Not too worried about the downvotes, cops aren't really popular with the usual Reddit crowd.

Yeah, it's definitely a different standard but also different circumstances. I would translate the "feeling threatened" to "positive ID, Positive Intent." I recognize that the suspect has the ability to do harm and intends to cause it.

I always explain it as "If I don't shoot, there is a high likelyhood that me or someone else will be killed." I would never say "I'm in fear for my life.

Additionally, case law allows us to respond with greater force than we are presented with. Basically this. Sorry if that website is kinda fucky.