Dave Sanders

William David Sanders was born on October 22, 1951 in Eldorado, IL, and died on April 20, 1999 in a science storage room at Columbine High School at the age of 48. Dave was a beloved teacher and coach at Columbine High School for 25 years. Hired at 22, he taught business, computer classes, and coached girls' basketball and softball.

He left behind a wife, four children, and five grandchildren.

Dave Sanders' Funeral and Gravesite

Dave's family kept his burial private, but held an open funeral for him at Trinity Christian Center on April 26, 1999. His funeral was led by senior pastor Billy Epperhart, who also led the services for Corey DePooter, Rachel Scott, and Steven Curnow.

The Shooting Begins

When the shooting began around 11:20 a.m., Mr. Sanders was in the teacher's lounge, which was connected to the cafeteria. He stepped outside briefly to see what was going on and ran back inside to warn students about the gunmen outside. After yelling at students to get out of the cafeteria, Sanders helped another teacher pull an injured Sean Graves into the doorway

In Memoriam

After his death, a softball field was named after coach Sanders

Sanders was awarded the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage.

Autopsy Report

Sanders' autopsy report was written by Michael J. Doberson, M.D., Ph.D., a Forensic Pathologist and Corner/Medical Examiner for Arapahoe County on May 18, 1999. His autopsy states the following:

PATHOLOGICAL DIAGNOSES

1. Perforating gunshot wound to the neck and head with:

• Entrance, left lower neck.
• Exit, right upper lip.
• Partial transection of the left internal carotid artery.
• Laceration of the tongue and avulsion of multiple teeth.
• Associated hemorrhages.

2. Perforating gunshot wound to the trunk with:

• Entrance, right upper back.
• Exit, right upper chest.
• Fracture of the right clavicle.
• Partial transection of the right subclavian vein.
• Associated hemorrhage.

OPINION

This 48-year old man sustained gunshot wounds at the high school in which he was a teacher. He died a short time later at the scene. His death is attributed to multiple vascular lacerations due to perforating gunshot wounds to the neck/head and trunk. Toxicology analysis of body fluids obtained at the time of autopsy were negative. In view of the scene and circumstances surrounding the death and autopsy findings, the manner of death is classified as homicide.

Lawsuits

One of the most interesting allegations in the Sanders lawsuit was that a SWAT sharpshooter had Dylan Klebold in his sights, asked to take a head shot, and was told to stand down by his supervisor. Another allegation claims that the unnamed sharpshooter witnessed both Harris and Klebold die in the library, which means police knew the shooting was over hours before Sanders died and failed to rescue him.