School Resource Officer Scot Peterson apparently thought he did a good job at Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school. Peterson is the armed Sheriff’s Deputy who stood outside the school while the shooting was taking place inside. From the NY Post:

School resource officer Scot Peterson, who resigned in disgrace from the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, was “distraught” about the shooting that killed 17 people — but believed he did his duty, according to the president of the Broward Sheriff’s Office Deputies Association.

“He believed he did a good job calling in the location, setting up the perimeter and calling in the description (of Cruz),” said the union official, Jim Bell…

The union head said he didn’t want to second-guess Peterson — but strongly suggested that failing to take on Cruz was a mistake.

“We have to act, even if that means risking our lives to save many, many more lives. I would demand that from our union members,” said Bell, still a working deputy.

Peterson was making $75,000 a year plus getting a “first responder” bonus which the Post reports probably brought his salary up to $80,000. He was also living rent-free in a trailer on the school property, part of a program intended to increase security by having cops live on the school grounds full time.

Peterson resigned the moment he was suspended for his inaction. The Post reports he will now receive a pension equivalent to 75% of his salary in his top five earning years. So this guy will be getting more than $50K a year for the rest of his life from taxpayers. I’m sure they’re thrilled about that. I really hope they find a way to take his pension away but I assume the union will oppose it, even in this case.

Fox News reported Friday that Peterson’s home was being guarded by police:

Reporters who attempted to approach the West Palm Beach home of ex-Broward County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Scot Peterson were reportedly met with resistance from at least six police officers who were standing guard outside.

“They prevented us from approaching the house,” WSVN’s Frank Guzman tweeted Thursday…

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to WTVJ that Peterson’s family requested privacy and protection following Peterson’s resignation.

Student Jenna Jorsten told WSVN that she was “in shock” Peterson stayed outside — especially after learning of unarmed teachers and students risking their lives to save others.

“If he’s the one with a gun, he should be the one out there with the gun trying to protect the kids,” she said. “Why was he hiding outside? It just makes no sense to me whatsoever. I mean it just doesn’t make sense to me at all.”

Also Friday President Trump condemned Peterson by name saying, “he certainly did a poor job, there’s no question about that.”

Update: This student witnessed Peterson cowering outside while the shots were going off:

"He was pointing his gun at nothing." Student says he watched as @browardsheriff school resource officer Scot Peterson hid behind a staircase during the Stoneman Douglas shooting. @wsvn pic.twitter.com/IWRQorRrcL

— Brian Entin (@BrianEntin) February 23, 2018

Worth pointing out that while the Coward of Broward was outside pointing his gun at a wall, two unarmed teachers were shielding kids with their bodies. So to every person who asks ‘What can teachers do if an armed guard was too afraid?’ Just remember, there were teachers who were not afraid and who did a lot more than Peterson despite having no gun and no armor.