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The former fire chief who was killed at a Pennsylvania rally for Donald Trump spent his final moments diving down in front of his family, protecting them from the gunfire that rang out Saturday during an assassination attempt against the former president.<\/p>\n
Corey Comperatore\u2019s quick decision to use his body as a shield against the bullets flying toward his wife and daughter rang true to the close friends and neighbors who loved and respected the proud 50-year-old Trump supporter, noting that the Butler County resident was a \u201cman of conviction.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a literal hero. He shoved his family out of the way, and he got killed for them,\u201d said Mike Morehouse, who lived next to Comperatore for the last eight years. \u201cHe\u2019s a hero that I was happy to have as a neighbor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Comperatore died Saturday during an attempt to kill Trump at Saturday\u2019s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. At least two other people were injured: David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania State Police. Both were listed in stable condition as of Sunday.<\/p>\n
As support for Comeratore\u2019s family began to pour in from across the country, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden also extended their \u201cdeepest condolences.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a father. He was protecting his family from the bullets that were being fired and he lost his life, God love him,\u201d said Biden, who added he was praying for the full recovery of the wounded.<\/p>\n
Separately, Texas U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson said in a statement Sunday that his nephew was injured but \u201cthankfully his injury was not serious.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy family was sitting in the front, near where the President was speaking,\u201d Jackson said. \u201cThey heard shots ringing out \u2014 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Secret Service said it killed the\u00a0suspected shooter,<\/a>\u00a0who attacked from an elevated position outside the rally venue.<\/p>\n 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 got 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.<\/p>\n Trump later extended his condolences to Comperatore\u2019s family.<\/p>\n Randy Reamer, president of the Buffalo Township volunteer fire company, called Comperatore \u201ca stand-up guy\u201d and \u201ca true brother of the fire service.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n \u201cJust a great all-around guy, always willing to help someone out,\u201d Reamer said of Comperatore. \u201cHe definitely stood up for what he believed in, never backed down to anyone. \u2026 He was a really good guy.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Assistant Chief Ricky Heasley of Sarver, who knew Comperatore for more than a decade, remembered him as very outgoing and full of life.<\/p>\n \u201cHe never had a bad word,\u201d Heasley said.<\/p>\n And in the front yard of the Comperatores\u2019 two-story home in Butler County, a small memorial had sprung up of a U.S. flag and small bunches of flowers.<\/p>\n For Morehouse, Comperatore\u2019s death was an emotional blow \u2014 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\u2019s name.<\/p>\n \u201cAs 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,\u201d Morehouse said. \u201cThis is the first time I\u2019ve ever voted and I think it will be in his memory.\u201d<\/p>\n