On Saturday, a heartfelt gathering took place as friends, family, and supporters came together to honor the life of Buffalo Township firefighter Corey Coperatore, whose tragic shooting death during a rally for President Donald Trump has left an indelible mark on the Butler community. This Sunday marks one year since the tragedy.
“They are amazing people, and they deserve every bit of this day,” said Butler native and country singer Gary Burke III.
Coperatore was not just a dedicated firefighter; he was a beloved husband and father who, according to officials, made the ultimate sacrifice while shielding his wife and two daughters from harm. The community chose to come together this weekend, not to dwell on their grief, but to celebrate the life of a man whose courage and dedication will never be forgotten.
The day commenced with the “Corey Cruise,” a memorial event that included a nearly 50-mile motorcycle ride. The second part of the day was filled with warmth and encouragement, featuring a concert and a motivational speakers’ series, including mental health professionals who offered to help the community navigate the difficult emotions surrounding their loss.
“His family has just completed their first year of ‘firsts’ without him — Christmas, Easter, the Fourth of July. One of the girls is getting married, so she won’t have her dad to walk her down the aisle. Everyone is feeling something on an emotional level,” said Daniel Jarvis from the Healing the Hero non-profit.
Jarvis and his colleague Abel Rodriguez traveled all the way from Florida to be present. Healing the Hero’s mission is to provide hope and healing for military personnel, veterans, first responders, and Gold Star families dealing with mental health challenges.
Gary Burke III also created a deeply moving tribute — an original song titled “Until We Meet Again.”
“I was asked to use Corey’s eulogy and put it into a song. It was really special for me,” he reflected.
Slippery Rock Mayor Jondavid Longo, who was present at the rally last year, shared his feelings about the impact of Corey’s legacy. Though he didn’t know Corey personally, he emphasized the importance of unity in Butler and throughout Western PA.
“We are reflecting on the hard-earned lessons of that day and hopefully learning that we never have to relive that situation again. Everyone should understand that political violence is never acceptable, no matter the circumstances,” Longo, said.
Organizers expressed their hope that this gathering would be the first of many more memorials to come in Butler County.
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