Hundreds of people have gathered to watch a procession of fire trucks carrying the body of the former fire chief. who was killed in Donald Trumpdemonstration five days ago.
Corey Comperatore was shot during the attempted murder of 20-year-old gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks at a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, over the weekend.
The father, 50, had 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.
He died a hero, spending the final moments of his life shielding his wife and daughter from a barrage of bullets as Trump was hit in the ear, amid scenes that shook American democracy to its foundations on Saturday night.
Comperatore’s body was transported on a group of fire trucks adorned with black ribbons through his hometown of Freeport, outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Thursday.
The body of Corey Comperatore was carried in a procession of fire trucks adorned with black ribbons through his hometown of Freeport, outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Thursday.
Corey Comperatore was shot during the attempted assassination of Trump by gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, at a campaign event in Butler, Pennsylvania, over the weekend.
Dan Beazley delivers a cross-country pass near a row of guests at a wake for Corey Comperatore at Laube Hall, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Freeport, Pa.
Friends and neighbors had lined the grass along the country road with knee-high American flags in his honor.
The Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department drove the vehicles in shadowy formation to Laube Hall, where a private service will be held Friday, just about 20 miles from where Trump’s rally took place.
In the five days since the horror unfolded, friends and strangers have donated $1.2 million to a Fundraising supporting Comperatore’s widow, Helen, and daughter, Allyson.
Helen Comperatore received a call from Trump in the days after the devastating loss of her husband, and was also offered a call from Joe Biden, but turned it down.
After her call with Trump, she wrote on Facebook: “He was very nice and said he would continue to call me in the coming days and weeks.”
“I told him the same thing I told everyone else. He left this world a hero and God welcomed him. He didn’t die in vain that day.”
“I don’t talk to Biden,” she later told the New York Post. “I didn’t want to talk to him.”
“My husband was a staunch Republican and would not have wanted me to speak to him.”
A person arrives at a viewing for Corey Comperatore at Laube Hall, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Freeport, Pa.
Vehicles are parked at a visit to Corey Comperatore at Laube Hall, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Freeport, Pa.
A memorial for Corey Comperatore is seen on a billboard at the Penn Theatre in Butler, Pennsylvania, Thursday, July 18, 2024.
He added that he has no “resentment” towards the president. “I am not one of those people who get involved in politics,” he said.
“I support Trump, that’s who I’m voting for, but I have no hard feelings towards Biden. He didn’t do anything to my husband, a despicable 20-year-old did.”
Helen said she and her husband, who were high school sweethearts, were about to celebrate their 29th wedding anniversary when they headed to Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“The kids and I were there as a family,” he said. “I was really excited. It was going to be a nice day with the family.”
Comperatore’s funeral is scheduled for Friday, according to local reports.
Hundreds of people also attended a candlelight vigil last night in Freeport.
Commercial buildings across the city have been decorated with messages of support for those who knew Comperatore, and American flags have been raised in his honor.