I was with you up to that point. IMHO, there is no difference between a thug who shoots a store employee for a few bucks and the one who shoots a police officer in an attempt to save his own sorry a$$. In fact the former is likely a greater danger to the public, because he killed when his own life or freedom was not perceived to be at risk.
I was referring to instances in which the perp panics (often because the vic has refused to compy and fights back), not when the perp intentionally shoots an unarmed grocer or store employee. That perp is definately a danger to the public and should warrant a massive police response. And, when I refer to massive I'm talking about situations like this perp in Florida. A large police response to a killing of a grocer or store employee where the perp has panicked would, IMHO, be warranted. My comments shouldn't be construed to mean that I don't think police should respond in large numbers, but was meant as commentary on what usually happens.
I have consistently held the opinion that the same resources ought be used to stop the killer of the convenience store clerk(who is likely unarmed by order of his employer and whose family will get little of the outpouring of community help the police officer gets.)