Mourners say goodbye at funeral of Corey Comperatore, firefighter and father who was killed at Trump rally in Butler

BUFFALO TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) — Hundreds of mourners gathered in Buffalo Township to pay their respects to the late Corey Comperatore, the man killed at the rally for former President Donald Trump on Saturday.

Countless fire trucks and motorcycles from all over the world drove down Route 356 in Butler County to honor Comperatore. His casket was covered with an American flag and placed on one of the fire trucks.

The private service on Friday was held at Cabot United Methodist Church, of which Comperatore was a lifelong member.

“A death like this is not easy,” said one mourner.

Comperatore is the father and firefighter who died protecting his family from gunfire at last weekend’s rally. He was a firefighter in Buffalo Township for 30 years and also served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 10 years.

“Our father is a firefighter and it touched us deeply,” one person said.

After the funeral, the coffin was carried out of the church in front of eight firefighters and placed on a fire engine decorated with a black flag.

“We all need to stand together and support this family who has tragically lost their husband, their father and a fine member of this proud community,” said Linda Ryan of Middlesex Township.

Three firefighters stood guard on the back of the fire truck, followed by hundreds of emergency vehicles from fire departments across the region in a farewell procession.

Mourners of all ages, many dressed patriotically and clutching American flags, lined the street as the casket passed. There was a final drive to the Buffalo Fire Station to remember Comperatore.

Comperatore turned 50 years old.

Donald Trump honors Corey Corey Comperatore

On Thursday evening, the public paid their respects at a wake in Freeport.

The Comperatore family released a statement saying: “Our family finds comfort and peace through the heartfelt messages of encouragement from people around the world.”

Former President Donald Trump even sent his own heartfelt message to the family at the Republican National Convention on Thursday evening.

“He was incredible,” Trump said. “He was a highly respected former fire chief who was respected by all. (He) was accompanied by his wife Helen, an incredible woman who I spoke to today, devastated, and two wonderful daughters. He lost his life selflessly acting as a human shield to protect them from flying bullets. He flew right over them and got hit. What a great man he was.”