The former fire chief who was killed at a rally for Donald Trump in Pennsylvania spent his final moments diving for his family, shielding them from gunfire that rang out Saturday during an assassination attempt on the former president.
Corey Comperatore’s quick decision to use his body as a shield from the bullets whizzing toward his wife and daughter was music to the ears of close friends and neighbors who loved and respected the proud 50-year-old Trump supporter, who noted that the Butler County resident was a “man of conviction.”
“He’s a true hero. He pushed his family out of the way and was killed for them,” said Mike Morehouse, who has lived next door to Comperatore for the past eight years. “He’s a hero I wish I had as a neighbor.”
Comperatore died Saturday while attempting to kill Trump at Saturday’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. At least two other people were injured: David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State Police said. Both were in stable condition Sunday.
As support for the Comeratore family began to pour in from across the country, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden also offered their “deepest condolences.”
“He was a father. He protected his family from the bullets that were fired and he lost his life, God love him,” Biden said, adding that he prayed for the full recovery of the wounded.
Separately, Texas U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson said in a statement Sunday that his nephew was injured, but “fortunately his injury was not serious.”
“My family was sitting up front, right where the president was speaking,” Jackson said. “They heard shots — my nephew realized that he had blood on his neck and that something had cut and grazed his neck. He was being treated by the medical workers in the medical tent.”
The suspected gunman, who struck from a high position outside the meeting venue, was killed, the Secret Service said.
The former president was showing a chart of border-crossing figures as at least five shots were fired. Trump was seen holding his ear and lying on the ground. Agents quickly closed in on him with a shield. When he stood up, his face bloodied, he pumped his fist at cheering supporters as he was escorted from the stage by Secret Service agents.
Trump later offered his condolences to Comperatore’s family.
Randy Reamer, president of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department, called Comperatore “a steadfast guy” and “a true brother to the fire department.” He said Comperatore served as chief of the company for about three years but was also a life member, meaning he had served for more than 20 years.
“Just a great all-rounder, always willing to help someone out,” Reamer said of Comperatore. “He absolutely stood up for what he believed in, never gave up on anyone. … He was a really good guy.”
On Sunday, a fire crew was cleaning up the front of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company with plans to hang a memorial banner in memory of the slain former fire chief.
Sarver’s deputy director Ricky Heasley, who knew Comperatore for more than a decade, remembered him as very outgoing and full of zest for life.
“He never said a bad word,” Heasley said.
And in the front yard of the Comperatores’ two-story home in Butler County, a small memorial had been erected, consisting of an American flag and small bunches of flowers.
For Morehouse, Comperatore’s death was an emotional blow — but it also inspired political action. Morehouse says he plans to vote for the first time in November, and he plans to check Trump’s name.
“As soon as I heard what happened and when I heard it was Corey, I went up as soon as I got home and registered to vote,” Morehouse said. “This is the first time I’ve ever voted and I think it will be in his memory.”
A GoFundMe campaign to support Comperatore’s family had raised more than $480,000 in donations as of Sunday.