Emotional candlelight vigil held for Corey Comperatore, man killed at Trump rally while protecting his family
SARVER, Pa. (KDKA) — The community came together on Wednesday to remember Corey Comperatore, the Butler County man who was killed while attempting to shield his family from the gunfire at former President Donald Trump's rally on Saturday.
People gathered at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver for an emotional candlelight vigil. The event was the first opportunity for people to come together after Comperatore was killed.
Remembering Corey Comperatore
Comperatore was the former fire chief for Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company and a "cherished member" of the community, Pennsylvania State Rep. Marci Mustello (R-Butler) said over the weekend.
Comperatore joined the department in 1994 and served as fire chief in the early 2000s. His jacket now hangs outside the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Hall.
At Wednesday's vigil, friends, family and neighbors came together to remember a hero.
"Where do you start when you're asked to speak about somebody who's so loved and one that showed his love for his family," Dan Ritter said during the vigil.
He insisted in his speech that he was not Comperatore's best friend. Instead, he said, that was his fishing rod.
"If his fishing rod could speak, you would all be hearing some great fishing stories," Ritter said.
Ritter said Comperatore loved his family, faith and freedom, in that order.
"He loved his community and he loved his country," said Ritter as he spoke in front of hundreds who came out on the wet night.
Organizer Kelly McCollough said at the vigil that political views don't matter.
"Tonight is an important message of unity, as far as this community goes," she said. "We are broken, and we are broken for the Comperatore family. We need clarity in this chaos. We need strength. We need healing."
The vigil featured songs and psalms. Dan Neyman, pastor at Sonrise Community Church, also addressed the crowd. He explained he wanted everyone to walk away with three things: faith, hope and love.
"It's a time of collective mourning, a time when we can grieve, a time we can get together, a time we can support one another, a time we're able to give reflection," Neyman said.
Ritter explained how much Comperatore's daughters changed his life. He read one of Comperatore's posts about them from Father's Day.
"Every day I'm thankful for today. And each Father's Day, I reflect on how truly blessed I am," Ritter quoted Comperatore as writing.
It was why on Saturday it was no surprise he shielded his family from the bullets.
"He did what a good father would do," Ritter said. "You protect those you love. He's a true hero for us all. I want to personally let the family know that he loved you all and he was proud to tell me about it."
Ritter said that Comperatore posted about a time when he struggled to find his purpose but he continued.
"When I look at my daughters, I can see a purpose. My wife and I raised them well," Ritter quoted Corey as saying.
Visitation and funeral for Corey Comperatore
The public is invited to a procession through Freeport Community Park down to Laube Hall on Thursday at 2 p.m.
People also can pay their respects at a visitation from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Laube Hall on Community Park Road.
The funeral will be private.
Corey Comperatore honored at Republican National Convention
On the night of the vigil honoring Comperatore, Donald Trump Jr. talked about the Western Pennsylvania man at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
"I would like to take just a moment tonight to express our gratitude for the life and service of American hero Corey Comperatore," he said on stage.
The crowd then chanted "Corey."