Even worse, the system is setup to punish those who end a crime spree. Basically, the political establishment and judicial system have shown us that if we take out one of their own, they will punish us and our families, and will support any criminal who does us harm. So it's come to the point of a great personal sacrifice to do what the system should have taken care of years before.

Also, when the criminal justice system works, it's not a personal thing - they are doing their jobs. Taking another person's life is not an easy thing to live with - ask anyone who has ever had to do it.