Hmm, the life of a 65 year old man weighed against the lives of 17, most of them children. Geez, there is no question here. Peterson should have rushed to the gunfire! Furthermore, I think it a little unusual that you and "Jean" would assume that the proper response by Peterson would have meant his automatic death. I'm going to give the very seasoned and highly experienced deputy the definite edge in a face to face even though he was outgunned. It only takes one well aimed bullet to take someone out. Besides all that, Cruz was probably too busy in his murder orgy to even notice Peterson until it was to late.
I will disagree with anyone that thinks Peterson did the right thing hiding outside while children were being indiscriminatley murdered inside.