Private funeral planned for Friday for Corey Comperatore, former fire chief killed at Trump rally

CABOT, Pa. (AP) — A fire truck carried the flag-draped casket of Corey Comperatore to a Pennsylvania church on Friday for the funeral of the former fire chief who was shot last weekend when a gunman tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump.

Hundreds of firefighters came to the church in a procession of more than 100 vehicles to show their support to Comperatore’s grieving relatives and friends. Outside the church, a giant American flag hung from the ladder of a fire truck.

A team of snipers on a nearby rooftop recalled last weekend’s bloodshed. Officials have said that Comperatore spent his last moments He protected his wife and daughter from gunfire at Trump’s rally last Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Trump, who suffered an ear injury in the shooting but was not seriously injured, will not attend the funeral due to Secret Service concerns, according to a person familiar with the situation who was not authorized to speak publicly.

Standing across the street from the church, Annette Locke, a member of the West Deer Township Volunteer Fire Department, lightly touched her heart as she spoke of the horrific victims of the “completely senseless” shooting.

“He was with his family on a beautiful sunny day and now he’s dead,” Locke said.

Joe and Jen Brose stood at the edge of their driveway with their three little boys, all wearing American flag T-shirts, watching the long procession of fire and ambulance trucks.

“In times like these, the community comes together,” said Joe Brose.

“I found it very heartwarming and humbling to see that,” said Jen Brose, whose sister attended the Trump rally.

Trump paid tribute to Comperatore during his speech on Thursday evening at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. On the convention stage, he showed Comperatore’s firefighting gear, kissed his helmet and praised the former chief as an “incredible person.”

Mike Drane, who lives near the church where the funeral took place, said he was overwhelmed by Trump’s tribute.

“Trump knew the bullet was for him, not Corey,” Drane said.

Nancy Macurdy, who lives across the street from the church, was camping at the time of the shooting but wanted to be home for the funeral.

“We are a very close community here,” she said.

Comperatore, 50, worked as a project and tool engineer, was an Army reservist and spent many years as a volunteer firefighter after serving as chief, according to his obituaryHe and his family attended the Cabot Methodist Church, where their pastor, Jonathan Fehl, presided over the funeral. Comperatore was to be buried in the city of Freeport, where he grew up.

On Thursday, thousands of mourners flocked to a banquet hall to pay their respects to Comperatore and his family. On Wednesday, hundreds of people gathered for a vigil for him at a race track.

Guests at Comperatore’s visit on Thursday saw a slideshow of photos from his life – his wedding, a recent 50th birthday party, time with his daughters, firefighting, fishing and romping with his Dobermans. Also on display was a framed copy of a note to Comperatore’s wife signed by Trump and former first lady Melania Trump.

“Corey will forever be remembered as a true American hero,” the Trumps wrote.

In a statement released Thursday, Comperatore’s family described him as a “beloved father and husband and friend to so many people throughout the Butler region.”

“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 power of God,” the statement said.

Two other people were injured at Trump’s rally: David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township. Both were listed as serious but stable in condition Wednesday evening, according to an Allegheny Health Network spokesman.