Memphis Cop Killed

From the Memphis Commercial Appeal:
For the third time in barely more than four years, a Memphis police officer has been shot and killed in the line of duty.
Sean Bolton died from multiple gunshot wounds after he was shot just after 9:15 p.m. while conducting a traffic stop at Cottonwood and Perkins in Parkway Village Saturday night.
Bolton was rushed to the Regional Medical Center, but was pronounced dead there.  The suspect, apparently an occupant of the car that was pulled over, was still at large late Saturday.
Dozens of officers from  the Memphis Police Department gathered outside the hospital in a grim vigil Saturday night, waiting for news about Bolton, who served in the Marines. Officers from other departments, including the Shelby County Sheriff and the state troopers, joined them in a show of support.
In a briefing outside Regional Medical Center, Police Director Toney Armstrong told the media that a citizen used the officer’s radio to call for help. The officer was hit with  multiple gunshots, he said.
“The suspect is still at large and officers are in the area trying to locate him at this time,” Armstrong said. “We are using all the means available to use to find the people responsible for this.”
Mayor A C  Wharton said this tragedy emphasizes the dangers of the job.
“This speaks volumes about he inherent dangers of police work,” Wharton said.
Bolton, who graduated from White Station High School in 1999, served a tour in Iraq. He studied political science at the University of Memphis.
Bolton served as best man at his brother Brian's wedding at Woodland Presbyterian Church on Park Ave. on June 20. Less than two weeks after that wedding, Bolton's father died on July 2, according to his Facebook page.  http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/local-news/crime/memphis-police-officer-shot-during-traffic-stop
This is one of the reasons why I take very little pity on thugs who get shot by the cops.  They (most) posed danger to the cops by running or fighting.
And the cops have to make split second decisions whether to shoot or not. 
And it makes me wonder, if this cop feared that he may have faced unfair criticism If he would have pulled and shot the thug before the thug had a chance to kill him.
Sadly, that is what the cops are facing now, from black racists like Obama and on down to the fools and tools who protest on the street- unfair criticism and criminal charges based on politics instead of facts.
RIP to the officer and prayers to his family, friends and fellow police officers.