Friends said he kept an eye on the students.
"He was so worried about kids' safety. When there was ice on the sidewalk, he'd come up and tell us in the school so we would come up and make sure the kids wouldn't fall. He always thought about the kids more than himself," Principal Cathy Fithian told KCUR.
Nill was seen pushing the students out of the way of a car, which hit him instead, on Tuesday, KCUR reported.
The children ran into the school to tell teachers that a car had hit Nill, KCUR reported.
He later died of the injuries he suffered in the crash.
"He gave his life for the kids today," Fithian told KCUR.
Police said the driver, who was not identified, stayed at the scene, KMBC reported. He was later taken to an area hospital, KCUR reported.
"We don't know if it was speeding, distracted driving or some type of intoxication was the factor," Officer Jonathan Westbrook told KCUR.
The children Nill saved received counseling Tuesday before they went home with their parents.
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