Community says farewell to Comperatore

By RENATTA SIGNORINI, JULIA BURDELSKI, JOYCE HANZ and JACK TROY Trib Total Media

Mourners wiped away tears and held small American flags as they watched the procession for Corey Comperatore pass by from the streets of Freeport and other Butler County communities.

Firefighters offered somber waves back to the crowd from the windows of their fire trucks. Many onlookers expressed sympathy for the Comperatore family while calling for unity in the face of the violence that claimed his life.

Comperatore was killed by gunfire at a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump six days ago in Butler County.

Nancy Sterling of Buffalo Township said she knew Comperatore his whole life.

“He was a good kid,” Sterling said. “He was a leader and I knew his parents forever. I have been crying and it’s a shame that it happened.”

A procession for Comperatore, 50, a volunteer firefighter in Buffalo Township, wound from Cabot Church to Freeport on Friday through lines of supporters.

Firefighters from area companies and mourners started gathering early Friday. About 2,000 Patriot Guard motorcycle riders were expected to participate. Comperatore was a 10-year veteran of the Army Reserves.

“I’m here to honor a fallen brother,” said David Shaffer, 20, a Buffalo Township firefighter.

“We’re here to honor and respect his service to his country and his community,” said Tiffany Simmons of Lower Burrell, a veteran representative with Patriot Guard Riders.

Comperatore died while shielding his family from gunfire at the Trump rally.

Hundreds of people from across the country, many of them strangers, attended his visitation Thursday in Freeport. Armed security could be seen on roofs and along the roadway leading in.

Hundreds of miles away in Milwaukee, Trump honored Comperatore by having his bunker gear on stage with him at the Republican National Convention. Trump led a moment of silence for him.

Silvia Lowry, 67, of Buffalo Township said she has been moved by the amount of support from near and far away. Her son — Ben Lowry — was a friend of Comperatore’s. Both were longtime members of the fire department, and Comperatore was the best man in her son’s wedding, she said.

“He was like a mentor to Ben,” she said.

Lowry was stunned by the number of people who attended the visitation Thursday and by how many first responders would participate in Friday’s funeral procession. She was waiting along the procession route.

“It’s so heartfelt to see the community and all the families coming out,” she said. “I couldn’t believe all the love and support.”

Lowry said she believes the recent violence will be an opportunity for people to set aside their differences and come together.

“This is going to be a turning point to bring us together again.”

Jane Wesolosky of Buffalo Township and Merri Carbo of Saxonburg waved an American flag along Route 356 near Freeport Area High School. Carbo said she took the day off work to show her respect for Comperatore. The sisters planned to volunteer to help feed first responders at the township fire station.

Jeff and Rita Youell walked from their home to the procession route to pay their respects.

“It’s sad for everybody, and our feelings and prayers are for his family, loved ones and the community,” Jeff Youell said. “It’s our quiet tribute here — just standing.”

Rita Youell added: “My heart hurts for the family. To lose your child. We’ve been praying for them. People are sad.”

Bystanders along the route expressed similar sympathies and said they wanted to honor Comperatore. In Freeport, where the procession was expected to end, residents and businesses were preparing.

Karen Heilman, co-owner of 1833 Coffee and Tea in Freeport, had extra staff on call in case the only cafe in town got overwhelmed. Her plan was to roll with the crowds as they come.

“Nothing like that has happened before,” Heilman said. “What do you do to plan? We have no idea.”

The coffee shop provided free water for passersby and collected donations for the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company, where Comperatore served as chief in the early 2000s.

Rob Kepple, who said he was a former FBI agent, parked his motorcycle in a gravel lot along Second Street in Freeport while waiting on friends prior to the procession passing by. He said he found the assassination attempt disturbing and wished for unity in the face of stark political divides.

“It doesn’t matter what you believe in,” Kepple said. “This country needs to come together.”

Two trucks from Lernerville Speedway waited along Route 356 for the procession to come through. Gregory Geibel of Butler, general manager of the racetrack, said Comperatore ran the safety crew.

“He was a hero before this,” Geibel said. “Seeing the community come together like this is heartfelt. I know he would recognize the cars here today.”

It has been weird for Savannah Claypool to see her quiet, small town thrust into the national spotlight because of the violence. At the same time, it has been heartwarming for the 25-year-old Buffalo Township woman to watch the community rally around the Comperatore family.

“I just wish everybody could see what a wonderful town this is, how everybody comes together,” she said.

Comperatore, a Freeport Area High School graduate, 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.

The FBI has identified Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park as the shooter at Saturday’s rally. He was killed by the Secret Service after he fired shots, killing Comperatore and seriously injuring a Plum man and another from Moon. Trump suffered an ear wound.