By Sarah Roebuck
EMS1
BUTLER, Pa. — A fundraiser benefiting the family of a former fire chief who died while attending a rally for former President Donald Trump has surpassed its goal.
Corey Comperatore, a former Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company chief, died on July 13 during an assassination attempt on the former president, the Associated Press reports.
A GoFundMe set up to support Comperatore’s family has raised more than $1 million, surpassing its goal of $7,000. More than 18,000 people have donated to the fundraiser since it was set up on Sunday morning.
Comperatore died while shielding his loved ones from the bullets.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Comperatore’s wife, Helen Comperatore, wanted everyone to know that her husband died a hero.
“Corey dove on his family to protect them last night at this rally,” Shapiro said during a press conference. “Corey was the very best of us. May his memory be a blessing.”
His loved ones recalled his heroic last moments in social media posts.
“He shielded my body from the bullet that came at us,” one daughter, Allyson Comperatore, wrote in a social media post. “He loved his family. He truly loved us enough to take a real bullet for us.”
Randy Reamer, the president of the Buffalo Township volunteer fire company, told the Associated Press that Comperatore was “a stand-up guy” and “a true brother of the fire service.” Reamer mentioned that Comperatore had served as the company’s chief for approximately 3 years and was also a life member.
“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.”
Shapiro said two other rally attendees were also critically injured in the shooting.
The FBI identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, according to the Associated Press. An FBI official said investigators had not yet determined a motive.
