The family of Sergeant Aaron Zaliponi, credited with firing the shot that stopped Thomas Crooks, the assailant who targeted former President Donald Trump at a 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, claims he has been overlooked by federal officials. Zaliponi's mother-in-law, Kim Geyer, stated that federal agencies appear "embarrassed" and have manipulated the narrative to credit the Secret Service for neutralizing the threat.
During the July 13, 2024 rally, Crooks opened fire from a shed roof approximately 400 feet from Trump, discharging eight shots before Zaliponi, a member of the Adams Township Emergency Service Unit SWAT team, responded. Zaliponi's shot reportedly hit Crooks' rifle, shattering its stock and causing shrapnel to strike his neck and jaw. This impact, described as "stunning" Crooks, is credited by Zaliponi's family and a bipartisan congressional report with delaying his attack, allowing a Secret Service sniper to then fire the fatal shot.
The congressional report concluded that Zaliponi's shot "set up the delayed but successful kill shot by a Secret Service counter-sniper." However, the FBI stated it found no forensic evidence that Zaliponi's shot hit Crooks or his rifle. Geyer expressed frustration, saying, "As far as the FBI and the Secret Service go nobody wanted to take this into account. They just wanted the narrative to be that Thomas Crooks was killed and the threat was eliminated."
Crooks's attack resulted in the death of 50-year-old former fire chief Corey Comperatore and critically injured two other attendees, while Trump himself sustained a graze wound to the ear. Geyer emphasized that Zaliponi, who was positioned behind a barn about 115 yards from Crooks, was not part of the presidential detail but was present as a local law enforcement member.
According to analysis by the bipartisan House task force, 10.05 seconds elapsed between Zaliponi's ninth shot and the Secret Service sniper's shot. In contrast, 5.86 seconds passed between Crooks's first shot and Zaliponi's response. Autopsy X-rays reportedly show shrapnel in Crooks's right shoulder consistent with Zaliponi's bullet impact.
Despite Zaliponi's actions, his family claims federal agencies have not publicly acknowledged his role. Geyer noted that Zaliponi's firearm, used in the incident, has not been returned by the FBI. Further adding to their frustration, Zaliponi was reportedly present at a "Return Rally" in Butler on October 4, 2024, which Trump hosted to thank first responders, but was not invited on stage.
While Trump has recently honored police officers, including a White House event for an officer involved in a March 2026 incident, Zaliponi's family feels he has been overlooked. Geyer mentioned that various organizations, including the National Rifle Association (NRA), which awarded Zaliponi its 2025 "Officer of the Year" award, have recognized him, but federal recognition remains absent. She believes federal agencies are trying to protect their image after security failures.
Zaliponi, a military veteran with three tours of duty, is described by his mother-in-law as a humble individual who is not seeking publicity. "I just was hopeful Aaron would get to meet President Trump one day," Geyer stated.