Police officers are trained to use a taser and pepper spray to subdue a person in regard to an unruly or uncooperative subject. They are trained to Never use a taser or pepper spray for a deadly force situation. If you pull a knife on a police officer I assure you he will shoot you, likewise if you attempt to pull a gun he will do the same. It is all situation dependent, if there is enough distance and a knife is involved an officer will order you to drop it. If you do not as in the case of the guy in DC outside the White House 10 years ago or so, they will shoot you. You can only use deadly force if your life is in imminent danger. If you can stop someone without using deadly force. IE your life is not in imminent danger then you will go to jail for murder be it police officer or civilian if you use your weapon.

Any person police or not that has a loaded weapon near their bed is insane and it will end up in a tragic situation. I am sorry to hear that but a reasonable person who is highly trained won't do that unless the area they live it is so dangerous that they have little choice. In which case I would move.