anyone's right to deny other's their legal rights. It isn't our job to judge. The law has to be equal to everyone, despite how stupid you may think this particular situation is. That man, no matter how criminal he was, has the right to not be shot to death.

I'm not particularly defending this woman and her claims. I am just saying, if this police officer broke procedure or could have done something different, she has a right to know that. If this police officer didn't follow procedure, she has the right to be compensated for her dead husband. It may not seem right to you, but it isn't our job to judge her actions just because she was the one who called. Using that line of logic....

Had you called 911 in a domestic disturbance and all you wanted was for the cop to ask the other person to leave. Things escalate and the cop shoots your significant other. Did you intend for things to get out of hand? No. You just wanted help. Now, lets say that the officer, without warning, just shoots your significant other. Is it your fault, then, that your significant other is dead? Did you call the police with the intention and knowledge that your significant other would be shot? Because that is what you are saying. That it is this woman's fault he is dead because she called for help in a situation she couldn't control. If it is her fault, then she shouldn't have the right to sue? In the eyes of the law, that isn't a correct assumption.

The law is going to ask, "Was this man wrongfully killed?" Because she has every right to know that. Just as you would if you found yourself in the same situation. It isn't up to us to decide the fate of other human beings or judge it based on an article we read in a paper. She may have a legitimate claim.