Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I remember when this happened. I live 4 blocks away from the church and we had gotten a lockdown call to shelter in place not knowing what was happening. Officer Collura was a wonderful person. She took care of her community, handed out glow sticks to the kids to protect them in the dark, was often at school functions and generally a beautiful soul. She is in a much better place now then here. We will always remember and miss her.

SHERI R ROSE
resident

April 17, 2024

I went to the Bergen County Police Academy in Mahwah NJ with Mary Ann many years ago. May God rest her soul. She was a wonderful person.

Brian McGarry Det.Ret.
Kearny Police Department

May 25, 2023

You will not be forgotten. Thank you for making our country a better place.

Det. Bryan Bonitati
Maryland Department of Public Safety

April 17, 2023

Officer Collura,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Fair Lawn. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 17, 2023

Rest in Peace my sister.

Pltm. Mark Hanson
Millburn PD

April 17, 2022

Thank you for your service and rest in peace always knowing that your sacrifice will always be remembered by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

April 17, 2021

Mary Ann comes to mind often. I worked in Homicide in Bergen County when Mary Ann was murdered and took part in the investigation. I knew her from classes at the academy years before her death. Her passing was a tragic loss for her family and Fair Lawn. May she always be remembered.

Russ Christiana
Bergen County Prosecutor's Office - Retired

October 12, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Collura.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 15, 2020

Rest in Peace Officer Collura. Thank you for your service. My thoughts and prayers are with the Collura Family and the Fair Lawn Police Department.

Cpl. Gary Hughes (Retired)
Passaic County Sheriff's Office
Wayne, New Jersey

June 16, 2019

I met Mary Ann at the funeral for Orange, NJ Police Officer. Joyce Carnegie in April, 1999. I remember getting eye contact with Officer Collura as I was exiting the church after standing sentry at the casket. She stepped forward towards me to extend her hand and offered her condolences. While there were literally thousands of officers there that day Mary Ann stood out to me, Her condolences where heartfelt . I watched her look around with pride at the approximately 7,500 Officer's from all over the united states and Countries from around the world, Rome Italy, Sydney, Australia,Paris, France, Berlin, Germany, Canadian, all paying tribute to the 2nd female Officer killed in the line of duty in New Jersey. it was an Awesome Spectacle of police presence that I had ever seen in one place and I had attended many police funerals prior. Almost three years to the day we heard over SPEN that a Fairlawn Police Officer was shot and killed and a Clifton officer was also shot and the suspect escaped in a Fairlawn Police Car. I new it was you for some reason even before they announced the Fairlawn Officer's identity. I remember attending your Funeral, it was just as overwhelming in police presence and just as powerful for the 3rd female Officer killed in the line of duty in New Jersey. I didn't know you but only for that one hand shake of condolences when I was in pain. It gave me strength that day and I wish you new that.

I was in DC this year and payed my respects to you on the Memorial Wall, the same Clifton Officer was there too. 16 years later you remain alive in memory and you definitely Will Never Be Forgotten !

Sgt. J Rainforth
City of Orange, NJ Police Dept.

May 30, 2019

May you continue to Rest In Peace Mary Ann, our sister in blue. You will always be remembered for your heroic acts, your kindness & your professionalism. God bless your family, both Blood & Blue as you are remembered in our prayers.

Sgt. Debby McGorty, Retired
Weehawken PD, Hudson County New Jersey

April 17, 2019

Rest In Peace Sister in Blue. You are honored and remembered on the 16th anniversary of your EOW. Never forgotten.

Officer Mike Robinson(Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

April 17, 2019

RIP...

Officer Britton #999
Columbus PD

April 17, 2018

RIP...Dear Sister. I'm sure you'll be missed,

Sgt. Thomas Prime, Retired
Demarest Police Department

April 17, 2016

My name is Vanessa Perez a recruit from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. I Just completed 11 weeks of the academy and extremely excited to know that I just have 11 more to go. It was an honor reading about officer Mary Ann Collura's story as being the first female officer in the department. As a female myself, it gave me even more motivation to finish this academy and to continue to demonstrate to the public that women can do this job as well. My condolences to her family and friends. Thank you.

Vanessa perez / recruit class 413
LASD

April 17, 2016

Many Officers working that night knew how much was happening in Fair Lawn. It was a busy night that most of us would rather forget, but Mary Ann would never let you forget. In one minute she could hold you so tight you knew exactly how she felt about you, in another instance you could have a deep, lengthy argument with her and know you were wrong. She never stopped giving and so true to her life she gave the most important thing anyone could give, her life to save another. Love is not typically something said within a Police Department, Mary Ann was love too the maximum. We miss your smile, your warmth, your sincerity, but most of all we miss your love. Thank you for everything. Thank you for looking over us and keeping us safe. Thank you for being MAC #136 through and through.

Police Officer
North Jersey Police Department

April 7, 2016

RIP

Detective Dennis Pothos
Fort Lee, NJ Police Department

May 29, 2015

A friend of our family and many others in our town. if you get the chance, come to pay respects at her memorial in front of the Fair Lawn PD. Was well-loved and contributed to her community above and beyond the call of duty.

JDBlackhawk

July 15, 2014

I still remember that night, working the desk @ my PD in Union County. I will never forget it. Hearing it all start on Rt. 46 to the tragic ending over the SPEN. I came to her wake, with many others in full uniform, a terrible emptiness that I still remember when I think back. Our sister was taken from us way too soon. RIP #136

T. Campisi
Union County Police, NJ

June 28, 2014

RIP Ofc. Collura, your sacrifice will never be forgotten. Thank you for paving the way for all of us women who entered law enforcement. I didn't have the pleasure of knowing you, but you sounded like an incredible officer. RIP now, we have the watch from here.

Laura Gibson-Szerokman, Surviving Spouse
of Ofc. Allen W. Gibson, Jr. EOW: 04/25/98

April 17, 2014

Will ride the Haymarket, VA Officer Down Memorial run again this year, my friend. I'll ride in your honor and memory every year until I'm too damned old.

Cathy Jaskot
LT's widow

April 11, 2013

Nine years today. I'll never forget. Rest easy, my friend.

Cathy Jaskot
LT's widow

April 17, 2012

Ma, can't believe its been 9 yrs since you were taken from us. I think about you and miss you every day. Thank you for everything you taught me. You were and will always be an inspiration and will never be forgotten.

Sgt. James Krizek
Fair Lawn Police Dept.

April 17, 2012

Nine Years ago was one of the hardest nights ever! We lost an EXCELLENT POLICE OFFICER but most of all we lost a GREAT WONDERFUL FRIEND. Although you are no longer here for us to see you will ALWAYS be in our hearts. You are TRULY missed EVERYDAY. GOD BLESS!!!
I hope you are keeping your mom and dad laughing as you ALWAYS did here.
Love Ya Mar
R.I.P.

A VERY DEAR FRIEND

April 17, 2012

As I am about to be promoted I think of you. Thanks for making this Journey easier to travel. Will always remember #136

An old friend

January 23, 2012