Fair Lawn PD Mourns 
Officer Killed in the Line of Duty

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, 
love makes a memory no one can steal". 

Mary Ann remembered in President Bush's
remarks at Peace Officer's Memorial Service May 15, 2003

Memorial statue dedicated April 15, 2006

     The Fair Lawn Police Department sadly announces the line of duty death of Officer Mary Ann Collura on April 17, 2003.  Officer Collura was fatally shot by a suspect she was trying to arrest.  

     Officer Collura, 43, was an 18 year veteran of the Fair Lawn Police Department, beginning her career on January 2, 1985.  Prior to her appointment to the police department, Officer Collura spent three years as a volunteer with the Fair Lawn Police Reserves.

     Officer Collura was born in New York City.  She was a graduate of Fair Lawn High School and had attended William Patterson College.  She was a life-long resident of Fair Lawn and Fair Lawn's first female police officer.   Being a police officer was her life's dream.    

     Officer Collura was a certified NJ Police Training Commission instructor and had served as one of the department's firearms officers and armorer.  She was also certified as a Police Carbine Instructor.  She had been a member of the Bergen County Rapid Deployment Force for 5 years.  She was a Delegate to the New Jersey State P.B.A.

     Officer Collura had received numerous awards including a departmental Meritorious Service Award and the Hackensack University Medical Center EMS Excellence Award for saving a life with a defibrillator.  She had received numerous commendation letters from the community for her prompt, courteous, and thoughtful service.   

     In 1999, it was Officer Collura's suggestion that the elementary school children be given glowing light sticks to wear at night when trick-or-treating.  Her project has been repeated every year since.         

    Officer Collura is survived by her mother, Helen, her brother Paul, and her sisters Patricia Snyder and Linda Hughes.   

    Mary Ann Collura was a well-respected and well-loved member of the Fair Lawn Police Department.  She will be sadly missed.    

     The Officer Mary Ann Collura Memorial Scholarship has been started.  Click for information. 

     Officer Mary Ann Collura's name is engraved on the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial in Washington, DC (Panel 28, W-24)

     Law Enforcement has lost another hero, may she rest in peace.