John Sawchuk, former Columbia High principal, died

Picture: East Greenbush School District

East Greenbush school officials say former High School Principal John Sawchuk has died.

He was principal from 2006 to 2018, when he retired.

After his retirement, he moved to North Carolina with his family.

Sawchuk was well-known in the school and East Greenbush community.

To the greater Capital Region, he was also well-known for being a hero in a school shooting in 2004.

He was assistant principal then, when a student came into the school with a shotgun and opened fire.

The gunman shot a teacher, who survived.

Sawchuk tackled the shooter and helped to wrestle away the gun.

School officials say Sawchuk died unexpectedly yesterday. No funeral arrangements have been announced yet.