Donald Trump assassination attempt victim Corey Comperatore is honored in Pennsylvania with a huge procession of fire trucks from across the US as his flag-covered casket arrives at a church
Thousands of mourners have paid their respects to a former fire chief who was shot and killed during the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.
The keen of bagpipes, a three-volley gun salute and a bugle sounding taps pierced the air of the small town of Freeport, Pennsylvania, on Friday.
Following funeral services for Corey Comperatore, large crowds of mourners waiting outside the Cabot Methodist Church fell silent as firefighters loaded his flag-draped casket onto a fire truck draped in black bunting.
Three firefighters stood sentry on the back of the truck, trailed by more than 100 other emergency vehicles from fire departments across the region as it rolled slowly toward Comperatore's hometown of Freeport, where he was to be laid to rest.
His body was taken to the church in a huge procession of emergency vehicles, especially firetrucks, that weaved its way through Sarver, Pennsylvania.
Firefighters carry Corey Comperatore's coffin out of Cabot Church in Butler, Pennsylvania, after a private funeral for the Donald Trump assassination attempt victim
Corey Comperatore was killed by the assassin's bullet as eight shots were fired at Trump on Saturday night, one hitting the former president and others striking rally attendees
Trump sent a note of condolence hailing Corey Comperatore as a hero, and many in his hometown expressed the same sentiment on the day of his funeral
A sharpshooter team mounted on a nearby rooftop served as a reminder of last weekend's bloodshed.
Officials said Comperatore spent his final moments shielding his wife and daughter from gunfire at Trump's rally last Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The former president sent a note of condolence hailing Corey Comperatore as a hero, a copy of which was displayed at an earlier visitation.
'Corey will forever be remembered as a True American Hero,' he wrote.
Trump did not attend the funeral because of Secret Service concerns, according to a source who was not authorized to speak publicly.
Annette Locke, a member of the West Deer Township Volunteer Fire Department, stood across the road from the church and lightly touched her heart as she spoke about the horrific toll from the 'totally senseless' shooting.
'He was with his family on a beautiful sunny day, and now he's gone,' Locke said.
His body was taken to the church in a huge procession of emergency vehicles, especially firetrucks
Merri Cambo (left) and her friend, Jane Wesolosky shed tears as the funeral procession for Corey Comperatore passes by
Joe and Jen Brose stood at the edge of their driveway with their three young boys, all dressed in T-shirts celebrating the USA, watching the long procession, which took a full half-hour to pass.
'The community comes together at times like this,' Joe Brose said.
'I thought it was very heartwarming, it was very humbling to see it,' said Jen Brose, whose sister had attended the Trump rally.
Trump honored Comperatore during his speech Thursday night at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. He displayed Comperatore's firefighting gear on the convention stage, kissing his helmet and heralding the ex-chief as 'an unbelievable person.'
Mike Drane, who lives near the church where the funeral was held, said he was overwhelmed by Trump's tribute.
'Trump knew that that bullet was for him, not for Corey,' Drane said.
Nancy Macurdy, who lives across the street from the church, was away camping when the shooting happened but wanted to be back home for the funeral.
'We're a very close community here,' she said.
People ride on motorcycles, during a procession of emergency vehicles through Sarver, Pennsylvania, transporting the coffin with the body of Corey Comperatore
Mourners watch as Comperatore's coffin is carried out of the church after the funeral
Locals stood along the procession route holding American flags to pay their respects
A woman who was inside the church for the funeral service said Comperatore's wife and daughters delivered testimonies, and the church's pastor read a eulogy written by one of Comperatore's siblings.
The woman, who declined to be quoted by name, said she did not recognize any politicians or Trump representatives among the crowd, which included country singer Billy Ray Cyrus.
In nearby Sarver, the town where Comperatore lived, families took the day off from work or changed other plans to gather along the community's main artery.
Bands of young boys stood by the roadway, signaling for trucks to honk their horns. Five-year-old Ryder Presutti, dressed in a red firefighter's outfit, waved a small American flag as the fire trucks passed by.
Others congregated at Andy's House of Cars or Cabot Archery to await the funeral procession. Outside the Dollar General store, at least a dozen SUVs were lined up tailgate style, with their trunks open.
'It's a very heartbreaking situation,' said Daneene Wimer, 44, of Evans City, near where the shooting took place.
She and her sisters came with their families to honor 'somebody who put their life in their hands for their family.'
'I will definitely be shedding tears (when the procession passes),' she said.
Residents watch as a funeral procession for Corey Comperatore arrives in Freeport, Pennsylvania
The huge procession of emergency vehicles, especially firetrucks, weaved its way through Sarver, Pennsylvania
Comperatore, 50, worked as a project and tooling engineer, was an army reservist and spent many years as a volunteer firefighter after serving as chief, according to his obituary.
He and his family attended the Cabot Methodist Church, where their pastor, Jonathan Fehl, presided over the funeral.
Hundreds of people gathered on Wednesday at a vigil for him at a car racing track in Freeport, Pennsylvania, and then at a banquet hall on Thursday.
The crowd on Thursday appeared to be a mix of friends, neighbors and strangers who wanted to show their appreciation for the man who officials said spent his final moments shielding his wife and daughter from gunfire at the campaign rally.
Fire trucks and police vehicles filled the parking lot outside the building.
Sharpshooters were positioned on top of the event hall and on nearby buildings as people including firefighters in dress uniforms, waited in line to enter.
Comperatore, 50, worked as a project and tooling engineer, was an Army reservist and spent many years as a volunteer firefighter after serving as chief, according to his obituary.
A firetruck stages for the funeral procession of Corey Comperatore's body
A drone view shows emergency vehicles line up outside of the Freeport Area Middle School, preparing for the procession
Trump suffered an ear injury but was not seriously hurt and has been participating this week in the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Trump honored Comperatore during his speech on Thursday night accepting the party's presidential nomination, displaying his firefighting gear on the convention stage, kissing his helmet and heralding the ex-chief as 'an unbelievable person.'
Trump said a fund for Comperatore´s family and the two men wounded in the attack has raised more than $6 million.
Mourners filled Laube Hall, a space with white brick walls, white linens, white curtains and exposed wooden beams that´s normally used for weddings and other celebratory occasions.
Guests walked past a large, framed photo of Comperatore holding a fish, while a slideshow of photos from his life was projected on a screen - his wedding, a recent 50th birthday party, time with his daughters, firefighting, fishing, and palling around with his Dobermans.
A resident watches as a funeral procession for Corey Comperatore arrives
The flag-draped casket with Corey Comperatore's body is carried by firefighters into his private funeral at Cabot Church in Butler, Pennsylvania
A Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, fire truck carrying the casket of Cory Comperatore, leads a procession of fire vehicles following a memorial service at Cabot United Methodist Church
The gathering included firefighters from other nearby communities and people involved in local and state Republican politics.
Rich Tallis, a Penn Hills volunteer firefighter who attended the visitation, did not know Comperatore personally but felt a need to honor his memory.
'Any first responder, it´s a brotherhood - police, EMS fire, military. We're technically all one,' he said.
Tables inside the hall were lined with flowers - some sent by fire departments in New York and West Virginia, an auto racing circuit and the mayor of a nearby community. Others came from as far away as Florida.
Mourners took turns pausing in front of Comperatore's open casket.
In a corner was a framed copy of a note to Comperatore´s wife signed by Trump and former first lady Melania Trump. 'Corey will forever be remembered as a True American Hero,' they wrote.
Retired New York City Fire Department Lt Joe Torrillo said outside the visitation that he came because Comperatore was a firefighter who lost his life the same way he lived his life - like a hero.
The former fire chief for Buffalo Township, Corey Comperatore, was the person killed in the crowd at the Trump rally in Butler, PA
A man holds an American flag, on the day of a procession of emergency vehicles transporting the coffin with the body of Comperatore
Beth and David Oziel, of Buffalo Township, observe a procession of emergency vehicles transporting the coffin with the body of Comperatore
'And, you know, a lot of people maybe wouldn't or couldn't have done what he did,' Torrillo said.
Jon Ruffley, who lives outside Pittsburgh and attended part of the Trump rally Saturday, went to the visitation with his wife and young child.
He said he hoped his presence sent a supportive message to the family that 'we stick together as Americans regardless of, you know, what someone's political affiliations are'.
'I think it´s really important that we raise our kids in a way where we can see that political violence is unacceptable, that we stand for having important discourses about things in, in our society,' he said.
A box truck parked on a route to the banquet hall displayed video screens showing slides, including a photograph of Trump raising his fist after Saturday's shooting.
It had the slogan 'never surrender' and a message expressing prayers for Trump and Comperatore.
Firefighters ride on the back of a firetruck carrying Comperatore's body
Fire fighters carry the casket of Corey Comperatore, a retired volunteer fire department chief who was shot and killed in the attack on Trump
Children sit on top of cars parked along the route to get a better view of the procession
A statement issued Thursday by Comperatore's family described him as a '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,' the statement said.
Two other people were wounded at the rally: David Dutch, 57, of New Kensington, and James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township.
As of Wednesday night, both had been upgraded to serious but stable condition, according to a spokesperson with Allegheny Health Network.
Joseph Feldman, an attorney for Copenhaver, said Wednesday that he had spoken with his client by phone.
'He seems to be in good spirits, but he also understands the gravity of the situation,' Feldman said.
Dan Beasley walks through the parking lot at Laube Hall in the Freeport Community Park carrying a crucifix during a memorial visitation for Comperatore on Thursday
Visitors arrive for the evening visitation session for Corey Comperatore at Laube Hall in Freeport, Pennsylvania, on Thursday
Trump places his hand on a helmet and firefighter's jacket that belonged to Comperatore onstage at the Republican National Convention on Thursday
'And he´s deeply saddened about what has occurred, and he´s deeply sympathetic' to the other victims and their families.
Feldman said Copenhaver suffered 'life-altering injuries,' declining to go into detail.
He said Copenhaver's priority is to 'keep up with the medical treatment he´s receiving and hopefully be released at some point.'
In a statement, Dutch's family thanked the 'greater western Pennsylvania community and countless others across the country and world' for the incredible outpouring of prayers and well wishes.
