Former fire chief who died at Trump rally used his body to protect his family

BUFFALO TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The former fire chief killed at a Pennsylvania rally for Donald Trump spent his final moments diving in front of his family, shielding them from gunfire that rang out Saturday during an assassination attempt on the former president.

Corey Comperatore’s quick decision to use his body as a shield against the bullets whizzing toward his wife and daughter resonated with close friends and neighbors who loved and respected the 50-year-old proud Trump supporter, noting that the Butler County resident was a “man of conviction.”

“He’s a real hero. He pushed his family out of his way and got himself killed for them,” said Mike Morehouse, who has lived next door to Comperatore for the past eight years. “He’s a hero I was happy to have as a neighbor.”

Another man died Saturday in an attempted murder of Trump at Saturday’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. At least two other people were injured: David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania, according to Pennsylvania State Police. Both were in stable condition Sunday.

As support for Comeratore’s family began pouring in from across the country, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden also offered their “deepest condolences.”

“He was a father. He was protecting his family from the bullets that were being fired and he lost his life, God bless him,” said Biden, who added that he was praying for the full recovery of those injured.

Separately, U.S. Representative Ronny Jackson of Texas said in a statement Sunday that his nephew was injured but “fortunately, his injury was not serious.”

“My family was sitting up front, close to where the president was speaking,” Jackson said. “They heard gunshots. My nephew then realized he had blood on his neck and something had grazed and cut him. He was treated by the medics in the medical tent.”

The Secret Service said it killed the suspected gunman, who attacked from a high position outside the rally site.

The former president was showing a chart of border crossing numbers when at least five shots were fired. Trump was seen holding his ear and fell to the ground. Agents quickly gathered around him to form a shield. When he got back up, his face bloodied, he raised his fist toward cheering supporters as he was led off the stage by Secret Service agents.

Trump later offered his condolences to Comperatore’s family.

Randy Reamer, president of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company, called Comperatore “an honest guy” and “a real firefighter brother.” He said Comperatore had been chief of the company for about three years, but he was also a life member, meaning he had served for more than 20 years.

“He was a great guy, always willing to help someone,” Reamer said of Comperatore. “He always stood up for what he believed in, he never backed down from anyone. … He was a really good guy.”

A crew was hosed down the facade of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department Sunday with plans to install a memorial wall hanging to honor the slain former chief.

Deputy Chief Ricky Heasley of Sarver, who knew Comperatore for more than a decade, remembered him as a very outgoing and lively man.

“He never had a single bad word,” Heasley said.

And in the front yard of the Comperatores’ two-story home in Butler County, a small memorial had sprung up, consisting of an American flag and small bouquets of flowers.

For Morehouse, Comperatore’s death was a blow, but it was also an inspiration to political action. Morehouse said he plans to vote for the first time in his life in November, and he plans to check Trump’s name.

“As soon as I found out what happened and I found out it was Corey, I ran upstairs as soon as I got home and registered to vote,” Morehouse said. “This is my first time voting and I think it’s going to be a lasting memory for him.”

A GoFundMe collection launched to support Comperatore’s family had already surpassed $480,000 in donations as of Sunday.

Ron Todt contributed and reported from Philadelphia and Kruesi from Nashville, Tennessee.

Originally published: July 14, 2024 at 4:21 p.m.