Shot placement was a matter of chance and could only have been measured after the fact.
This is absolutely not true. The deputy was clearly aiming COM and scoring hits. Saying that shot placement was a matter of chance would lead one to believe he was shooting wild, which he wasn't.
All of his shots were NOT by chance, they were obviously aimed and controlled. A tribute to the Deputy and his training.
As mentioned earlier, most officers never even have to use their weapons. In this scenario you have a young man, who happened to stumble upon this scene on his way to his shift. From what I read in the paper he did not receive a call.
He placed himself between a highly agitated aggressor and civilians, took control and brought a dangerous situation to an end. We have to conclude the Deputy's adrenalin was at an all time high, he was nervous and concerned. When the first three rounds appear to have little affect, he unloaded. The Deputy never deviated from training. All shots went COM; I would wager those last 8 or 9 shot in somewhat of a panic.
I also do not believe that caliber was a factor in this scenario. A persons brain does not cease function instantly upon blood loss.
In most instances, shock, tissue rupture, and nerve damage contribute to the anoxic sudden deprivation of blood to the brain. There are many examples of people being shot in vital places, yet they continue to run, talk, and function for many minutes. Most times, it is shock that incapacitates a victim.
In this case, by some miracle, the shots did not interrupt the nerve connection between brain and muscle. His entire chest cavity could have been blown out and he would keep coming for a few seconds simply due to the hyped up condition of his brain.
I suppose one could argue that a .45, or .44 magnum, or .50 s and w would have shattered his spine and stopped him instantly. But then again maybe not. Like I said above, I believe this guy was already dead after the first few rounds. It was simply crazed will power keeping him going.