Corey Comperatore, Sarver man killed at Trump rally, remembered during public visitation
FREEPORT, Pa. (KDKA) -- The public paid their respects to Corey Comperatore on Thursday, the former Buffalo Township fire chief and dad who died protecting his family from gunfire at the Trump rally on Saturday.
Visitation was scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Laube Hall on Community Park Road in Freeport.
In the morning, Buffalo Township fire trucks led a van carrying their former chief's body from Redmond Funeral Home downtown towards Laube Hall in a small procession.
Along the route, they drove by flags outside St. Mary's Church that people put on High Street in honor of the 50-year-old man who dedicated his life to service, both as a firefighter and a 10-year veteran in the U.S. Army Reserves.
"We're showing our support as a community church that we show the love for Corey and all that he's done and sacrificed," said Jeffrey Polana, the facilities and events coordinator of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
"We also as a community want to show support for the family and all volunteers throughout the state and the country that will be coming in for the funeral," Polana added.
Family, friends and strangers gathered to say their final goodbye, remembering Comperatore as a courageous hero for sacrificing his life for the ones he loved.
"When something this devastating happens, the good of the community always comes together," Tiffany Dolmayer said.
Ryan Smith said Comperatore was like a brother to him.
"We grew up together, he was my next-door neighbor. We moved in when I was 4 years old and he was two years older than me so I always looked up to him, even through high school," Smith said.
"He was always my true life hero, and now he's the world's hero," Smith added.
Joe Torrillo, a former New York City firefighter who survived the fall of both World Trade Center towers, attended Thursday's visitation. He said he wanted to show his support for the family.
"He lost his life the same way he lived his life: like a real true hero," Torrillo said.
Torrillo and Dolmayer both had the chance to spend time with Comperatore's wife and children.
"They look very good, but you can tell they are exhausted," Dolmayer said. "It's been a very trying week for them and funerals are hard enough."
There was a large police presence at the visitation, including two teams of snipers on rooftops.
A private funeral will be held on Friday morning. There will be no parking on High and Sixth Streets from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday. More details on traffic restrictions can be found on the Southern Armstrong Regional Police Department's Facebook page.
Comperatore family releases first statement
The Comperatore family released their first statement on Thursday, thanking everyone for their prayers and support as they mourn his death:
"Corey Comperatore was our beloved father and husband, and a friend to so many throughout the Butler region. He was a local leader and veteran, a former fire chief, and a committed Christian who found peace and joy through our church. He loved and cared for us, his family.
"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. We thank the countless people who have prayed for us throughout the past week. We deeply appreciate your kindness.
"We ask for your continued prayers and privacy as we mourn and adjust to the realities of Corey's unthinkable passing."
Community gathers for emotional candlelight vigil
On Wednesday night, the community gathered at a Lernerville Speedway in Sarver for an emotional candlelight vigil. It was the first opportunity the community had to come together after the shooting.
"He loved his community and he loved his country," Dan Ritter said, speaking in front of hundreds.
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.