Corey Comperatore Foundation will honor fallen firefighter, aid first responders, family says

About a year-and-a-half after Corey Comperatore was slain during the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump at a political rally in Butler County, the former firefighter’s family plans to start a foundation in his name.

The Corey Comperatore Foundation will be a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit aimed at financially supporting first responders, veterans and dog rescues with grants, according to Corey’s widow, Helen Comperatore.

An Army veteran and longtime firefighter with the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company, Corey also had a love of dogs, especially Dobermans, she said.

“The foundation, that was something that was close to my heart for a while,” said Comperatore, of Buffalo Township. “I don’t want him forgotten.”

Though not yet officially formed, the nonprofit will be based in a building recently leased by the family on Ekastown Road in Buffalo Township.

Comperatore, her daughters Kaylee and Allyson, and Corey’s longtime friend and fellow firefighter Kip Johnston will occupy the four offices of the building, Comperatore said.

Inside, Comperatore said they plan to adorn the space with photos of Corey and items from his life.

Johnston said it will be open to the public to view.

“We’re going to decorate that building and show what Corey was all about,” he said.

Comperatore said the nonprofit will be funded by donations and sponsorships from local businesses, though they haven’t begun fundraising yet.

When the building — formerly occupied by Do It Right Roofing — recently went on the market, Comperatore had to seize the moment.

“It was a huge opportunity that just jumped in our face,” Comperatore said. “I feel like it was put there for us.”

In addition the foundation’s activities, she said the building will be used as a headquarters to plan the next edition of Corey’s Cruise. The motorcycle cruise and memorial event marking a year since Corey’s death had its first edition in July.

This year, most of the event will take place at the Big Butler Fairgrounds in Prospect.

The date for the 2026 cruise is set for July 25, Comperatore said.

Johnston, one of the main organizers of the cruise, said work has already begun to plan the event.

With warmer weather in early spring, Comperatore said she plans to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the building.

In the meantime, she said she’d focus on fundraising and establishing the nonprofit.

“We’ve got good things coming,” Comperatore said.