Helen Comperatore, the widow of Corey Comperatore—the fire chief killed protecting his daughter during the failed assassination attempt on President Trump almost one year ago—has unleashed blistering criticism against the Secret Service, referring to the organization as “garbage” for its disastrous handling of security in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“I think the Secret Service is garbage,” she told the New York Post. “All I’ve wanted this entire time was to sit down with the men who screwed up that day and find out why. Why? Why at that rally? Why at that one in Butler? Why that day? Why Butler? Why were you such a mess in Butler? Were you told to be a mess? Were you told by someone not to do your job? You do your job every other time, why that day?”
Comperatore, 50, died shielding his daughter when Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire from a rooftop, wounding President Trump and killing Corey during the July 2024 rally. His sister, Dawn Comperatore Schafer, said he “died a hero” protecting his child.
Helen also directed anger at the shooter’s parents. “I want to know why if they knew he had mental issues and he was spiraling like they say, why didn’t they go get him help? If my kid lived in my house and he barely spoke to me and they knew that he had issues and he was going downward, why did they let him leave with a gun that day?”
Despite the heartbreak, she added, “I’m kinder, I don’t have an ounce of hate in my body. I refuse to be angry other than … the Secret Service and that stuff. I don’t let anger bother me. The world is too short for that.”
She cherished a letter from President Trump: “He did send me a letter in June just checking in. He sent me some photos from the day and it was just a beautiful letter saying our families will always be connected and that if I ever need anything to please reach out.”
Helen plans to honor Corey with a memorial ride and concert in Russellton, Pennsylvania, on July 12. “It’s all in honor of Corey. We hope everyone comes out and shows him the love… He’s very missed.”