Trump Pays Tribute to Supporter Killed by Bullet Intended for Him in Butler, PA: ‘He’s Become Somewhat of a Folk Hero!’

Former President Donald Trump paid tribute to Corey Comperatore, the supporter of his who was killed in July during an attempt on his own life, upon his return to Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday night.

Comperatore, 50, was killed by a bullet police said Matthew Thomas Crooks fired that was intended for the country’s 45th president and the GOP’s current presidential nominee.

Trump made note of the bullet that grazed his ear and also commented on several rallygoers who were hurt during the attempted assassination. He then paid tribute to Comperatore and his family.

“Of course, there’s one more hero who could not make it back here tonight because he is no longer with us,” Trump said of the late firefighter. “We all miss him. He’s become somewhat of a folk hero!”

Trump noted Comperatore’s family was at the rally, located them in the crowd, and then addressed them. Trump said:

Thank you very much. Thank you very much thank you very much. Great family. A great, incredible family. And he loved you a lot and you know his wife said something very beautiful. The public a lot of people, all of us, a lot of people have been very generous [to her]. And she said I’d rather have my husband. That’s a good thing to say. That’s a good thing to say. I’d rather have my husband. Incredible husband and father, a devout Christian, a veteran, and a proud former fire chief, very respected within the town.

Everybody knew him. Few men volunteered to run into fires, but Corey was one of those who did. He ran into fires. I spoke to people that were with this guy, [he] would do anything, he was brave, right? Brave guy and he was also a protector who put his life on the line for others. And he loved doing it. And when the sound of gunshots pierced the air on that July evening, Corey lept into the fire one more time and his last seconds on this Earth. He threw himself on the top of his wife and daughters. He didn’t want them hurt. He threw himself. He knew what was happening. He didn’t want them hurt and he was hit hard. He was hit hard and he gave his life to shield theirs.

At 6:11 p.m. ET Trump noted it had been 12 weeks to the minute since Comperatore had been killed. He asked those at the rally to honor the fallen firefighter through a moment of silence.

Watch above via CNN.