Students honor Hanford principal who took his own life

HANFORD, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Hanford principal who took his own life Monday was remembered Wednesday night at a local high school.

Students filled the air with balloons while standing around the pool of Hanford West High School. It was part of candlelight vigil to remember Greg Henry, the

Sierra Pacific High School principal and former water polo coach who was found dead after an apparent suicide.

"He's by far one of the best men I've ever known," student Nathaniel Oberst said.

Oberst said Henry was the first principal he had who was dedicated and invested in his students' lives.

"There are a few people out there who put cares of others before themselves and I feel like and I fee like he cared about his students and teachers before his own needs," he said.

Melissa Lopez feels the same way. She tells us if it weren't for Henry, she would have never graduated.

"At the last minute I found out I was down five credits and without those five credits I would have never graduated and he sat in the classroom after he was off of work and he helped me go through every single packet and test and made sure I passed it," she remembered.

Investigators said the beloved man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

It's a familiar story for Barbara Breen. She manages the Central Valley Suicide Prevention Hotline, which covers all of the valley counties. She wants those contemplating suicide to know there are people who are always on stand-by, waiting to help.

"All they need to do is call there's a wonder person on the other end of the line that is totally confidential phone call they can just call and talk to them and hopefully deescalate," she said.

Students here said regardless of how Henry died, they will always remember the life that he lived.

"He cared for others and that's the memory I will keep with me," Oberst said.

"We're going to miss him he was always there no matter what," Lopez said.