Country music icon Billy Ray Cyrus paid tribute to Corey Comperatore, the firefighter tragically killed at a Donald Trump rally in Pennsylvania, by performing at his funeral on Friday, July 19. The 62-year-old singer-songwriter honored Comperatore, who died shielding his family during the shooting incident at the rally.
According to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Comperatore “died trying to protect his family” when a gunman opened fire at the rally held on Saturday, July 13. Cyrus performed a heartfelt rendition of “Amazing Grace” and his poignant 1992 hit “Some Gave All” at the celebration of life service, held at Cabot Church in Cabot, Pa., where Comperatore was a longstanding member.
A source close to Cyrus expressed the singer’s deep respect for military personnel and first responders, noting, “BRC has always been passionate about honoring troops and first responders. Today he was honored to join the family and perform during the service.”
The New York Times reported that the funeral service included a procession of approximately 500 fire trucks from various states, including Florida and Texas. This grand tribute procession moved from Cabot Church to the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company near Comperatore’s hometown of Sarver, where he had served for many years. An electronic billboard in Freeport, Pa., displayed a photo of Comperatore alongside the message “a real hero.”
During the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, held shortly after the tragic incident, former President Donald Trump paid tribute to Comperatore, describing him as an “unbelievable person” and acknowledging his heroic actions. Trump kissed the firefighter’s helmet displayed onstage and called for a moment of silence in his honor.
The fatal shooting occurred when Trump was giving a speech and was injured in the incident, captured on social media. The FBI labeled it an assassination attempt. The shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Pennsylvania, was fatally shot by Secret Service agents after opening fire, resulting in Comperatore’s death and serious injuries to two others in attendance.
Following the tragedy, Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro remembered Comperatore as a devoted family man and community member who attended church regularly, according to The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
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Comperatore’s sister, Dawn Comperatore Schafer, mourned her brother’s death on Facebook, condemning the violence at the rally: “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.”
She described her brother as a hero who shielded his daughters during the shooting, leaving behind a devastated family. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Comperatore’s family in the wake of his tragic death.
Billy Ray Cyrus’s tribute at the funeral underscored the somber yet heroic spirit of Corey Comperatore, highlighting the impact of his sacrifice in the community and beyond.
