Dave was a very important person, coach and teacher for many of us. He was a true hero that saved many, many students lives that day.

Father, teacher, coach, friend.

Hero.

No one who spoke at Dave Sanders' funeral Monday was a bit surprised that he sacrificed his life to save others -- hundreds of others.

"We could expect no other actions from him that day, because that was Dave," his friend and fellow Columbine High coach Rick Bath said to 3,000 well-wishers at Trinity Christian Center. "I truly believe God put Dave in that dangerous situation because he knew that Dave would save the children."

Many details of Tuesday's killings at Columbine High School remain a jumble.

But on a few things, everyone agrees:

Basketball coach Dave Sanders was the first to alert hundreds of students to the two gunmen, the first to take control, his big, booming voice commanding frightened students to hit the floor and stay there.

Dave Sanders was the man who wouldn't flee, who ran from classroom to classroom warning students to hide, run or take cover.

It was Sanders who threw his body in front of bullets to save his students. For three hours, students tried to staunch the blood flowing from Sanders' gunshot wounds, but he died before SWAT team members reached him.

On Monday, student after student walked to the podium in tears and thanked the man with the perpetual smile.

"I was sitting downstairs in the cafeteria eating my lunch," said Laura Salerno. "And I could see Mr. Sanders by the window and his face was so serious. It was because of him I ducked under a table.

"I just wanted to thank him because he saved my life."

Student Paul Freeman recalled Sanders running, yelling for him to get down. "I had him third hour. He was such a great guy. He saved my life."

"We're all better people for knowing him," Bath said. "The world is a better place because of Dave. Let's become better people, make an even better world."

Principal Frank DeAngelis said Sanders "found the way to find the good in every situation. He made me a better person."

Student Lindsey Dowling told Sanders' widow, Linda, and his three daughters, Cindy, Angela and Connie, that on Tuesday morning he spoke to his class about how much he loved his family and his grandchildren.

"I truly believe he saved my life," Lindsay said. "He was the one who saved all of us."

Alumni -- former jocks and former outcasts -- also spoke of how he changed their lives:

Chris Buckner, who ran the hurdles, returned to say 'thank you.'

A '95 graduate thanked Sanders for being a second father to him at a time in his life when he couldn't talk to his first.

Paul Spielman won the Spirit of Columbine Award in 1979 for his exploits in basketball. "But I truly think that Dave's spirit truly is the Spirit of Columbine," he said through tears.

Teacher Joe Marshall recalled that the Columbine coaches would joke that they bleed blue and silver -- the team colors. "Dave on Tuesday bled the ultimate blue and silver. He will never ever be taken from us. His spirit, his strength, his kindness will be with us always," Marshall said.

Sanders' grandchildren talked about the hugs and kisses, and the great snacks he would prepare for them.

Daughter Angela read a letter to her father in which she told him he had always been her hero: "You're the greatest daddy, husband, coach, mentor anyone could ever hope for. I'll always remember our talks on the porch. Your advice will stay with me always.

"What you did in that school on Tueseday was an amazing act of heroism. Even after you were hurt, you continued to be the brave, selfless man we all know you are."

Angela said, "Our family has vowed to make sure that the grandkids never forget their grandpa. We'll miss everything about you, especially your bright smile that could light up a room."