Donald Trump took a moment during his speech at the Republican National Convention to honor the man killed at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last Saturday when a gunman opened fire, narrowly missing the former president.
As the former president spoke at his convention Thursday night in Milwaukee, the uniform and helmet of Corey Comperatore, who was killed at the rally, were on display on the stage behind him.
At one point, Trump even stopped talking to approach the uniformed man and kiss the helmet of the slain former fire chief, a father of two daughters.
“Tragically, the shooter took the life of one of our fellow Americans, Corey Comperatore, an incredible person, everyone tells me,” Trump said in his remarks.
“He was a very respected former fire chief, respected by everyone,” Trump said.
Donald Trump kisses Corey Comperatore’s helmet during his speech at the Republican National Convention. The uniform was on display on stage as Trump delivered his acceptance speech
The former president said he spoke to Comperatore’s wife, Helen, on Thursday and that she is devastated. Trump also said Comperatore was the father of two daughters.
“He lost his life by selflessly acting as a human shield to protect them from the bullets that were flying. He went over their heads and was hit,” Trump said. “What a great man he was.”
That’s when Trump stopped talking and pointed at the uniform. He then walked over to the uniform and kissed the helmet.
The former president thanked the fire department and the family for sending Comperatore’s uniform and helmet to the convention.
It should be noted that the uniform jacket had the incorrect spelling of the victim’s last name, but it matched the spelling on the jacket outside the Pennsylvania fire station.
The family confirmed through a spokesperson that it was given to the former president for the convention.
Trump stands in the uniform of Corey Comperatore, who was fatally shot when the gunman opened fire at the former president’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last Saturday.
Former Buffalo City Fire Chief Corey Comperatore was the person killed in the crowd at Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Trump said the fire department and his family sent the uniform to Milwaukee for his speech.
As thousands of convention attendees bowed their heads, Trump led a moment of silence in honor of Comperatore.
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for another. This is the spirit that forged America in its darkest hours, and this is the love that will lead America back to the pinnacle of human achievement and greatness that we need,” Trump said.
The former president announced during his speech at the convention that they have raised $6.3 million for the families.
Trump said he also spoke to the two other men, David Dutch and James Copenhaver, who were seriously injured in the shooting.