The former president Donald Trump observed a moment’s silence on Saturday at his Butler rally, Pennsylvania to honor the memory of a retired fire chief, who had died 12 weeks earlier at an event held in the same location.

Corey Comperatore died while shielding his family from an assassin on a nearby roof as he attempted to kill Trump at the Butler rally in July. Trump returned to Butler Saturday to finish the rally that ended tragically 12 weeks earlier.

Trump observed a moment’s silence at 6:11 pm on Saturday. Comperatore’s uniform was draped over an empty seat during the rally held in his honor. Comperatore attended Cabot Methodist Church, Cabot, Pennsylvania, and was honored by a moving performance of “Ave Maria”.

Trump continued to call Comperatore’s legacy “immortal.”

Comperatore, Corey’s father, was “a protector” who loved to put his own life on the table for others. When the gunshots pierced through the air that evening in July, Corey jumped into the flames one last time. In his final seconds, Corey threw himself onto his wife and daughters. “He didn’t wish to hurt them,” Trump said. “Every father in America hopes to have the courage and guts that Corey possessed, if it came to this, if we were ever faced with such a situation.”

Trump pauses at 6:11pm tonight to honor Corey Comperatore’s sacrifice. This is 12 weeks after the exact moment when the assassin killed him in Butler.

Trump describes Corey’s legacy as “immortal.”pic.twitter.com/3T013mRXQU

— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) October 5, 2024

Comperatore, 50, died on 13 July after an assassin identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park in Pennsylvania, fired at Trump from the rooftop. Comperatore died after being struck by a bullet while protecting his family. Other rally participants were injured.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro hailed Comperatore as a hero a day following the tragedy.

Shapiro stated that “Corey was one of the best among us. May his memory bring him blessings.”

Secret Service rushed Trump off the stage after he was hit in the ear during the July assassination. Trump raised his fist and urged the crowd to “fight, Fight, Fight” before he left.

Trump paid tribute to Comperatore in his keynote speech at the Republican National Convention, which took place a few days after the rally. Trump held a minute of silence in honor of Comperatore, and kissed the helmet that was displayed on his uniform.

Trump said that there is no greater act of love than giving up one’s own life to save another.