This response is for the cop haters. The normal people already know this..
The reason cops and firefighters get mentioned when they get killed in the line of duty more so than the citizen (not in all cases) is because the public for the most part, by and large understand these men and women took a job that requires them to put themselves in danger more often than the citizen in order to provide a safer neighborhood. When they get killed doing that job, the average normal citizen feels a sense of loss as well because they know the officer(s) were there for them. They appreciate that. It's really something that cop haters will never understand. But that answers your question as to why they get an article in the paper when they are killed. Contact your local paper if you have an issue with it.