Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media, Inc.
The country artist sang “Amazing Grace” and “Some Gave All” at the Pennsylvania funeral for Corey Comperatore, who was a victim of the shooting.
Billy Ray Cyrus paid tribute to the firefighter who was killed in the shooting at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania last weekend. On Friday, July 19, the 62-year-old country singer performed at the funeral of 50-year-old Corey Comperatore. According to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Comperatore “died trying to protect his family” when the shooting occurred at the rally on Saturday, July 13.
PEOPLE reports that Cyrus performed “Amazing Grace” and his 1992 hit “Some Gave All” during a celebration of life service for Comperatore at Cabot Church in Cabot, Pa., where he had been a long-time member, according to The New York Times.
“Corey Comperatore was a veteran Army reservist and former firefighter chief. According to a source, Billy Ray Cyrus, known for his dedication to honoring troops and first responders, felt privileged to perform at Comperatore’s service. ‘Today he was honored to join the family and perform during the service,’ the source said.
The Times reports that a procession of approximately 500 fire trucks, including some from as far away as Florida and Texas, was planned to travel from the church to the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company near Comperatore’s hometown of Sarver, where he had served for decades. An electronic billboard in Freeport, Pa., also displayed a photo of Comperatore, who was born on June 6, 1974, alongside the phrase ‘a real hero.’
CBS News notes that Donald Trump paid tribute to Comperatore at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. The 78-year-old former president described Comperatore as ‘an unbelievable person, everybody tells me,’ and during his speech, he kissed the firefighter’s helmet on display and requested a moment of silence from the audience.”
Comperatore was identified as the victim of the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Butler, Pa., a day after the incident. Trump was injured during the attack, which the FBI classified as an assassination attempt, as shown in footage shared on social media.
The shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Pennsylvania, was killed by the Secret Service after opening fire. Comperatore was the only fatality from the rally, with two other attendees suffering serious injuries and being hospitalized.
In a press conference on Sunday, July 14, Governor Shapiro paid tribute to Comperatore’s life, stating, “Corey was a girl-dad. Corey was a firefighter. Corey went to church every Sunday,” as reported by The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Dawn Comperatore Schafer, Comperatore’s sister, expressed her grief on Facebook, saying, “The PA Trump Rally claimed the life of my brother, Corey Comperatore. The hatred for one man took the life of the one man we loved the most. He was a hero who protected his daughters. His wife and girls have endured the unthinkable and unimaginable.”
