Site last updated: Monday, July 14, 2025

Log In

Reset Password
MENU
Butler County's great daily newspaper

It was about Corey

This weekend’s events could easily have been turned into a push for politics, but that isn’t Helen Comperatore.

Helen went out of her way to ensure the events organized in honor of her late husband to commemorate his death a year after the assassination attempt on then candidate President Donald Trump were about Corey — not partisan politics.

Helen could have made the events of the weekend a push for any number of political causes. She could have taken sides and lashed out at.

She did not. She stolidly, despite the emotional toll she must still feel, stood strong and made the weekend about a man who gave so much for his community — regardless of their politics.

Corey Comperatore served voluntarily to keep his neighbors safe. He didn’t have to. He felt a duty to help his fellow man. And he died being that same protector — shielding his family from harm.

The Comperatores chose to take the opportunity to honor him, despite the spotlight put on them, in a nonpartisan way. They chose to focus on the good they could do for the community.

They chose to do what they believe Corey would have wanted.

They didn’t have to. They’re national media figures, with all of the benefits and drawbacks that entails. They chose to focus on helping people in Butler County.

She cited the support the community has had for her over the past year, saying Saturday, “People have cared all along, not just today, all year long. I have been so well taken care of this past year.”

That is something to be proud of, both for the community for taking care of her and her family and her for taking care of the community.

That is the best of us. It should not take a tragedy to make us see that. We should strive for that every day. Our community being there for each other should just be the norm.

— JP

More in Our Opinion

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS