As more information becomes available after the failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump during a rally in Butler, PA, authorities have released the identity of the man killed during the attempt. Corey Comperatore, 50, a Butler local and former fire chief, was attending the rally with his family when the shots rang out.
In a heart-wrenching interview, Corey’s widow, Helen Comperatore, shared his final moments. “Get down!” were Corey’s last words as he shielded his family from the sniper. “He’s my hero,” Helen said. “Corey’s ultimate act of bravery came as no surprise to those who knew him. He was a man who always put his family first.” Helen emphasized, “He was a simple man, but he put his wife and kids first all the time. I did nothing here. I didn’t lift a finger. He did everything.” Helen revealed that President Biden tried to console the family, but respecting Corey’s devout Republican beliefs, she chose not to engage. “I didn’t talk to Biden. I didn’t want to talk to him,” she stated. “My husband would not have wanted me to talk to him.”
Corey’s daughter, Allyson Comperatore, painted a vivid picture of her father in a Facebook post. “What was supposed to be an exciting day that we had all looked forward to (ESPECIALLY my dad), turned into the most traumatizing experiences someone could imagine,” Allyson wrote. She described Corey as the “best dad a girl could ever ask for,” adding, “He was a man of God, loved Jesus fiercely, and also looked after our church and our members as family.” Allyson recounted Corey’s heroic act, noting that he immediately took action when the shots rang out, shoving her mother and herself to the ground and covering them with his body. “He loved his family. He truly loved us enough to take a real bullet for us. And I want nothing more than to cry on him and tell him thank you. I want nothing more than to wake up and for this to not be reality for me and my family.”
Corey’s colleagues at the Buffalo Township Fire Department echoed this sentiment. “It wouldn’t even surprise me if it was a complete stranger he was doing it for,” said Craig Cirrincione, Second Lieutenant of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company. He described Corey as a man of love and not hate. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro honored Corey during a press conference. “We lost a fellow Pennsylvanian last night: Corey Comperatore. Corey was a girl dad. Corey was a firefighter. Corey went to church every Sunday. Corey loved his community. And most especially, Corey loved his family, said Shapiro. Corey died a hero. Corey dove on his family to protect them last night at this rally. Corey was the very best of us. May his memory be a blessing.” Shapiro ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in Corey’s honor, a gesture mirrored by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Two other men, David Dutch, 57, and James Copenhaver, 74, were critically injured but are expected to recover. The Trump campaign has set up a GoFundMe for all the victims and their families. Helen expressed her overwhelming gratitude for the support received. “The donations that are coming in across the community and across the country, it’s more than I can even imagine,” she said. “It’s more than I can fathom, but he deserves it all. He deserves everything.”
As we mourn the loss of Corey Comperatore, let us keep his family in our prayers. May Corey’s memory be a blessing and a testament to the love and sacrifice he showed for his family and community.