The front-page article, “Dead man’s sister: He was off his medication,” on Sept. 27 said the man, Paul A. Fritze, “was shot when he confronted Maine State Police.”

It is interesting to note that Fritze “allegedly entered the house and opened fire at two occupants, both of whom fled uninjured.”

I have a hard time understanding how a person can enter a house and fire a weapon at close range and not injure anyone.

Having so noted, it comes to mind that if a person is intent on committing suicide, he should just take a few shots in the direction of someone, wait until it’s reported and the police arrive, and then go out and wave his weapon in front of them. Amen, brother.

Although this may be a very effective way to commit assisted suicide, it’s not very efficient.

Consider the cost of getting all those emergency personnel to the scene, the cost of analysis and preparation of reports, the cost of review by the Attorney General’s Office, etc., etc.

It would be more efficient, and thus incur less burden on the taxpayers, to establish a place where one who is intent on committing suicide could go, wave a weapon in front of a law officer and be shot dead.

Alternatively, maybe we could use a little more training and discipline, of our law enforcement folks to avoid their being a partner in assisted suicide.

Having said the above, I have the highest respect for our law enforcement community.

They risk their lives and health in what is a high risk and frequently underappreciated occupation.

I am a student of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality process. It teaches us that problems usually reside in the process, not the implementers.

Charles Packard

Chelsea