Trump reserved part of his speech for remembering Corey Comperatore, the 50-year-old father, husband and firefighter who was killed by the shooter Saturday.
On stage, Trump displayed Comperatore’s firefighter helmet and jacket. Comperatore died shielding his family from the bullets.
“Tragically, the shooter claimed the life of one of our fellow Americans, Corey Comperatore, unbelievable person, everybody tells me, unbelievable. And seriously wounded two other great warriors, spoke to them today — David Dutch and James Copenhaver,” Trump said. “Two great people. I also spoke to all three families of these tremendous people — our love and prayers are with them, and always will be. We’re never going to forget them. They came for a great rally. They were serious Trumpsters, I want to tell you.
“But Corey unfortunately, we have to use the past tense,” Trump continued. “He was incredible. He was a highly respected former fire chief, respected by everybody, was accompanied by his wife Helen, incredible woman … and two precious daughters. 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.”
The former president walked over to Comperatore’s firefighting helmet and jacket, kissing the helmet. Trump said Americans have raised more than $6 million for those three families.
“They’re warriors,” he said.
Trump and the whole convention center observed a moment of silence in Comperatore’s honor.