'I'm here to honor him': Hundreds gather for Corey Comperatore

They came from as far away as Arizona and Brooklyn, N.Y., on Thursday to honor the life of Corey Comperatore, a husband, father and former volunteer fire chief killed by gunfire Saturday at a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump in Butler County.

A steady stream of mourners — including many complete strangers — expressed sentiments that transcended politics before and after a memorial for Comperatore at Laube Hall in Freeport. Armed security could be be seen on roofs and along the roadway leading in.

Comperatore, 50, of Buffalo Township died while shielding his family from gunfire at the Trump rally.

Trump, while not in attendance Thursday, loomed large at the visitation and as he accepted the Republican nomination for president.

Comperatore’s bunker gear was placed on the stage right before Trump began his speech. “What a fine man,” Trump called Comperatore during his speech, and led a moment of silence for him. He walked over to the bunker gear and stood with it for a moment.

Earlier, at the vigil, a mobile electronic billboard station in Freeport Community Park rotated messages of mourning, unity and calls to “never surrender,” an apparent message of support for the former president.

Scott Docherty, 68, works at CID Associates, a manufacturing company in the Buffalo Township area, with Comperatore’s stepbrother, Steven.

Docherty said he was told that Comperatore and his family were seated to the left of Trump before the rally. Someone from his campaign team offered them four open seats in a location closer to the former president, he said. They accepted.

“Talk about a freak, freak accident,” Docherty said outside of the visitation, near the back of Freeport Community Park.

He also condemned political violence.

“The world has to change, and it needs to change fast,” Docherty said.

Joe Torrillo is a retired lieutenant with the Fire Department of the City of New York who was among the firefighters who responded to the collapse of the Twin Towers during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He said he was compelled to come to pay his respects to Comperatore’s family as Comperatore was a longtime firefighter.

“When 911 happened, a half-million people came to New York City to sift through the carnage. We could never say thank you to all of them. So this was my way of paying it back in some small way.”

Firefighters and other first responders from the Alle-­Kiski Valley were among those who sent volunteers and fire apparatus to New York in 911’s aftermath.

Law enforcement and EMS vehicles from the Alle-Kiski Valley, Western Pennsylvania and beyond attended.

One former firefighter, James Kuhn, a father of two, described a sense of duty to attend the visitation, which attracted hundreds.

“What he did is definitely hero-worthy,” said Kuhn, who ran calls with a volunteer fire department in Pulaski Township, Lawrence County. “The guy saved his family.”

A Freeport Area High School graduate, Comperatore formerly served as chief of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company and was a life member of the department. His fire gear will remain permanently on display in the firehouse, officials said.

“Corey Comperatore was our beloved father and husband, and a friend to so many throughout the Butler region,” his family said in a statement Thursday. “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 is finding comfort and peace through the heartfelt messages of encouragement from people around the world, through the support of our church and community, and most of all through the strength of God. We thank the countless people who have prayed for us throughout the past week.”

Jon Ruffley of O’Hara didn’t know Comperatore but volunteered at Saturday’s rally handing out bottles of water for three hours in the 90-plus degree heat. But something told him he should go home. He left around 4 p.m.

“It was surreal to see the news,” he said through tears as he stopped before attending the evening viewing.

“It’s important to show support for the democratic process without being afraid of being demonized. Nobody should ever worry about something like this happening. At minimum there should be civil discourse. And the fact that someone would even consider doing something like that was wrong.”

Ruffley attended with his wife and two children. He noted that his wife is an immigrant. He feels that it’s important to raise their children to be accepting of others.

Saxonburg resident Tiffany Dolmayer didn’t know Comperatore, but a coworker is a Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company volunteer. She said she came out to support them and because of the overwhelming support of the local community. And, she noted, Comperatore “was such a big part of that community.”

Dolmayer said that during the week, “I realized everyone needs to take a step back and appreciate life.”

Verne Crissman lives in Arizona but attended Saturday’s rally as he was visiting family in Western Pennsylvania. He did not know Comperatore but wanted to offer support to the family.

“I’m here to honor him and his family,” he said on his way to the service. “They’re not going to know I’m here, and that’s OK.”

State Rep. Marci Mustello, while unable to attend, offered her condolences for Comperatore’s family, honoring him for his “selfless bravery” and “love for living in Butler County,” which Mustello represents parts of.

“Corey’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those he loved and served,” Mustello said.

The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, as the shooter at the rally. He was killed by the Secret Service after he fired shots, killing Comperatore and seriously injuring a Plum man and another from Moon.

There were no traffic issues through Freeport as the Thursday evening viewing resumed.

A private service will be held Friday, with crowds expected to line the funeral procession route. That will come with its own set of traffic restrictions, according to police.

After a service at Cabot United Methodist Church, the procession will move onto Winfield Road, then to Bear Creek Road, then to Sarver Road, then to Route 356 and into Freeport via Second Street before ending on High Street.

Trump is not expected to attend services, despite initial reports that he may be in the area Friday.