Thousands of people have paid their respects to a former fire chief who was shot dead during the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.
The former president sent a note of condolence praising Corey Comperatore as a hero, a copy of which was displayed during the visit.
He did not attend the memorial service, which was the second of two public events to commemorate and celebrate Comperatore’s life.
A private funeral at Cabot Church in Butler, Pennsylvania, began Friday with Comperatore’s flag-draped casket being carried inside by firefighters.
The flag-draped casket containing Corey Comperatore’s body is carried by firefighters to his private funeral at Cabot Church in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Corey Comperatore was killed by an assassin’s bullet when eight shots were fired at Trump on Saturday night, one of which hit the former president and others hit rally attendees.
His body was carried to the church in a large procession of emergency vehicles, especially fire trucks, that drove through Sarver, Pennsylvania.
Trump will not attend the funeral because of Secret Service concerns, according to a source who was not authorized to speak publicly.
Hundreds of people gathered for a vigil in his honor at a racetrack in Freeport, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday and then at a banquet hall on Thursday.
Thursday’s crowd appeared to be a mix of friends, neighbors and strangers who wanted to show their appreciation for the man who authorities say spent his final moments shielding his wife and daughter from gunfire at a campaign rally.
Fire trucks and police vehicles filled the parking lot outside the building.
Shooters were positioned on the upper level of the event hall and nearby buildings as people, including firefighters in dress uniforms, waited in line to enter.
Comperatore, 50, worked as a project and tool engineer, was an Army reservist and spent many years as a volunteer firefighter after serving as chief, according to His obituary.
Trump suffered an ear injury but was not seriously hurt and has been participating in the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week.
People ride motorcycles during an emergency vehicle procession through Sarver, Pennsylvania, carrying the casket with the body of Corey Comperatore
Trump honored Comperatore during his Thursday night speech accepting the party’s presidential nomination, displaying his firefighting gear on the convention stage, kissing his helmet and praising the former chief as “an incredible person.”
Trump said a fund for Comperatore’s family and the two men injured in the attack has raised more than $6 million.
Mourners filled Laube Hall, a space with white brick walls, white tablecloths, white curtains and exposed wooden beams that is typically used for weddings and other celebratory occasions.
Guests walked past a large framed photograph of Comperatore holding a fish as a slideshow of photos from his life played on a screen: his wedding, a recent 50th birthday party, time with his daughters, firefighting, fishing and playing with his Dobermans.
The meeting included firefighters from other nearby communities and people involved in local and state Republican politics.
The huge procession of emergency vehicles, especially fire trucks, moved through Sarver, Pennsylvania.
A fire truck prepares for the funeral procession of Corey Comperatore’s body
A drone view shows emergency vehicles lined up outside Freeport Area High School, preparing for the procession.
Rich Tallis, a Penn Hills volunteer firefighter who attended the visitation, did not know Comperatore personally but felt the need to honor his memory.
“All emergency teams are a brotherhood: police, firefighters, military. Technically, we are all one,” he said.
Tables inside the hall were adorned with flowers, some sent by fire departments in New York and West Virginia, a racetrack and the mayor of a nearby community. Others came from as far away as Florida.
Mourners took turns stopping in front of Comperatore’s open casket.
In one corner was a framed copy of a note to Comperatore’s wife signed by Trump and former first lady Melania Trump. “Corey will forever be remembered as a true American hero,” they wrote.
Retired New York City Fire Department Lt. Joe Torrillo said outside the visit that he came because Comperatore was a firefighter who lost his life the same way he lived his life: as a hero.
“And, you know, a lot of people maybe wouldn’t have been able to or wouldn’t have done what he did,” Torrillo said.
Jon Ruffley, who lives outside Pittsburgh and attended part of Trump’s rally on Saturday, went to the visit with his wife and young son.
He said he hoped his presence would send a message of support to the family that “we stand together as Americans regardless of, you know, one’s political affiliations.”
“I think it’s very important that we educate our children in a way where we can see that political violence is unacceptable and that we advocate for holding important speeches on issues in our society,” she said.
A truck parked on the route to the banquet hall displayed video screens showing slides, including a photograph of Trump raising his fist after Saturday’s shooting.
Visitors arrive for Corey Comperatore’s evening visitation session at Laube Hall in Freeport, Pennsylvania, on Thursday.
It had the motto “never give up” and a message expressing prayers for Trump and Comperatore.
A statement released Thursday by Comperatore’s family described him as a “beloved father and husband, and a friend to many throughout the Butler region.”
“Our family is finding comfort and peace through the heartfelt messages of encouragement from people around the world, through the support of our church and community, and most of all through the strength of God,” the statement said.
Two other people were injured in the protest: David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township.
As of Wednesday night, both had been upgraded to serious but stable condition, according to a spokesman for Allegheny Health Network.
Joseph Feldman, Copenhaver’s attorney, said Wednesday that he had spoken to his client by phone.
“He seems to be in good spirits, but he also understands the gravity of the situation,” Feldman said.
“He is deeply saddened by what has happened and feels deep compassion for the other victims and their families.”
Feldman said Copenhaver suffered “life-altering injuries,” declining to elaborate.
He said Copenhaver’s priority is to “continue the medical treatment he is receiving and hopefully be discharged at some point.”
In a statement, Dutch’s family thanked the “great community of Western Pennsylvania and countless others across the country and world” for the incredible outpouring of prayers and well wishes.