The words hero and coward are being tossed a bit too easily here. Peterson proved himself a coward, doubtless, but had he entered he still would have quite a way to go to prove a hero. Ordinary folks would beat that door down to get inside and do something.
An armed cop would simply be doing his job and could not apply for any of his former heroic awards. If he sneaked up on the shooter and shot him in the back I would applaud him for his cunning and effectiveness but not heroism, exactly.
Someone needs to redo the Kenny Rogers coward song...
