The ending and a pardon for James Cole?

Rating: 9/10 (7 August 2007)

I think that the reason that the scientists let Cole go after the man with the virus and get shot is that by that time they know he will be shot and killed and want him to be. This is because they can now change the future knowing who has the virus.
Cole will grow up in a world where the virus has not escaped or at least controlled due to them now having a cure because they take a sample.
This will in effect have Cole as an 8 year old still alive and not having to go through what he had to before and that is his real pardon for the work he has done for humanity. he will know nothing of the things he has had to do and grow up normally.
What do you think? Are there any problems with that statement?