(NewsNation) — The devastated communities of southwest Pennsylvania have turned out for the funeral of Corey Comperatore, the 50-year-old volunteer fire chief who was killed during the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump.
The funeral began around 11 a.m. local time, with firefighters from the entire region arriving in Freeport, PA to mourn the loss of Comperatore.
Dozens of firetrucks will take part in a procession past Comperatore’s home en route to a cemetery.
Former President Trump paid tribute to Comperatore during his speech at the RNC on Thursday night, kissing his firefighter helmet.
“Tragically, the shooter claimed the life of one of our fellow Americans, Corey Comperatore. Unbelievable person everybody tells me,” Trump said.
The Freehold community has shown their support for the family by lowering flags to half-mast and putting messages out along the roads to be traveled to the ceremony.
Comperatore was a volunteer firefighter in the community since 1994. He died shielding his family from bullets while attending Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday.
A visitation was held for Comperatore on Thursday, a day after an event to memorialize his life took place.