Does it need to die to become a hero?

I think a person need not to die before he or she becomes a hero. The OFWs are considered heroes because they sacrifice being away with their loved ones to earn enough money for them and give them a better future. Heroes are also the soldiers, the public teachers, the public health and volunteer workers. Our mothers are our living heroes too. There are many heroes that we realize they are while they are still alive.

I think that this only applies to saints. One has to die before becoming a Saint, but all a hero has to do is do something extraordinary, not considering their own needs, just the needs to do good for others. For example, I was a hero the night I ran into my neighbour's apartment, and pulled him away from a guy who had a knife, pulled my neighbour into my apartment, locked us both in there, and called the police.