What you did in that school on Tuesday was an amazing act of heroism. Even after you were hurt, you continued to be the brave, selfless man we all know you are.
― David's daughter Angela, on her father's actions during the Columbine massacre
William David "Dave" Sanders (October 22, 1951 - April 20, 1999) was a computer and business teacher at Columbine for 25 years, and coach of the girls' basketball and softball teams.
During the massacre on April 20th, 1999, Dave helped save the lives of over 100 students in the school, but was unfortunately shot by Eric Harris and died a few hours later.
History[]
Early life[]
Dave was born on October 22, 1951. When he was 22 years old, he got a job working at Columbine High School as a teacher and coach.
Role in the Columbine massacre[]
Dave Sanders on the CCTV footage of the Columbine massacre.
When Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold started firing outside the school, Dave ran to the cafeteria and sounded the alarm.
He, along with two of the school's janitors, helped get more than 100 students out of the path of danger by herding them away from the shooters. He saved untold numbers of lives that day.
Death and legacy[]
Dave ran up the stairs of Columbine, where he came across Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. He ran in the opposite direction, but was shot in the torso, head and neck by Eric. He managed to get himself in a nearby science lab, where several students rushed to his aid. However, a few hours after Eric and Dylan committed suicide, Dave died from blood loss. His last words were "Tell my family I love them".
Dave was buried in Littleton's Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Since his death, Coach Dave Sanders has had a softball field at Columbine and a scholarship named after him to honor his memory and posthumously received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage.