Funeral for father, former fire chief Corey Comperatore killed at Trump rally to be held Friday

On Friday morning, friends and family of Corey Comperatore gathered at a church in Cabot, Pennsylvania to lay him to rest. The 50-year-old father of two was killed while protecting his wife and daughters at a Trump rally last weekend after a gunman opened fire in an attempt to assassinate the former president.

The service is set to be followed by a procession of hundreds of fire trucks, some from as far away as Florida, that will travel from the church to the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company in nearby Sarver, where Comperatore served for decades, working his way up to chief.

A statement from his family made on Thursday read, “Our beloved father and husband, and a friend to so many throughout the Butler region.”

“Our family is finding comfort and peace through the heartfelt messages of encouragement from people around the world, through the support of our church and community, and most of all through the strength of God,”

According to the New York Times, Comperatore spent the majority of his life in the area. He grew up in Sarver and went to school in the neighboring town of Freeport, where he met his wife. They lived in Sarver with their children, and often attended the church in Cabot.

While Friday's service was more intimate, a separate event was held Thursday evening at a banquet hall in Freeport for anyone who wished to pay their respects. Hundreds of mourners showed up, with a lineup quickly growing to span over a quarter-mile. The gathering was patrolled by law enforcement, with two snipers on the roof and more on a building nearby. Inside, officers watched the crowd to ensure everyone stayed safe.

During his speech at the Republican National Convention on Thursday night, Donald Trump paid respects to the fallen father, holding a moment of silence.

"There's no greater love than to lay down one's life for others," he said. "This is the spirit that forged America in her darkest hours, and this is the love that will lead America back to the summit of human achievement and greatness."

"He lost his life selflessly, acting as a human shield to protect [his wife and daughter] from flying bullets," Trump added, noting that $6.3 million had been raised for Comperatore's family as well as the families of the two others who were injured at the rally.

A separate GoFundMe has brought in nearly $1.3 million as of Friday morning.