Saturday’s event will be remembered in history books as an assassination attempt on former President Trump. But when Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire at the rally in Butler Pennsylvania, his bullets struck more than just the former President’s ear. In the bullet’s path lay three men, one of whom died protecting his family.

When Corey Comperatore, 50, heard gunfire, he yelled “get down” and threw his family to the ground and leapt on top shielding his wife and daughter from the blasts. The fire fighter and US Marine Corps Veteran who had spent his life saving others died that day protecting his family.

“He’s a literal hero. He shoved his family out of the way, and he got killed for them,” said Mike Morehouse, a neighbor of Comperatore. “He’s a hero that I was happy to have as a neighbor.”

Comperatore served as the fire chief in Buffalo Township, PA, had a wife (Helen), two daughters (Allyson, 27, and Kaylee, 24) and was an active member of his church.

“He was the best dad a girl could ever ask for,” said his daughter Allyson, 27, who was with him that day. “He truly loved us enough to take a real bullet for us. And I want nothing more than to cry on him and tell him thank you.”

Corey died just as he lived, a hero.

Helen Comperatore received a phone call from former President Trump but out of deference to her husband politely turned down a phone call from President Biden.

Comperatore’s Sister Kelly Comperatore Meeder was not so polite.

“We’re not offering them anything,” she said of President Biden and his administration. Comperatore Meeder believes the “anger sewn” by the President contributed to Saturday’s shooting.  

David Dutch a 57-year-old retired Marine of New Kensington, PA, suffered injuries to his liver and broken ribs and has undergone surgeries to recover. James Copenhaver a 74-year-old retired grandfather who served on the Moon Township, PA, military banner committee.

Others received minor injuries such as the nephew of Congressman Ronny Jackson (R-TX). Jackson’s nephew was grazed on the neck by a bullet but received treatment on site and was released.

The shooter, Crooks, was killed by a counter-sniper moments after the attack began.