Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

You will never be forgotten. You have made a HUGE difference in Fairlawn and in my life. May God be with you and Rest In Peace. I will never forget you! You have been an inspiration to me since I met you. And don't worry, I am staying out of troublee.

March 9, 2005

I still to this day cannot believe you are gone. You made everyone smile and laugh and everyday when I come into work I see your Police Card and your poster that still sits outside the Departments doors. I would give anything for you to still be here with all of us. Rest In Peace my hero!

Co-Worker
Fair Lawn Police

January 13, 2005

Rest in peace sister.

Police Officer
Burlington Township PD

December 23, 2004

I miss you and think of you often.

September 9, 2004

Today I saw a t-shirt that said "in memory of..." and I immediately came to this site when I returned home to read of the fallen hero memorialized on this mans shirt. Officer Collura, may you rest in peace and know that you're memory still lives on. My condolences to your family and fellow officers.

L.E.O. Wife

August 15, 2004

My sincere condolences and deepest sympathy go to the family, friends and members of the Fair Lawn Police Department on the tragic loss of Officer Mary Ann Collura. It has been over a year as I still mull over that horrendous night when one of our own made the ultimate sacrifice. Mary Ann was not only a sister officer but a friend who loved and recognized the value of the job. May you Mary Ann and all of our other fallen Brothers and Sisters rest in eternal peace with their Lord and Savior. Always remember: Blessed Are the Peacemakers for They Shall Always Be Called the Children of GOD.

Lieutenant Gene DiGiacomo
East Orange Police Department

July 31, 2004

On angels ...

"The wings ain't anything but a uniform that's all. When they are in the field so to speak, they always wear them."
Taken from Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Mary Ann ... one year tomorrow ... you're not forgotten ...
April 16, 2004

Anonymous

April 16, 2004

Rest in Peace- Warrior-Sister in Blue....As this sad day of rememberance approaches, please know You will not be forgotten....Peace to your Family, Fellow Officers, and Friends....

Officer Debra S. McFall
East Buffalo Twp P.D.

March 28, 2004

Hey Mare,
We may cry because you are gone, but we also smile because you were here. You made a difference...... Ride free!

Anonymous

March 4, 2004

Maryann,

April 17th is a day I will always remember. I was preparing to celebrate my birthday with a fellow officer. When I called him to make arrangements, he told me he couldn't make it because an officer in Fair Lawn had been shot and killed. I immediately thought of my nephew, a sergeant with the Fair Lawn Police Department.

I didn't know if Michael was working that night, and so I quickly reported to my headquaretrs in hopes of getting some information. Calling Fair Lawn was out of the question, as I knew they'd be busy with the investigation. When I finally learned Michael was okay, I thought I would feel relief. Instead, when I learned it was you, I was stunned. Although I had only been fortunate enough to meet you on two occassions, I thought highly of you both as a fellow officer and as a person.

I know that your department and community will miss you deeply, as evidenced by the tribute they paid you at your funeral, but with your passing, the entire law enforcement community has suffered a blow that can never be undone. Your unselfish giving of yourself to members of area departments is a legacy you and your family can be very proud of.

Maryann, even those of us who didn't know you well will miss you. God Bless you and your family.

Sergeant Angelo LaManna
Ramsey, NJ Police Department

January 9, 2004

Mary Ann,
Walk with the angels and rest in peace. Of all the sisters I've met you were real. your spirit was larger then life with a huge heart to go with it.
Your Sister in blue

Anonymous

November 26, 2003

Hey Mare, It's been some time, I hope your at ease knowing all the scum who were involved are getting what they deserve. Whenever I qualify at the range, I'll think of you and all of your instructions and patience.

Brother Officer
FLPD

November 5, 2003

Rest In Peace My Sister In Blue.

You will not be forgotten.

September 14, 2003

The members of the Kentucky Womens Law Enforcement Network would like to extend their sympathy to the family, friends and fellow Officers of Officer Mary Ann Collura.

Historian--Officer Julie Schmidt
Kentucky Womens Law Enforcement Network

August 20, 2003

Rest in peace SISTER IN BLUE, you are a great spirit for all females in this job. YOU WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN............

P.O.K. McKeand
Bayonne P.D.

I am greatly shocked and deeply sorrowed by the passing of Maryann Collura. I would like to express my condolences to Maryann Collura's family and friends for their sad loss.

State Trooper Brandon Hoaglan
Florida Highway Patrol

MaryAnn, you are so very sadly missed by everyone here in Fair Lawn and all over the world. You were taken from us in such a tragic way that no one will ever understand. Thank God the suspects and shooter were all captured, and they ALL get the time and punishment they deserve. Knowing you all of these years, I'm sure when (the shooter) life was deservely taken by the Florida PD, you were so proud of all the FLPD and other agencies involved. I know that God forbid it been someone else, you would of never stopped until he was captured. That you know is what your fellow officers did as well. The Fair Lawn Police Dept. holds you in high respect, and everyone there misses you extremely. Life would never be the same here in Fair Lawn, one of our own was taken so soon and so tragic. I know you that you are watching over all of your fellow officers to help them stay safe.
MaryAnn, from myself, Vincent and Tony, you will always have a special place in our hearts. Vincent and Tony keep the Christmas ornaments you have given them in their rooms now to remind them of the special friend they lost so soon. Mike misses you in the Dept., but most of all misses you as the friend to him you were for so many years. I see him speak so highly of you all the time, and he feels glad to have made you smile on that tragic day (April 17, 2003) during breifing.
I just want to close with a special note. MaryAnn, you will be sadly missed forever by everyone. Your mom will be looked over by everyone, she may have lost a daughter physically, but your soul is still here. Your mom now has 54+ sons and daughters that will look after her forever.

GOD BLESS YOU MARYANN.

Noreen Messina
Wife of Fair Lawn Police Det. Sgt.

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and fellow officers of Officer Collura.

While many of us in law enforcment wear different colored uniforms, we all share a common goal. We protect society from the criminal element. Rest well my friend, those of us who remain will cover your place on the thin blue line.

Anonymous

God love and bless you, god is looking after you now, america is a tough place, you cops are the best in the world.
I could never understand why you lot carry guns.
" NOW I KNOW"
43 COPS HAVE BEEN KILLED THIS YEAR.
It is so unfair.
god bless you all, from someone who cares so much. xx

N/A
N/A

MARY ANN,

KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE MANY BRAVE BROTHER AND SISTER OFFICERS WHO HAVE FALLEN BEFORE YOU, WAITING TO PROTECT YOU AND GUIDE YOU THROUGH YOUR NEXT JOURNEY. YOU LIVED AND DIED A HERO, NO YOU CAN GO IN PEACE.

D/CHIEF - LT (RET) BILL GLOFFKE
UNPOLICE-KOSOVO / NYPD (RET)

The Motorcycle Officer



It sounds like thunder far away, but the skies are blue and bright...
And soon they crest the hill nearby, and ride into our sight.
They shake the ground with powerful sound, and they make some hearts beat fast...
They look so proud and noble, like Knights come from the past.
Side by side, they always ride, and seem to move as one...
From early in the morning light, to the setting of the sun.
And children point and wave to them, from cars that pass them
and young ones ask their parents, why the police have mirrors for eyes.
They ride the roads, and fight for good, and defend small ones like you...
They ask to ride, and do with pride, and sometimes they are few.
Like officers of steel, on Silver Wings, they sparkle in the light...
then with a roar and rumble, they ride out of our sight.
Sometimes when one has fallen, never to ride again...
You can hear the others calling, like thunder on the wind.
Side by side, they slowly ride, and their thunder is a mournful sound...
And the mirrors hide their eyes from us, when teardrops fall to ground.
So if you see one riding, and you look into his face...
You see your reflection in their eyes; you know that you are safe.
For motor officers are a special breed, they love to ride the wind...
And when you hear the thunder boom, the fallen ones ride again

Ptl. R. Fnstra
Hawthorne Police Motorcycle Unit

The Heaven's have received another angel. Mary Ann may you rest in peace. Please watch over me as I continue your mission along with other fellow officers that have gone before me. Mary I did not know you but to me you are my sister in blue. You walk among the angels now. I have prayed for you and your family and may they find peace and comfort.

Detective Carolyn L. Speight
Greene County Sheriff Dept

My thoughts are with the family and friends of Officer Collura. What a tragedy for all of you. There is nothing I can say to make it easier for you. Just know people around the country are praying for you.
May Peace be with You All

Samantha
Youngstown, Ohio

My friend who works as a Medic for St Joe's Paterson was the ALS on the scene for this scenseless act of violence, ending of a life. He wishes there was more that could have been done.

My prayers are with the family of Officer Collura. My she rest in peace.

Ari
Former NYPD

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Mary Ann be the be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Officer Collura's family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out especially to Mary Ann's family. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Mary Ann is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Mary Ann was well respected and well loved. Thank you for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please take care of my fiance Dennis.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar
Dennis McElderry's fiancee - E.O.W. (01/03/03)