Family, friends say goodbye to Corey Comperatore, former firefighter killed at Trump rally (2024)

CABOT, Pa. —

Loved ones gathered Friday morning to remember Corey Comperatore, the firefighter who was killed while attending a rally for former President Donald Trump in Butler Township.

A private funeral for Comperatore was held at Cabot Church, followed by a procession through Butler County communities as people lined the streets in a show of support for the family.

"Just know we are right there beside you," said Thomas Somma, a firefighter with Robinson Station 244 in Groveton. "Of course, we don't feel what they are feeling, but we feel in our hearts this is one of our brothers."

Somma says he was just feet away when Comperatore was shot, and he yelled to paramedics for help.

"I was actually with Corey when it happened, I was 8 feet away from him, and that's another reason I'm here to get a little closure. Me and my granddaughter were there," he said.

Comperatore was a fire chief with the Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department. He dedicated his life to saving others, and that's what he was doing when he shielded his family as gunfire erupted at the rally.

"Corey died a true hero. He took a bullet for his family," said Katie Fuhrman, a relative by marriage.

"He was a wonderful asset to the company, to his family, to the department. I don't have the words. I'm speechless on what an astonishing young man he was," said Andria Crawford, of the Murrysville Fire Department.

FIRE TRUCKS LINE UP FOR PROCESSION TO FUNERAL:

While the funeral was private, people from all over the country came to let the Comperatore family know they don't have to get through the grief alone.

Patriot Guard riders of Pennsylvania honor and respect veterans, first responders and those who have lost loved ones. Tiffany Simmons was a firefighter, and her father was a World War II veteran, so she was honored to ride in the procession with other motorcyclists.

"It touches my heart I'm sure as it touches anybody else's, to be there and defend his family and see that they all had to go through this. And not just him. There were others," Simmons said.

"I'm completely humbled, and it's my honor," said another Patriot Guard rider who identified himself as Brian.

Community members lined the funeral procession route, watching Comperatore's flag-draped casket pass by on a fire truck. They also lined the ground with American flags as the procession passed through the area that Comperatore protected as a fire chief.

In the days that followed the shooting at the rally, those who knew and loved Comperatore spoke about who he was. Comperatore is remembered as a "girl dad" and a good man.

When the gunfire rang out over the crowd at Trump's rally, Comperatore shielded his family. The 50-year-old's obituary reads his courage "was not the loud and boisterous kind; it was the courage of quiet resilience, the strength to be vulnerable, and the bravery to lead with love."

On Friday, many voiced there being a sense of unity, despite it being for such a tragic event. Others who knew Comperatore continued to praise the man he was and how his loss has impacted the area.

"Our community is hurting, our hearts are hurting and our country is hurting," Fuhrman said.

"I just want his family to know that we care," Somma said.

An online fundraiser for Comperatore's family has raised over $1 million. To find out how you can donate, you can click here.

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