Community recalls slain Buffalo Township firefighter
An entire community is still reeling from the loss of former Buffalo Township volunteer fire chief Corey Comperatore, who was killed in the attempted assassination of Donald Trump on Saturday, July 13 at a campaign event in Butler County.
According to all accounts, Comperatore died after diving on top of his wife and daughter to shield them from the gunfire. While his death is no less shocking 48 hours later than it was in the immediate aftermath, the way he died came as no surprise to those who knew him and described him in glowing terms.
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.
In a statement, Jonathan Fehl, pastor at Cabot Church in Winfield Township, described Comperatore as a devout Christian and a “faithful member” of the church.
“His love for Jesus was clear in the way he lived his life. He served his family, his church, his community, and his country, and he did that all with a heart of service to the Lord,” Fehl said. “Whether it was taking part in a small group, serving on the trustees, or lending his expertise to a building project, he was constantly helping the people around him. He drew particular strength from the Book of Romans, always telling new Christians they should read that book first.
Buffalo Township Supervisor Michael Oehling, Jr., who met Comperatore while he was first campaigning for the position, had nothing but positive memories of the former fire chief.
“He was a great man, and he died a hero trying to protect his wife and daughters,” Oehling said. “He was very active in his community and in his church. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and with his daughters.”
“He’s a literal hero. He shoved his family out of the way, and he got killed for them,” said Mike Morehouse, who has lived next to the Comperatores for the last eight years. “He’s a hero that I was happy to have as a neighbor.”
For Morehouse, Comperatore's death was an emotional blow — but it also has inspired political action. Morehouse said 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.”
At least two GoFundMe fundraising campaigns have started to aid the Comperatore family in the aftermath of the tragedy. One, started by family friend David Bibb, has raised over $1 million from roughly 18,300 donors as of Monday evening, far surpassing its original goal of $7,000.
“Wow. We are over $800k in less than 24 hours,” Bubb wrote. “Please share with everyone you know. Allyson and family are truly grateful for all your support.”
Another campaign was started by Trump campaign finance director Meredith O’Rourke with Trump’s backing, and is aimed at all of the victims of the shooting. As of Monday evening, it has raised just under $4.4 million from roughly 57,600 donors.
The Comperatore family also is accepting donations directly by mail in the form of checks which donors can send to the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department or the Cabot Church.
Oehling urged people with money to spare to donate to the family by either method.
“If people are uncomfortable making a donation to GoFundMe, they can make a donation to the Buffalo Township Fire Department and just put in the memo line that it’s a donation for his family,” Oehling said.
Funeral arrangements have been set for later this week. A public visitation is set for Thursday, July 18 at 2 p.m. at Laube Hall on Community Park Road in Freeport. A more private funeral ceremony is scheduled for the Cabot Church on Winfield Road in Winfield Township on Friday, July 19, at 11 a.m., preceded by a final visitation at 10 a.m.
“Our desire is to make sure that Corey's life is celebrated and our Lord Jesus Christ is worshipped, just as Corey would have wanted it,” Fehr said.
His obituary appears on Page 10 of today’s Eagle.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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