The former fire chief who was killed at a rally for Donald Trump in Pennsylvania spent his final moments dove in front of his family to protect them from the gunshots fired in Saturday’s assassination attempt on the former president Voice.
Corey Comperatore’s quick decision to use his body as a shield against the bullets flying toward his wife and daughter prompted close friends and family members who love and respect the proud 50-year-old Trump supporter to Neighbors said it was true, noting that the Butler County resident was a “man of faith.”
“He was a true hero. He pushed his family away and then he was killed for them. “He was a hero and I was happy to have him as a neighbour. “
Competore died Saturday while trying to assassinate Trump at a Saturday rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. At least two other people were injured: David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, Pa., and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pa., according to Pennsylvania State Police. The pair were in stable condition as of Sunday.
As support for Comatore’s family began pouring in from across the country, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden also expressed their “deepest condolences.”
“He was a father. He was protecting his family from bullets and he lost his life and God loves him,” Biden said, adding that he was praying for the injured to make a full recovery.
Separately, Texas U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson said in a statement on Sunday that his nephew was injured, but “thankfully, his injuries were not serious.”
“My family was sitting in the front, close to where the president was speaking,” Jackson said. “They heard shots ring out – my nephew then realized there was blood on his neck and something had grazed his neck. He was treated by medical providers in the medical tent.
The Secret Service said it had killed the suspected gunman, who attacked from a height outside the rally venue.
The former president fired at least five shots while showing a chart of the number of people crossing the border. Trump was seen covering his ears and falling to the ground. Agents quickly crowded into shields around him. When he stood up, his face bloodied, he shook his fist at cheering supporters before being ushered off the stage by Secret Service agents.
Trump later expressed his condolences to Competore’s family.
Randy Reamer, chairman of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company, called Comperatore “a man of integrity” and “a true brother to the fire department.” He said Comperatore had been the company’s chief executive for about three years but was also a life member, meaning he had been in the job for more than 20 years.
“He was an all-around guy who was always willing to help others,” Reimer said of Comperatore. “He absolutely stood up for what he believed in and never gave in to anybody. … He was a very good person.
A crew was pressure washing the front of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department on Sunday with plans to install a memorial drape to honor the slain former fire chief.
Ricky Heasley, Sarver’s deputy chief, has known Comperatore for more than a decade and remembers him as very outgoing and energetic.
“He never said a bad word,” Sisley said.
In the front yard of the Competores’ two-story home in Butler County, a small memorial consisting of an American flag and a small bouquet of flowers stands.
For Morehouse, Competore’s death was an emotional blow but also inspired political action. Morehouse said he plans to vote for the first time in his life in November and plans to check Trump’s name.
“As soon as I heard what happened and then learned it was from Cory, I went upstairs and registered to vote,” Morehouse said. “It was my first time voting, and I thought this would stay In his memory.”
As of Sunday, GoFundMe donations to support Comperatore’s family had exceeded $480,000.
