John Proctor: Hero or Stooge?

The main topic right now in my English class is the character John Proctor. For those who do not know who Proctor is, he is a character from "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller. He is Farmer in the late 1670's with a wife, two sons, and a jar full of secrets. He had an affair with his wife, and the reverend of the town looks down on him because he isn't that big on the church idea. He doesn't go the church every Sunday, he hasn't baptized his child, and he only knows nine of the ten commandments (he ironically missed the commandment about adultery when the a reverend asked him to recite them!). He was also accused of witchery, along with practically half of the town. With, this evidence and information of John Proctor, lets see if he is a Hero or a stooge.

Hero:
John Proctor can be seen as a hero throughout the story. He didn't "kiss and tell" when he had his affair, which saved the reputation of his mistress. He also didn't snitch on anybody. The thing about witch trials is that is you do not commit to witchery, you die. If you do, you must say who else is with the devil. He rather die than accuse someone else for something that he didn't do, and when he does, he rips the proof that says that he confessed.

Stooge:
Is Proctor a stooge? Does he allow himself to be used just for the services of the town. If he had not had an affair with the niece of the reverend, would he have been suspicious of witchery? By modern definition, a stooge is defined as a "puppet", as in you are being used. Did the town use John Proctor as bait for those who were originally been accused of witchery?

I personally think Proctor is an honest, honorable, hero. He risked his own life to end the paranoia of witchery. But that is only my opinion, not a fact and it should not persuade you to yours.