who was Sakumo hatake?

Sakumo Hatake was one of the most powerful shinobi of hidden leaf village. He was the father of Sixth hokage Kakashi Hatake.
Sakumo Hatake was feared as the White Fang of the Leaf among all the vilages. But unfortunately , we cannot see his abilities in the naruto series , what he was capable of. During one mission , he was left to choose between Mission and his Comrades. Abandoning the mission , he saved his comrades which led to great loss to the hidden leaf village. He was criticized by all the villagers along with the comrades he saved. Later , he could not bear that and killed himself. Sakumo was the true shinobi because : In shinobi world , who do not follow rules are regarded as scum but who abandon their comrades are worse than scum.