Kaylee Comperatore, left, and Helen Comperatore applaud during the question-and-answer portion of the program before a screening of the “Butler Under Fire” documentary Thursday at the Penn Theater. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
“Butler Under Fire: The Story of the Unsung Heroes,” left community members deeply moved by the heroic actions of local emergency services units and SWAT teams on July 13.
The 23-minute documentary, streamed by Fox Nation and produced by Kiss Fly Productions, highlights the loss of Corey Comperatore, volunteer with the Buffalo Township fire department. The film focuses on the actions of the Butler County Emergency Services Unit SWAT team amid the attempted assassination of then-former President Donald Trump.
The documentary shows radio communications and firsthand accounts of emergency services assisting the Secret Service and responding to protect lives. A handful of responders, particularly Ed Lenz, commander of Butler County ESU, and police officer Christopher Kopas, described the minute-by-minute events of that day.
The film featured video footage from the response to the shooting, as well as part of congressional testimony from Lenz and Kopas in the aftermath.
Helen Comperatore, Corey’s widow, along with her family and members of the Butler ESU team, were present at the Penn Theater in Butler for a screening of the documentary. Comperatore and her two daughters, Allyson and Kaylee, expressed gratitude toward the community for supporting the family, and “making the hard days easier.”
“I think that’s what’s helping our healing a lot, is the community support. I think that’s really helped our family move forward,” Helen Comperatore said.
The Comperatore family has received national media coverage ever since the death of Corey. The family, along with first responders, worked closely with the production of the documentary.
“I love what we did. I’m very proud of it,” Comperatore said. “And I look forward to following documentaries that are coming out.”
Community members overwhelmingly appreciated the documentary, with many wiping tears from their eyes and giving multiple applause and standing ovations for Comperatore and first responders after the viewings.
“It’s not usually a secret that in Butler County, we have a lot of community support. It’s not that people have to be out there screaming and yelling to show their support, but we know that the overwhelming majority of people in Butler County support everything that we do,” Kopas told the Butler Eagle. “The outreach and the support that the community is giving us is much appreciated.”
The lead producer of the film, Franco Porporino, thanked attendees for supporting the family and first responders that he had become close to during the process of filming, expressing appreciation for Corey’s sacrifice.
“As this production unfolded, I said it to Helen, I said it to my executive producer, that we felt Corey’s presence throughout this production,” Porporino said.
Community members waited in long lines in the rain outside of the theater to watch the documentary and support the Comperatore family. Friends and families shared their appreciation for Butler emergency personnel, while VOICe handed out flyers with information on counseling for anybody affected by the shooting.
“It was so well done, and it was tasteful,” community member Brandy Kight said. “And everyone should know that the Butler ESU save a lot of lives that day.”
“It was so powerful. And you feel the truth about how bad it was,” Bob Arturo added. Arturo was part of a group promoting QRF Apparel Co., a company selling T-shirts they say are in honor of Comperatore.
Comperatore, who said she was amazed at the lines of people there to support her family, made a point to thank the community for coming out to see the documentary.
Joan Baker becomes emotional during the premier of the “Butler Under Fire” documentary at Penn Theater on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
A line formed outside of the Penn Theater during the premier of the “Butler Under Fire” documentary on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Members of the Butler County ESU 400 Team are recognized by thunderous applause after the showing of the “Butler Under Fire” documentary at Penn Theater on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
A special showing of the “Butler Under Fire” documentary at Penn Theater was Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
A special showing of the “Butler Under Fire” documentary at Penn Theater was Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
A special showing of the “Butler Under Fire” documentary at Penn Theater was Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Helen Comperatore talks with attendees after the screening of the “Butler Under Fire” documentary at Penn Theater on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Helen Comperatore sits in the front row with her daughters, Allyson and Kaylee, during the screening of the “Butler Under Fire” documentary at Penn Theater on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Cory Comperatore was honored at the entrance of the screening of the “Butler Under Fire” documentary at Penn Theater on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Helen Comperatore talks with attendees after the screening of the “Butler Under Fire” documentary at Penn Theater on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
A long line of people wait to enter the Penn Theater for the screening of the “Butler Under Fire” documentary on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Linda Lyons, who was at both Trump rallies in Butler, talks during the question-and-answer period after the screening of the “Butler Under Fire” documentary at Penn Theater on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Chris Kopas, who was as both Butler Trump rallies as part of the Butler County ESU 400 Team, talks with attendees at the screening of the “Butler Under Fire” documentary at Penn Theater on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Kaylee Comperatore, left, and Helen Comperatore sit in the front row during the screening of the “Butler Under Fire” documentary at Penn Theater on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Allyson Comperatore, left, Kaylee Comperatore and Helen Comperatore sit in the front row during the screening of the “Butler Under Fire” documentary at Penn Theater on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Attendees speak during the question-and-answer period after the showing of the “Butler Under Fire” documentary at Penn Theater on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Attendees speak during the question-and-answer period after the showing of the “Butler Under Fire” documentary at Penn Theater on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Linda Lyons, who was at both Trump rallies in Butler, talks during the question-and-answer period after the screening of the “Butler Under Fire” documentary at Penn Theater on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Helen Comperatore hugs her brother-in-law, Steve Warheit, after the screening of the “Butler Under Fire” documentary at Penn Theater on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Kaylee Comperatore watches the “Butler Under Fire” documentary at Penn Theater on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Kaylee Comperatore watches the “Butler Under Fire” documentary at Penn Theater on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
