Corey Comperatore, Sarver man killed at Trump rally, remembered in public visitation

FREEPORT, Pa. (KDKA) – The public paid tribute Thursday to Corey Comperatore, the former Buffalo Township Fire Chief and father who died protecting his family following gunfire at Trump’s rally on Saturday.

A visit was planned from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Laube Hall on Community Park Road in Freeport.

The morning, Buffalo Township Fire Trucks They drove a van carrying their former leader’s body from the Redmond Funeral Home downtown to Laube Hall in a small procession.

Along the way they passed flags outside St. Mary’s Church that people had placed on High Street in honour of the 50-year-old who dedicated his life to service, both as a firefighter and as a 10-year veteran in the US Army Reserves.

“We’re showing our support as a church community, we’re showing the love that we have for Corey and all that he’s done and sacrificed,” said Jeffrey Polana, facilities and events coordinator for St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church.

“As a community, we also want to show our support for the family and all the volunteers from around the state and country who will be coming for the funeral,” Polana added.

Family, friends and strangers gathered to say a final goodbye, remembering Comperatore as a courageous hero for sacrificing his life for those he loved.

“When something as devastating as this happens, the good of the community always comes into play,” said Tiffany Dolmayer.

Ryan Smith said Comperatore was like a brother to him.

“We grew up together, he was my next door neighbor. We moved in when I was 4 and he was two years older than me, so I always looked up to him, even in high school,” Smith said.

“He’s always been my real hero, and now he’s the world’s hero,” Smith added.

Joe Torrillo, a former New York firefighter who survived the collapse of both World Trade Center towers, attended Thursday’s ceremony. He said he wanted to show his support for the family.

“He lost his life the same way he lived it: as a true hero,” Torrillo said.

Both Torrillo and Dolmayer were fortunate to spend time with Comperatore’s wife and children.

“They look great, but you can tell they’re exhausted,” Dolmayer said. “It’s been a very trying week for them and the funeral is hard enough.”

There was a heavy police presence during the visit, including two sniper teams on the roofs.

A private funeral will be held Friday morning. There will be no parking on High Street and Sixth Street from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. More details about traffic restrictions can be found on the Southern Armstrong Regional Police Department Facebook page.

Comperatore family issues first statement

The Comperatore family released their first statement Thursday, thanking everyone for their prayers and support as they mourn his death:

“Corey Comperatore was our beloved father and husband, and a friend to so many in the Butler area. He was a local leader and veteran, a former fire chief, and a committed Christian who found peace and joy through our church. He loved and cared for us, his family.

“Our family finds comfort and peace in the heartfelt messages of encouragement from people around the world, in the support of our church and community, and most of all in the strength of God. We thank the countless people who have prayed for us throughout the past week. We deeply appreciate your kindness.

“We ask that you continue to pray for us and respect your privacy as we grieve and adjust to the realities of Corey’s unthinkable passing.”

Community gathers for emotional candlelight vigil

On Wednesday night, the community gathered at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver for an emotional candlelight vigilIt was the first opportunity for the community to come together after the shooting.

“He loved his community and his country,” Dan Ritter said, speaking before hundreds of people.

Organizer Kelly McCollough said at the vigil that political views don’t matter.

“Tonight we send an important message of unity to our community,” she said. “We are broken, and we are broken for the Comperatore family. We need clarity in this chaos. We need strength. We need healing.”

The vigil was punctuated by songs and psalms. Dan Neyman, pastor of SonRise Community Church, also addressed the crowd. He explained that he wanted everyone to leave with three things: faith, hope and love.

“This is a time of collective mourning, a time where we can grieve, a time where we can come together, a time where we can support each other, a time where we can reflect,” Neyman said.