But, on Monday, he would no longer be a survivor. Instead, he became a victim of senseless violence ‹ as one of the 32 people murdered in a rampage on the Virginia Tech campus.

Librescu, according to reports, was slain as he blocked the door from the gunman.

"I understand from friends that my father was a hero," his son, Joe, told Ynet. "In fact, by blocking the door with his body, he saved all the students who were in the classroom."

That his death came on Yom Hashoah, the day dedicated to the memory of victims of the Holocaust, made it all the more horrifying. A man who had survived the world's worst atrocity became the victim of yet another madman.

Monday's shooting spree stunned not only the Virginia campus, but the entire nation. Throughout the world, headlines spoke of the horror.

Debates over gun control began immediately, as did criticism of the university's actions after the first shooting. No matter what comes of those arguments, risk will remain. No authority can protect everyone from danger, nor can every parent protect his or her child.

While we can only try to minimize danger, the murders were yet another reminder of the frailty of life, that no place is entirely safe.

And, Librescu's actions were a reminder, too ‹ a reminder that there are heroes in our midst. When Union College professor Stephen Berk spoke Sunday evening at a communitywide Yom Hashoah program, he talked about the heroes of the Holocaust, encouraging us to look to them for inspiration.

At this writing, we don't how Librescu survived the Shoah, but chances were at least one hero was involved. And, this week, he became a hero to the students in his classroom ‹ likely alive today because he physically blocked the door.

Our condolences go to the families of Librescu and the others murdered. Zichronam l'bracha ‹ may their memory be for a blessing.