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Incident
Officer Mary Ann Collura was shot and killed following a vehicle pursuit that ended in Fair Lawn at 10 pm.
An officer from the Clifton Police Department had spotted a vehicle speeding through Clifton, New Jersey, and attempted to stop the vehicle. The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed while the passengers threw items out of the vehicle's windows. The officer chased the vehicle through several towns and into Fair Lawn, where the car crashed on the front lawn of a church.
Officer Collura arrived on the scene minutes later to assist the officers involved in the chase. One of the occupants of the vehicle got out of the car and began waving his hands as if to surrender, but then the driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot. The officer from the Clifton Police Department was able to tackle the suspect in the rear lot of the church. As he was reaching for his mace, the suspect drew a firearm from his pocket and opened fire, striking Officer Collura four times and killing her. The Clifton Officer drew his firearm, but before he could fire, the suspect shot him too, striking him twice, once in the leg and once in the arm. The suspect then stole Officer Collura's patrol car and fled. The Clifton Officer was able to empty his weapon at the fleeing car, but the suspect was not hit.
Two suspects were apprehended the next day and charged with murder. The suspect who shot the two officers fled to Florida, where he was shot and killed by deputies in Sumter County on April 20. In that incident, the suspect opened fire on a Hernando County deputy as the deputy walked past his car. Deputies chased him into Sumter County during a running gun battle until he crashed his vehicle. He attempted to steal another car before trying to commit suicide by shooting himself in the jaw. He was then shot and killed by deputies when he pointed his weapon at them.
Officer Collura had served with the Fair Lawn Police Department as a full-time officer for 18 years and had been a special officer for an additional two years. She was the agency's first female officer.
Survivors
She is survived by her mother, brother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Police Officer Collura gave the Fair Lawn Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Fair Lawn community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Collura.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mary Ann is the only officer of Fair Lawn Police Department remembered here.
Mary Ann is one of 264 officers killed feloniously in NJ, 40.8% of the 647 remembered there.
Mary Ann is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Mary Ann is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2003, 2 officers in NJ were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 101 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 39.
In 2003, 64 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2003, 69 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 109th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Mary Ann was 43. Of the 247 killed feloniously in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 38. Mary Ann had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Mary Ann was 43. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Mary Ann had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mary Ann was 43. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Mary Ann had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 4.5% of these deaths in NJ; September holds the most, 23.9%. Thursdays: 13.3%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Fair Lawn Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 40.8% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 2.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Fair Lawn Police Department are honored on badge.nw.