Who was Corey Comperatore, hero firefighter killed at Trump’s Pa. rally? Beloved ‘girl dad’ remembered
The hero father of two who was shot and killed when a sniper fired at former President Trump during a Pennsylvania rally was remembered as a dedicated firefighter who was a “girl dad” and beloved by his community, officials and loved ones said.
Corey Comperatore, of Sarver, Pa, was fatally shot Saturday evening when he shielded his family from bullets during the attempted assassination of the presumptive GOP nominee for president this November.
Flags were immediately ordered to be flown at half-staff Sunday by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro across the state in remembrance of the 50-year-old who leaves behind a distraught wife and two adult daughters.
A public procession is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday from Freeport Community Park in Freeport, Pennsylvania to Laube Hall in Freeport.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m., and from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Laube Hall.
A private burial will follow.
It was initially reported that Trump would attend the funeral, but later sources said he would not be able to attend.
“Corey was a girl dad, Corey was a firefighter, Corey went to church every Sunday, Corey loved his community, most especially, Corey loved his family,” Shapiro said during a press briefing Sunday.
“Corey was an avid supporter of the former president. He was so excited to be there last night with him and the community.”
Comperatore used his body as a shield to protect his wife and one of his daughters from bullets during the shooting in the city of Butler, Shapiro said.
“He truly loved us enough to take a real bullet for us,” his daughter Allyson wrote on Facebook. “And I want nothing more than to cry on him and tell him thank you.”
Here’s the latest on the assassination attempt against Donald Trump:
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- FBI to conduct victim interview with Donald Trump after assassination attempt
- Ex-Trump doc says FBI’s Wray is ‘wrong’ to doubt ex-prez was struck by bullet: ‘Absolutely no evidence’
- Trump defends female Secret Service agent who was criticized after assassination attempt: ‘So brave’
Comperatore’s wife, Helen, called him a “real life superhero” in a Facebook post.
“Yesterday, what [was meant to] be such an exciting day for my husband, especially, turned into a nightmare for our family,” Helen wrote.
Comperatore had served as volunteer fire chief for Buffalo Township, but stepped down from the position in the early 2000s so he could spend more time with his kids.
“His two girls and his wife was everything,” Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Co. Chief Kip Johnston told The Post. “Great leader, great family man, good friend.”
“Couldn’t ask for a better [firefighter],” he added.
The president of the town’s fire company, Randy Reamer, described Comperatore as an ideal firefighter who served for more than 20 years.
“He was one of them guys you wanted to go into a fire with, because you knew you were coming back out,” he said. “S—t hit the fan, and you were coming back out with him.”
Reamer also noted he was a “great all-around guy” always ready to help others.
“He definitely stood up for what he believed in, never backed down to anyone … He was a really good guy,” he said, noting he didn’t push his politics on other people.
Assistant Chief Ricky Heasley, who knew him for more than a decade, said he was full of life.
The fire company plans to install memorial drapery to honor the fallen hero.
“He never had a bad word,” Heasley said.
Trump and two other rally goers were injured during the shooting that officials said was carried out by a 20-year-old local man who was shot and killed by Secret Service agents during the gunfire.
With Post wires
