Mourners at funeral say goodbye to Corey Comperatore, firefighter and father killed at Trump rally in Butler
BUFFALO TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) — Hundreds of mourners came together in Buffalo Township to pay their last respects to Corey Comperatore, the man killed at the rally for former President Donald Trump on Saturday.
Countless firetrucks and motorcycles from all over made their way down Route 356 in Butler County in honor of Comperatore, whose casket was draped in an American flag as it sat on top of one of those firetrucks.
Friday's private service happened at Cabot United Methodist Church, where Comperatore was a lifelong member.
"A death like that is not easy," one mourner said.
Comperatore is the father and firefighter who died protecting his family from gunfire at last weekend's rally. He was a firefighter of 30 years for Buffalo Township. He was also a 10-year veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves.
"Our dad is a firefighter and it hit close to home for us," one person said.
Following the funeral, the casket was carried out of the church by eight firefighters and placed onto a firetruck draped in black bunting as Comperatore's grieving family looked on.
"We all need to stand in solidarity in support of this family that tragically lost their husband, dad and a good member of this proud community," Linda Ryan of Middlesex Township said.
Three firefighters stood guard on the back of the firetruck, trailed by hundreds of emergency vehicles from fire departments across the region in a farewell procession.
Mourners of all ages, many patriotically dressed and waving American flags, lined the route as the casket passed by. There was one last ride to the Buffalo fire station as a tribute to Comperatore.
Comperatore was 50 years old.
Donald Trump pays tribute to Corey Corey Comperatore
On Thursday night, the public paid their respects at a visitation in Freeport.
The Comperatore family released a statement saying, "Our family is finding comfort and peace through the heartfelt messages of encouragement from people around the world."
Former President Donald Trump even gave his own heartfelt message to the family at the Republican National Convention Thursday evening.
"He was incredible," Trump said. "He was a highly respected former fire chief, respected by everybody. [He] was accompanied by his wife, Helen, incredible woman, I spoke to today, devastated and two precious daughters. He lost his life selflessly acting as a human shield to protect them from flying bullets. He went right over the top of them and was hit. What a fine man he was."
