FREEPORT, Pa. — Thousands of mourners flocked to a Pennsylvania banquet hall Thursday to recollect the previous fire chief who was fatally shot within the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Trump sent him a condolence message, calling him a hero.
The crowd paying their respects to Corey Comperatore and his family gave the impression to be a mixture of friends, neighbors and strangers who wanted to point out their appreciation for the person who, authorities said, spent his final moments shielding his wife and daughter from gunfire on the campaign rally.
The car parking zone in front of the constructing was stuffed with fire and police cars. Snipers were stationed on the roof of the venue and on the encircling buildings while dozens of individuals lined as much as get in. Among the mourners were firefighters in dress uniforms.
Comperatore, 50, worked as a project and power engineer, was an Army reservist and was a volunteer firefighter for a few years after his time as chief, in line with his obituary.
Trump suffered an ear injury but was not seriously injured and attended the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this week.
Mourners filled Laube Hall, a room with white brick partitions, white linens, white curtains and exposed wood beams that is often used for weddings and other ceremonial occasions.
Guests walked past a big framed photo of Comperatore holding a fish while a screen displayed a slideshow of photos from his life — his wedding, a recent fiftieth celebration, time together with his daughters, firefighting, fishing on a lake and hanging out together with his beloved Dobermans.
The meeting was attended by firefighters from other surrounding communities in addition to people involved in local and state Republican politics.
Rich Tallis, a volunteer firefighter from Penn Hills who attended the wake, didn’t know Comperatore personally but felt the necessity to honor his memory.
“Every first responder is a brotherhood – police, EMS, fire, military. Technically, we are all one,” he said. “When one goes, we all go.”
Flowers lined the tables within the hall – some sent by fire departments in New York and West Virginia, a race track and the mayor of a close-by community. Others got here from people as far-off as Connecticut and Florida who knew Comperatore only through his death.
The messages on the cards that accompanied the arrangements praised his selflessness and devotion to his family, with one saying his name can be “written in the history books.”
Mourners took turns standing in front of Comperatore's open casket, which was decorated with floral arrangements and ribbons bearing words similar to “father” and “husband.”
In one corner hung 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,” they wrote.
Retired New York Fire Department Lieutenant Joe Torrillo said outside the viewing that he got here because Comperatore was a firefighter who lost his life the identical way he lived it – like a hero.
“And you know, a lot of people maybe wouldn't have done or couldn't have done what he did,” Torrillo said.
Jon Ruffley, who lives outside Pittsburgh and attended a part of the Trump rally Saturday, attended the wake together with his wife and young child. He said he hoped his presence would send the family a supportive message that “we stand together as Americans, regardless of someone's political affiliation.”
“I think it's really important that we raise our children to realize that political violence is unacceptable and that we advocate for important discourses about things in our society,” he said.
A van parked on the solution to the banquet hall displayed video screens with slides, including a photograph of Trump raising his fist after Saturday's shooting, the slogan “Never give up” and a message offering prayers for Trump and Comperatore.
The memorial service, split into two two-hour blocks, was the second of two public events honoring and recognizing Comperatore's life. Hundreds of individuals gathered for a vigil for him at an auto race track on Wednesday.
A non-public funeral is planned for Friday. Trump won’t attend the funeral resulting from Secret Service concerns, in line with a source aware of the matter who was not authorized to talk publicly.
In a press release 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 through the warm, encouraging messages from people around the world, through the support of our church and community, and most of all through the power of God,” the statement said.
Dan Ritter, who delivered a eulogy at Wednesday's vigil, said he bought Comperatore's childhood home in 1993, starting a friendship based on shared values of family, Christian faith and politics.
“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 those he loved. He is a true hero to all of us.”
Comperatore's Rev. Jonathan Fehl of Cabot Methodist Church in Cabot said the family was “overwhelmed by the way the community has rallied around them” and by the support they’ve received from people world wide.
The vigil ended with people in the group lighting candles and holding up cell phones, glow sticks and lighters while Comperatore's favorite song, “I Can Only Imagine,” by Christian rock band MercyMe, played.
Joseph Feldman, a lawyer for Copenhaver, said Wednesday that he had spoken to his client by phone.
“He seems to be in good spirits, but he also understands the seriousness of the situation,” Feldman said. “And he is deeply saddened by what happened and he feels deep compassion” for the opposite victims and their families.
Feldman said Copenhaver suffered “life-altering injuries” but declined to supply details. He said Copenhaver's priority is to “continue the medical treatment he is receiving and hopefully be released at some point.”
In a press release, Dutch's family thanked the “community of western Pennsylvania and countless others across the country and around the world” for the incredible outpouring of prayers and well wishes.
Associated Press reporters Heather Hollingsworth in Mission, Kansas; Lisa Baumann in Bellingham, Washington; Michelle Price in Milwaukee and Michael Rubinkam in northeastern Pennsylvania contributed to this report.
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