Corey Comperatore funeral: Hundreds attend wake for man killed at Trump rally in Pennsylvania ahead of Thursday visit

SARVER, Pa. — Hundreds of people who gathered to pay tribute to the former fire chief fatally shot at a weekend rally for former President Donald Trump were urged to find “unity” as rural Pennsylvania sought to recover from the assassination attempt.

Wednesday's public event was the first in a series of two to commemorate and celebrate Corey Comperatore's life. The second, a visitation for friends, was scheduled for Thursday at Laube Hall in Freeport.

Outside Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, where the vigil was held for Comperatore, a sign read, “Rest in peace Corey, thank you for your service,” with the logo of his fire company.

On the rural road leading to the racetrack — lined with cornfields, churches and industrial plants — a sign outside a local credit union read: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Comperatore family.”

Comperatore, 50, had worked as a project and tooling engineer, was an Army reservist and spent many years as a volunteer firefighter after serving as chief, according to his obituary.

He died Saturday in the assassination attempt on Trump at the Butler rally.

RELATED: Man killed at Trump rally was former fire chief who 'died a hero,' governor says; 2 injured victims identified

Comperatore spent the last moments of his life shielding his wife and daughter from gunfire, authorities said.

Vigil organizer Kelly McCollough told the crowd Wednesday that the event was not political in nature, adding that there was no room for hatred or personal opinions other than an outpouring of support for the Comperatore family.

“Tonight is about unity,” McCollough said. “We need each other. We need to feel love. We need to feel safe. We need clarity in this chaos. We need strength. We need healing.”

Dan Ritter, who delivered a eulogy, said he bought Comperatore's childhood home in 1993, sparking a friendship that grew out of their shared values ​​of family, Christian faith and politics.

SEE ALSO: Trump rally victim shot in chest, liver; emerges from medically induced coma

“Corey loved his family and always spent time with them,” Ritter said. “Last Saturday was supposed to be one of those days for him. He did what a good father would do. He protected the ones he loved. He is a true hero to all of us.”

Jeff Lowers of the Freeport Fire Department trained with Comperatore and said at the vigil he always had a smile on his face.

Afterward, Heidi Powell, a family friend, read remarks from Comperatore's high school economics teacher, who was unable to attend the vigil.

“What made Corey truly extraordinary was his indomitable spirit, his unwavering courage, his unwavering optimism,” wrote Professor Mark Wyant.

Comperatore's pastor, Jonathan Fehl of Cabot Methodist Church, said the family “has been humbled by the way this community has rallied around them” and the support they've received from people around the world.

The vigil ended with people in the crowd lighting candles and holding up cellphones, glow sticks and lighters as Comperatore's favorite song — “I Can Only Imagine,” by the Christian rock band MercyMe — played while photos of him and his family were shown on a screen.

RELATED: Trump family member to attend funeral for shooting victim Corey Comperatore

Two other people were injured at the rally: David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township. Both were in serious but stable condition Wednesday night, according to an Allegheny Health Network spokesperson.

In a statement, Dutch's family thanked “the greater western Pennsylvania community and countless others across the country and world” for the incredible outpouring of prayers and well wishes.

Trump suffered an ear injury but was not seriously injured and attended the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week.

Copyright 2024 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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