By Sarah Roebuck
SA国际传媒
BUTLER, Pa. 鈥� A fundraiser benefiting the family of a has surpassed its goal.
, a former Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company chief, died on July 13 during an assassination attempt on the former president,.
set up to support Comperatore鈥檚 family has raised more than $1 million, surpassing its goal of $7,000. More than 18,000 people have donated to the fundraiser since it was set up on Sunday morning.
Comperatore died while shielding his loved ones from the bullets.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Comperatore鈥檚 wife, Helen Comperatore, wanted everyone to know that her husband died a hero.
鈥淐orey dove on his family to protect them last night at this rally,鈥� Shapiro . 鈥淐orey was the very best of us. May his memory be a blessing.鈥�
His loved ones recalled his heroic last moments in social media posts.
鈥淗e shielded my body from the bullet that came at us,鈥� one daughter, Allyson Comperatore, . 鈥淗e loved his family. He truly loved us enough to take a real bullet for us.鈥�
Randy Reamer, the president of the Buffalo Township volunteer fire company, Comperatore was 鈥渁 stand-up guy鈥� and 鈥渁 true brother of the fire service.鈥� Reamer mentioned that Comperatore had served as the company鈥檚 chief for approximately 3 years and was also a life member.
鈥淛ust a great all-around guy, always willing to help someone out,鈥� Reamer said of Comperatore. 鈥淗e definitely stood up for what he believed in, never backed down to anyone 鈥� He was a really good guy.鈥�
Shapiro said two other rally attendees were also critically injured in the shooting.
The FBI identified the shooter as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, according to the Associated Press. An FBI official said investigators had not yet determined a motive.
