Billy Ray Cyrus Performs At Funeral for Firefighter Killed At Trump Rally: ‘He Gave All For His Family And His Country’
Cyrus honored the late Corey Comperatore with a rendition of “Amazing Grace” and a performance of “Some Gave All.”
Billy Ray Cyrus; Photo by Andrew Wendowski, Corey Comperatore; Photo Courtesy Allyson Comperatore/ Facebook
Billy Ray Cyrus paid his respects to Corey Comperatore, the firefighter who was shot and killed at the Donald Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, with a two-song performance at his funeral on Friday (July 19).
According to People.com, Cyrus, 62, performed “Amazing Grace” as well as his 1992 release, “Some Gave All,” during Comperatore’s celebration of life at Cabot Church in Cabot, PA, where Comperatore was reportedly a longtime member.
Cyrus shared a video clip from Friday’s celebration of life and wrote, Corey Comperatore made the ultimate sacrifice. He gave all for his family and his country. It was an honor to be at his service today. You’re all in my prayers. All Gave Some Some Gave All.”
Earlier in the week, following the shocking news of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and the devastating news of Comperatore’s death, Cyrus shared a heartfelt message on social media.
“Just saw this post about Corey Comperatore who shielded his family. This firefighter lived, and died, to give all for his family and country. I am praying for America, Corey Comperatore’s family, the people critically wounded, the families who experienced trauma by witnessing it all unfold,” he wrote. “I wrote ‘Some Gave All’ in 1989 and I’ve seen many photos and moments in the past that articulated what I wrote the song about, but none more than this, on this given day. Thoughts and prayers with Corey Comperatore, Mr Trump, his family, all the brave men and women who were willing to give their all in the name of freedom and democracy.”
The New York Times reports a procession of around 500 fire trucks from as far as Texas and Florida drove from the church to the fire station where the late father and husband served his community for decades. Along the drive, a large electronic billboard reportedly showcased a photo of Corey Comperatore, honoring him as a “real hero.”
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro praised Comperatore for his bravery as he “died trying to protect his family.”
Following Comperatore’s tragic death, his daughter, Allyson, penned a heartfelt dedication to her father with hopes to convey his bravery in the moments leading to his death.
“I want everyone to know what the media will not cover, and will not say about him,” she urged.
As she continued, she recalled her father’s unwavering dedication to his family.
“He was the best dad a girl could ever ask for. My sister and I never needed for anything. You call, he would answer, and he would do whatever it is you needed, and if he didn’t know how he would figure out how. He could talk and make friends with anyone, which he was doing all day yesterday and loved every minute of it,” she shared. “He was a man of God, loved Jesus fiercely, and also looked after our church and our members as family.”
She added, “The media will not tell you that he died a real-life super hero. They are not going to tell you how quickly he threw my mom and I to the ground. They are not going to tell you that he shielded my body from the bullet that came at us.”
In closing, she promised to never stop thinking about her dad and declared that she will love him forever, no matter what.
“He loved his family. 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. I want nothing more than to wake up and for this to not be reality for me and my family,’ she stated.
Trump paid tribute to Corey Comperatore during the Republican National Convention on Thursday evening. According to CBS News, he said, “Tragically the shooter claimed the life of one of our fellow Americans, Corey Comperatore, unbelievable person, everybody tells me.”
He then prompted the crowd to offer a moment of silence for the late firefighter.
“He was incredible, he was a highly respected former fire chief,” Trump proclaimed. “…He lost his life selflessly acting as a human shield to protect them from flying bullets. He went right over the top of them and was hit. What a fine man he was.”
A GoFundMe to support Comperatore’s family has raised over $1.3 million to date.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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