Shooting cops is a quicker path toward gun control than shooting kids.
The amount of shock and horror by the media/public whenever a cop is killed (as opposed to a civilian) always baffles me. It's absolutely terrible whenever anyone is killed, but it's a risk they take being a police officer.
At least here in Seattle, the sympathy/attention seems disproportionate.
1. Police officer gunned down in the line of duty. Massive new stories, vigils, college funds set up for their kids, state government enacts new legislation to protect first responders, etc.
2. Regular innocent person is shot and killed. One or two nights of news coverage, then nothing.