According to the other article linked somewhere on this thread, the man is still suffering from his injuries. I understand your concern about taxpayer dollars. (See my screenname.) But, the victim is entitled to some kind of restitution. Maybe police officers should carry insurance to cover potential victims in cases like this one....? Just a thought. Or do they already?
This case sounds terrible. The homeowner did everything he was supposed to do, and then LE messed up completely. Glad to hear he survived at least.
I’m also glad he survived. Actual damages, actual costs... I can easily be convinced of. I don’t have a problem with that, where negligence and fault can be found. I have a problem with “punitive” damages: Money awarded merely to punish, and “pain and suffering” costs which really make accidents and tragedies turn into ‘get rich schemes’ that quickly drain my sympathy for their actual damages.