Corey Comperatore, former fire chief killed at Trump rally, died shielding his family

BUFFALO TOWNSHIP, Pa. - A former fire chief who was killed in the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump spent his final moments shielding his family from gunfire.

Corey Comperatore, 50, died Saturday night after diving in front of his wife and daughter to protect them from bullets flying toward the crowd. A 20-year-old man snuck onto a roof and started shooting at Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Close friends and neighbors said Comperatore's quick decision to use his body as a shield rang true for the person he was, described by many as a loving, respected and proud Trump supporter.

"He’s a literal hero. He shoved his family out of the way, and he got killed for them," Mike Morehouse, who has lived next to Comperatore for the last eight years, told the Associated Press. "He’s a hero that I was happy to have as a neighbor."

Eileen Shamanski, whose children grew up playing soccer alongside Comperatore's daughters, remembered him as a selfless "girl dad" and churchgoing family man who put others before himself on a regular basis.

"It's just so typical of him, the way it all happened, with protecting his wife and his daughter and just throwing himself on top of them when they hear the shooting," Shamanski told FOX News Digital.

"He was an all around good guy that was always there to lend a hand and support, not just his own children but all the other kids who were friends of their girls and on the team," she continued. "He had a just give it your all attitude, (and) a lot of kids respected him for that, just always being there supporting, giving those pep talks to get them going. It's going to be a big loss."

Their families have been close for years due to their girls' common interest in travelling soccer, Shamanski said. Although Comperatore worked long hours and volunteered to battle flames in his downtime, he never missed a game or a practice, she noted.

"We didn't think it was true at first, when my daughters called me crying," Shamanski said. "Then we saw his wife and daughter on the news, when they were tending to him – it was just a sad thing to see, so sad, but I know he would've done it again in a heartbeat if it came down to it."

At least two other people were injured in the shooting: David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania State Police. 

As support for Comperatore’s family began to pour in from across the country, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden also extended their "deepest condolences."

"He was a father. He was protecting his family from the bullets that were being fired and he lost his life, God love him," said Biden, who added he was praying for the full recovery of the wounded.

RELATED: Biden delivers Oval Office address on Trump assassination attempt: 'We must not go down this road'

Separately, Texas U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson said in a statement Sunday that his nephew was injured but "thankfully his injury was not serious."

"My family was sitting in the front, near where the President was speaking," Jackson said. "They heard shots ringing out — my nephew then realized he had blood on his neck and something had grazed and cut his neck. He was treated by the providers in the medical tent."

The Secret Service said it killed the suspected shooter, who attacked from an elevated position outside the rally venue.

RELATED: What we know about Thomas Matthew Crooks, the alleged shooter at Trump's rally

The former president was showing off a chart of border-crossing numbers when at least five shots were fired. Trump was seen holding his ear and getting down on the ground. Agents quickly huddled in a shield around him. When he stood, his face bloodied, he pumped his fist to cheering supporters as he was whisked off-stage by Secret Service agents.

Trump later extended his condolences to Comperatore's family.

Randy Reamer, president of the Buffalo Township volunteer fire company, called Comperatore "a stand-up guy" and "a true brother of the fire service." He said Comperatore served as chief of the company for about three years but was also a life member, meaning he had served for more than 20 years.

"Just a great all-around guy, always willing to help someone out," Reamer said of Comperatore. "He definitely stood up for what he believed in, never backed down to anyone. … He was a really good guy."

A crew was power-washing the front of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company on Sunday with plans to install memorial drapery to honor the slain former chief.

Assistant Chief Ricky Heasley of Sarver, who knew Comperatore for more than a decade, remembered him as very outgoing and full of life.

"He never had a bad word," Heasley said.

And in the front yard of the Comperatores' two-story home in Butler County, a small memorial had sprung up of a U.S. flag and small bunches of flowers.

For Morehouse, Comperatore's death was an emotional blow — but it also has inspired political action. Morehouse says he plans on casting a ballot for the first time in his life come November, and he plans on checking Trump's name.

"As soon as I heard what happened and then learned that it was to Corey, I went upstairs as soon as I got home and I registered to vote," Morehouse said. "This is the first time I’ve ever voted, and I think it will be in his memory."

A GoFundMe launched to support Comperatore’s family had already surpassed more than $696,000 in donations as of Sunday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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