Morning parade kicks off Corey’s Cruise festivities in Saxonburg
The car driving Helen, Kaylee and Allyson Comperatore comes down Main Street in Saxonburg during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
SAXONBURG — American flags lined Saxonburg’s Main Street Saturday, July 12, as the community gathered with a brief parade to remember Corey Comperatore, a former Buffalo Township fire chief who was killed one year ago at Donald Trump’s July 13 rally at the Butler Farm Show.
Corey’s widow, Helen Comperatore, and two daughters, Kaylee and Allyson, brought up the rear of the parade riding in a 1992 Ford Mustang LX convertible. The Fox body Mustang was Corey Comperatore’s favorite car.
Helen Comperatore waves to the crowd during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Maria Berzonski, a Jefferson Township resident since 1975, spoke about how she helped organize the parade and what it meant to her.
“I wouldn’t have even gotten involved if I didn’t have great respect for (Corey),” she said while sitting after the parade in Saxonburg Coffee & Tea, which her daughter owns.
Berzonski said her heart ached for Corey’s daughter, who was beside him when he was shot at the rally. Berzonski and Scott Docherty, another Corey’s Cruise organizer, worked with others to use Saxonburg’s main street to honor Corey.
Berzonski was initially recruited to help sell T-shirts and hats to raise money for the cruise before she began organizing the groups for the parade.
Saxonburg businesses such as Sprankle’s Marketing Group combined to supply the microphone and sound system for the parade and for emcee Karin Lund to announce each parade group.
Helen and her daughters stayed for a brief statue dedication ceremony at the South Butler Community Library before continuing in the vehicle to participate in Corey’s Cruise, a motorcycle convey riding from Freeport Area Senior High School in Buffalo Township to No Offseason Sports in Russellton in his honor.
Saxonburg Police lead the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
The Saxonburg parade led by Saxonburg police stepped off just after 9 a.m. Volunteers in yellow “Corey’s Cruise” shirts had just finished passing out small American flags and crosses to onlookers. The parade stepped off from St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, but most onlookers gathered closer to the South Butler Community Library for the statue dedication ceremony.
The parade featured bagpipers, church groups, local scout troops and veterans groups. Saxonburg VFW Post 7376, Saxonburg American Legion Post 683, Cub Scout Pack 557, Girl Scout Troop 52938, Berean Mission Group, New Life Christian Ministries, Forged in Faith and a Christian discipleship program all had members march in the parade. A local artist’s sculpture of Corey Comperatore’s Buffalo Township fire uniform was also featured in the parade.
A Corey Comperatore statue is carried into the South Butler Community Library after a parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, filed down Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Parade participants file down Main Street in Saxonburg during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Saxonburg Police lead the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Saxonburg Police lead the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Parade participants file down Main Street in Saxonburg during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Parade participants file down Main Street in Saxonburg during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Parade attendees wave U.S. Flags during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Parade participants file down Main Street in Saxonburg during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Parade participants file down Main Street in Saxonburg during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Parade attendees wave U.S. Flags during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Community members attend the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A Corey Comperatore statue sits in the South Butler Community Library after it was driven through Saxonburg during a parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A Corey Comperatore statue is carried into the South Butler Community Library after a parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, filed down Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Bagpipers play taps during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Cub Scout 557 out of Sarver watches the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
The car driving Helen, Kaylee and Allyson Comperatore comes down Main Street in Saxonburg during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Helen Comperatore waves to the crowd during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A statue honoring Corey Comperatore is driven down Main Street in Saxonburg during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Helen Comperatore waves to the crowd during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
U.S. Flags line Main Street in Saxonburg ahead of the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A protection detail surrounds the car driving Helen, Kaylee and Allyson Comperatore during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Karen Salvaggio gives a motivation speech at the South Butler Community Library after the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, filed down Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A protection detail surrounds the car driving Helen, Kaylee and Allyson Comperatore during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Amy Giles gives a martial arts demonstration at the South Butler Community Library after the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, filed down Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
A protection detail surrounds the car driving Helen, Kaylee and Allyson Comperatore during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Helen Comperatore speaks during the dedication of a statue in memory of Corey Comperatore to the South Butler Community Library after parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, was held along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Community members wave to the car driving Helen, Kaylee and Allyson Comperatore as they leave South Butler Community Library and head to Freeport after a parade was held in Saxonburg honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
Community members wave to the car driving Helen, Kaylee and Allyson Comperatore as they leave South Butler Community Library and head to Freeport after a parade was held in Saxonburg honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Parade participants file down Main Street in Saxonburg during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Saxonburg Police lead the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Saxonburg Police lead the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Parade participants file down Main Street in Saxonburg during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Parade participants file down Main Street in Saxonburg during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Parade attendees wave U.S. Flags during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Parade participants file down Main Street in Saxonburg during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Parade participants file down Main Street in Saxonburg during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Parade attendees wave U.S. Flags during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Community members attend the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A Corey Comperatore statue sits in the South Butler Community Library after it was driven through Saxonburg during a parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A Corey Comperatore statue is carried into the South Butler Community Library after a parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, filed down Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Bagpipers play taps during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Cub Scout 557 out of Sarver watches the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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The car driving Helen, Kaylee and Allyson Comperatore comes down Main Street in Saxonburg during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Helen Comperatore waves to the crowd during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A statue honoring Corey Comperatore is driven down Main Street in Saxonburg during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Helen Comperatore waves to the crowd during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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U.S. Flags line Main Street in Saxonburg ahead of the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A protection detail surrounds the car driving Helen, Kaylee and Allyson Comperatore during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Karen Salvaggio gives a motivation speech at the South Butler Community Library after the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, filed down Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A protection detail surrounds the car driving Helen, Kaylee and Allyson Comperatore during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Amy Giles gives a martial arts demonstration at the South Butler Community Library after the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, filed down Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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A protection detail surrounds the car driving Helen, Kaylee and Allyson Comperatore during the parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Helen Comperatore speaks during the dedication of a statue in memory of Corey Comperatore to the South Butler Community Library after parade honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, was held along Main Street in Saxonburg on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Community members wave to the car driving Helen, Kaylee and Allyson Comperatore as they leave South Butler Community Library and head to Freeport after a parade was held in Saxonburg honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
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Community members wave to the car driving Helen, Kaylee and Allyson Comperatore as they leave South Butler Community Library and head to Freeport after a parade was held in Saxonburg honoring the former Buffalo Township resident and firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed during the assassination attempt of Donald Trump last year, on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle
