Funeral service for Corey Comperatore in Butler County, Pennsylvania.

On Friday morning, their loved ones gathered 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 to show their support for the family.

“Just know that we are right there with you,” said Thomas Somma, a firefighter at Robinson Station 244 in Groveton. “Of course, we don’t feel what they feel, but we feel in our hearts that this is one of our brothers.”

Somma says he was just a few feet away when Comperatore was shot and called 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 some closure. My granddaughter and I were there,” he said.

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Comperatore was a fire chief with the Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department. He dedicated his life to saving others, and that’s exactly what he did when he protected his family when shots rang out at the rally.

“Corey died a true hero. He took a bullet for his family,” said Katie Fuhrman, an in-law.

“He was a wonderful asset to the company, to his family and to the fire department. I am at a loss for words. I am speechless at what an amazing young man he was,” said Andria Crawford of the Murrysville Fire Department.

FIRE TRUCKS LINE UP FOR THE FUNERAL COLLECTION:

Although the funeral was private, people came from across the country to show the Comperatore family that they do not have to face their grief alone.

Pennsylvania’s Patriot Guard riders 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.

“I’m sure it touches me as much as any other person to be there defending his family and seeing that they all had to go through this. And not just him. There were others,” Simmons said.

“I am deeply honored and humbled,” said another Patriot Guard driver who identified himself as Brian.

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Community members lined the funeral procession’s route and watched as Comperatore’s flag-draped casket passed on top of a fire truck. They also lined the ground with American flags as the procession passed through the area Comperatore oversaw as fire chief.

In the days following the rally shooting, those who knew and loved Comperatore spoke about who he was. Comperatore will be remembered as a “girl dad” and a good man.

As gunshots rang out through the crowd at Trump’s rally, Comperatore protected his family. The 50-year-old’s obituary said his courage “was not loud and boisterous; it was the courage of quiet resilience, the strength to be vulnerable, and the bravery to lead with love.”

On Friday, many expressed a sense of unity despite the tragic event. Others who knew Comperatore continued to praise him as a person and spoke about the impact his loss has had on the region.

“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 about them,” Somma said.

An online fundraiser for Comperatore’s family has raised over $1 million. Click here to learn how to donate.

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