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New York Post
Firefighter Corey Comperatore wasn’t supposed to have front-row seats at Trump rally, pal reveals at hero’s wake
By Steven Vago, Katherine Donlevy,
7 hours ago
FREEPORT, PA — The firefighter who was killed while shielding his family from a sniper’s bullets at former President Donald Trump’s campaign rally wasn’t even supposed to be sitting in the seat that put him in the line of fire, a grieving pal said.
Corey Comperatore, 50, moved to the front-row seat just moments before the presidential hopeful was slated to speak — and before a deranged gunman launched a fatal attack that rocked the nation.
“So talk about a freak, freak accident. That he wasn’t even supposed to be sitting there and he ends up losing his life,” Scott Dockherty, the CEO of manufacturing company CID Associates, where Comperatore’s brother worked, said Thursday.
Corey Comperatore was the only person killed when a deranged gunman opened fire at a Donald Trump campaign rally. AP
Dockherty revealed the tragic twist outside Comperatore’s wake at Laube Hall in Freeport, where hundreds of mourners paid their respects.
“You realize that Corey and his family weren’t even supposed to sit in those seats,” Dockherty told reporters, citing a conversation he had with Compertore’s brother, Steve.
The Comperatores were standing to the left of the stage just before Trump was slated to speak — until someone offered the family of four front-row tickets, a no-brainer for the Trump superfan.
Hundreds of mourners paid their respects at a memorial service for Comperatore Thursday. REUTERS Comperatore shielded his wife and two daughters when the gunfire broke out, his family said. AFP via Getty Images Helen watches on at a vigil for her husband of nearly 29 years. LP Media
“So Corey said, ‘Yes, I would love to do that,'” Dockherty said.
Comperatore was killed and two others were wounded — David Dutch , 57, and James Copenhaver, 54, who were critically injured but are expected to recover.
Secret Service agents returned swift fire, killing Crooks just seconds after the chaos began.
Investigators are still combing through the attempted assassin’s devices for a motive.
“It’s heartbreaking. A man lost his life because of hatred in this country. It’s terrible … The world has to change and it needs to change fast. It’s sad,” Dockherty said.
“The hatred is terrible.”
Comperatore was a volunteer firefighter at the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company. AP Compertore’s brother, Scott Dockherty, told reporters, “You realize that Corey and his family weren’t even supposed to sit in those seats,” he told reporters, citing a conversation that he had with his brother. Association for Iron & Steel Technology /Facebook
The Comperatores were standing to the left of the stage just before Trump was slated to speak — until someone offered the family of four front-row tickets, a no-brainer for the Trump superfan. Facebook/Helen Comperatore “It’s heartbreaking. A man lost his life because of hatred in this country. It’s terrible … The world has to change and it needs to change fast. It’s sad,” Dockherty said. Courtesy Buffalo Township VFC Comperatore was on the verge of celebrating his 29th wedding anniversary with his wife, Helen as the pair were childhood sweethearts. DANIEL WILLIAM MCKNIGHT
Comperatore served as chief of Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company for a couple years in the early 2000s before cutting back his role to focus on his family.
Comperatore was on the verge of celebrating his 29th wedding anniversary with his wife, Helen.
The pair were childhood sweethearts.
“He was a simple man but he put his wife and kids first all the time. I did nothing here. I didn’t lift a finger. He did everything,” Helen told The Post.
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