Devout Christian Dad Killed in Trump Rally Incident Remembered as ‘the Very Best of Us’

By Joe Bukuras and Matt McDonald

Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old husband and father, tragically lost his life on Saturday at former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally outside of Pittsburgh. Known for his devotion to Christianity and his family, Comperatore has been hailed as “the very best of us” by both his family and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

“Corey attended church every Sunday, loved his community, and most importantly, adored his family,” Governor Shapiro shared during a press conference on Sunday. Speaking to reporters north of Pittsburgh, the Democratic governor mentioned that he had spoken with Comperatore’s wife and two daughters.

Governor Shapiro noted that Comperatore, a proud father of daughters and a dedicated firefighter, “died a hero.” Shapiro recounted, “Corey’s wife allowed me to share that Corey shielded his family during the incident, protecting them at the cost of his own life. Corey was the very best of us. May his memory be a blessing.”

Described as an enthusiastic supporter of the former president, Comperatore was excited to attend the rally with his family. Following the tragedy, Pennsylvania will fly flags at half-staff in his honor.

Comperatore served as a chief at the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department, located about 30 minutes northeast of Pittsburgh. His professional background included working as a project and tooling engineer at JSP, a manufacturing company, as indicated by his LinkedIn and Facebook profiles.

According to a Facebook post by Comperatore’s wife, Helen, prior to the shooting, the family had not been seated in the bleachers behind Trump. It was only after a campaign official invited them to move that they were relocated.

Dawn Comperatore Schafer, identifying herself as Corey’s sister, expressed her grief on Facebook, stating, “Corey was a hero who shielded his daughters. His family has endured the unimaginable. Corey had just turned 50 and had so much life left to live.”

Reflecting on the incident, Schafer lamented, “The hatred for one man took the life of the man we loved the most. Hatred knows no limits, and love has no bounds. Please pray for my sister-in-law, nieces, mother, sister, and our extended family as we navigate this painful reality.”

A post by Comperatore’s daughter Allyson, which circulated widely on social media, described the event as “a real-life nightmare.” Allyson recalled the day’s tragic turn, sharing, “What was supposed to be an exciting day, especially for my dad, became a traumatizing experience.”

Calling her father “the best dad a girl could ever ask for,” Allyson highlighted his deep faith, stating, “He was a man of God, loved Jesus fiercely, and cared for our church community as family.” She added, “The media might not tell you this, but he died a real-life superhero, protecting us from harm.”

By Sunday evening, a GoFundMe fundraiserhad raised nearly $500,000 to support the Comperatore family.

This story was first published by Catholic News Agency EWTN Norway`s news partner. It has been adapted by EWTN Norway.

Photo credit:
Trump supporters are seen covered with blood in the stands in aftermath of assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2024. | Credit: Photo by REBECCA DROKE/AFP via Getty Images