Fair Lawn Remembers 10th Anniversary of Officer Mary Ann Collura's Murder

Fair Lawn remembers the 10-year anniversary of the tragic death of police officer Mary Ann Collura Wednesday with its annual Officer Mary Ann Collura Memorial Service.

This year's anniversary service will include a memorial service, wreath laying, candlelight vigil and memorial concert over the course of four days.

Collura, an 18-year Fair Lawn Police Department veteran and its first female officer, was killed in the line of duty on April 17, 2003, following a vehicle pursuit that started in Clifton and ended on the lawn of the Van Riper Ellis Broadway Baptist Church on River Road.

On the scene to assist Clifton Police, Collura was fatally shot four times above and below her bullet proof vest while attempting to arrest a suspect on the rear lawn of the church. The suspect then stole Collura's patrol car and ran her over with it before fleeing the scene. 

The suspect was killed three days later in a shootout with Florida police following an intense manhunt.

A lifelong Fair Lawn resident and Fair Lawn High School graduate, Collura was a firearms officer and armorer, a member of the Bergen County Rapid Deployment Force for five years and a delegate to the New Jersey Policemen's Benevolent Association.

She received the Hackensack University Medical Center EMS Excellence Award for saving a life with a defibrillator, in addition to numerous commendation letters from the community for her "prompt, courteous, and thoughtful service," according to the police department's webpage in her memory.

Collura also implemented the borough's practice of distributing glow sticks for elementary school trick-or-treaters to wear on Halloween night.

On Wednesday, April 17, the borough will mark the 10th anniversary of Collura's murder with a remembrance service and wreath laying at 5 p.m. in front of borough hall at the Mary Ann Collura Memorial Statue, a life-size bronze statue of Collura that was unveiled in 2006. Following the service, attendees will process to Van Riper Ellis Broadway Baptist Church for a candlelight memorial service and reception.

Three days later, on Saturday, April 20, Van Riper Ellis will host a memorial concert at 7 p.m. featuring The West Virginians, a group out of Philippi, W.V. "The Ultimate Sacrifice," a song written in tribute to Collura by local songwriter Peter Prince will be performed at the show.

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