Riding for Those Who Died
Among the Clifton area officers killed in the line of duty and for whom a team of bicyclist will ride to Washington D.C. in their memories: Port Authority Officer John Skala died on Sept. 11, 2001; Fair Lawn Officer Mary Ann Collura died April 17, 2003; Clifton Police Officer John Samra died on Nov. 21, 2003; Paterson Officer Tyron Franklin died Jan. 7, 2007.
Farrell holstered his gun and took off after him. Collura steered her cruiser toward the church and pinned the fleeing suspect against the wall. Farrell tackled him in the rear lot of the church. “Steve was reaching for his mace to subdue the guy when (Omar) Marti drew a gun from his pocket and shot Mary Ann twice, point blank,” Colondres continued. “Steve took out his gun but before he could fire, Marti shot Steve.” The drug dealer Marti—who would eventually shoot and kill himself in Florida rather than face charges—fled by stealing Collura’s patrol car, running her body over as he sped away. Farrell was able to empty his weapon at the car, but the suspect was not hit. To add to the tragedy, on November 21, 2003, Clifton Police Officer John Samra would die in the line of duty while attempting to apprehend a suspect who fled a traffic stop. Above are the photos of Samra and Collura, as well as two other local officers killed in the line of duty. They are Clifton resident and Port Authority Officer John ‘Yash’ Scala—who perished rushing in to save lives in the Trade Towers on 9/11— and Paterson Officer Tyron Franklin, shot and killed after being identified as a police officer during a robbery attempt at a fast food restaurant early last year. Those of us pictured above participating in the Police Unity Tour are doing so to honor the memory of ‘Yash’, Mary Ann, John and Tyron as well as the thousands of other men and women—such as Passaic Police Officer Robert Strone who was killed 50 years ago—who have died in service to our communities. The secondary purpose of our tour is to raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum. Your support of this endeavor would be appreciated.
Help us raise $2,000 more... Clifton’s ‘08 Team to the Police Unity Tour includes Clifton Officers Kevin Collucci, Randy Colondres, Brian Fopma, John Kavakich, Derek Fogg & Tom Hawrylko. The team must raise $10,200. Thus far we’ve raised $8,260, thanks to... Environmental Devices, Inc., The Famous MidTown Grill, Clifton Moose Lodge 657, Suburban Auto, Albion Place Memorial VFW Post 7165, Grasso, Anthony Den Uyl esq., Post 438 American Legion, International Processing Corp., Foodies Cafe, Cafe D’ Amici, Clifton P.B.A. Local #36, The Altman Group Inc., Gemini Restoration, Matthew J. Trella. esq., Neil’s Pizza, Computerized Multi Systems, Denman & Davis, Dikeman Laminating Corp., Shook Funeral Home, Gam’s Auto Service, Linens & Things, British Motor Cars. Pat & Greg Collucci, Joann & Tim Strub, Centineo Family, Steven Fortunato, Robert & Ilona Collucci, Jim Bennett, J. Krolikowsky, Beth McGovern, Michael & Mary Samra, Joseph Conte, Wendy Relyea, Maryann Ricca, Bart Giaconia, Vito & Mary Ellen Collucci, Michele Em, Elaine Kuzmich, Kevin & Allison Collucci, Amy & Kevin Gamarello, The Sutter Family, Hawrylko Family South, Chidiac Family. Kathy & Robert Kehoe, Brian Klein, James Flanagan, Armando Medina, Lydia Gonzalez, Larry & Jennifer Torres, Maria Magda O'Keefe, Luisa Torres, Stan & Helena Lenc, Michael & JoAnn Leonard, Theresa Sinacori, Ken Collucci. The Police Unity Tour is a non-profit organization under section 501© (3) of the Internal Revenue code; donations are fully tax deductible. To contribute, make checks to Police Unity Tour and mail it c/o Clifton Merchant Magazine, 1288 Main Avenue, Clifton, NJ 07011 or call 973-253-4400. May 2008 • Clifton Merchant
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