Dawn Hochsprung, Sandy Hook Principal, Mourned After School Shooting

The astonishing Connecticut school shooting Friday claimed the lives of 26 people in Newtown, Conn., will be tragically remembered for the 20 small children slain.

Six adults were also killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School, however, notably Dawn Hochsprung, the principal and a committed educator beloved by students.

The principal died trying to protect the students she cared for every day.

The gunman, identified as 20-year-old Adam Lanza, started his rampage in the school's main office, where Hochsprung had reportedly come out of a meeting.

Hochsprung was killed in the shooting, the horrific sound of which was reportedly broadcast over the school's PA system around 9:40 a.m. Friday morning.

"She was really nice and fun, but was also very much a tough lady in the right sense," Tom Prunty, a friend whose niece goes to Sandy Hook and was uninjured, told CNN.

"She was the kind of person you'd want to be educating your kids. And the kids loved her."

In all, the death toll has reached 28 total: 20 children, six adults - including Dawn Hochsprung - Adam Lanza and his mother, Nancy, who he shot at another location.

Our hearts go out to all those impacted by the Connecticut school shooting.