Virginia Tech - Prof. Liviu Librescu

A true hero...and Holocaust survivor, gave his life to save his students. Story from People Magazine:

Librescu, a Holocaust survivor, moved toward the classroom door, blocking it with his body.

ANDREYEV: His English was not good, and it must have been hard for him to communicate in this situation, so he talked to us with his hands. He used his hands to tell us to get back. We heard the sounds getting closer. The shots were moving toward us, down the hallway.

Andreyev grabbed Librescu and tried to pull him to safety, but the 76-year-old professor refused to budge.

ANDREYEV: He pushed me back. He stood at the door and wouldn't move. He pushed me toward the back of the room, a corner. He himself would not move. He just stood there.

Prof. Liviu LibrescuCOVER STORY: Virginia Tech Witnesses Recall Chaos| Virginia Tech Shootings
As the gunman moved from classroom to classroom, Gene Cole managed to escape by dashing for the building's rear stairwell. Housekeeper Pam Tickle was safe as well. She and coworkers locked themselves in a student lounge and waited out the gunfire. Meanwhile, in Norris 204, Professor Librescu continued to barricade the doorway as his students escaped.

MALLALIEU: I think 12 or 15 students went out the windows. Four students and our professor were in the room when the gunman got in. I think all four are going to be okay. But our professor died.

ANDREYEV: He saved everyone in the classroom. He saved our lives. As I got ready to jump out the window, I turned back to look at the professor. He just stood there, holding the door. The last I saw him, he was blocking the door.