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Join 10th Annual 5K For Slain Clifton Officer John Samra Scholarship Fund

CLIFTON, N.J. -- It's nearly 14 years since Clifton Police Officer John Samra was struck and killed by a van driven by a fleeing parolee, but time hasn't diminished the memory for organizers of a 10th annual fundraiser in his name.

Clifton Police Officer John Samra

Clifton Police Officer John Samra

Photo Credit: Cliffview Pilot File Photo
Sponsors are still needed. Contact Officer Robert Domski, the race coordinator, at rdomski@cliftonpolice.org.

Sponsors are still needed. Contact Officer Robert Domski, the race coordinator, at rdomski@cliftonpolice.org.

Photo Credit: Cliffview Pilot

The 10th Annual John Samra Scholarship Memorial 5K Run/Walk begins at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 22 at City Hall on Clifton Avenue.

Clifton PBA Local #36 is sponsoring the event with support from the Clifton Roadrunners.

There are various levels of participation, from newcomers and youth to competitive runners and seniors.

FEE: $20 ($25 day of the event)

REGISTER: eliteracingsystems.com 

Register by Oct. 18 and receive a free t-shirt.Sponsors are still needed. Contact Officer Robert Domski, the race coordinator, at rdomski@cliftonpolice.org.

Samra was on patrol in a residential neighborhood when he stopped the Plymouth Voyager around 10 o’clock the morning of Nov. 20, 2003. The driver took off, with Samra chasing him.

The officer positioned his cycle at the corner of Maple Place and Washington Avenue, but he was broadsided by the van.

The driver got out tried to run, but two civilians grabbed him.

Samra, 41, died of his injuries at what was then St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he was the only Clifton police officer ever killed in the line of duty.

Luis Hernandez, who was driving while on the revoked list, was later sentenced to life plus 11 years.

Hernandez, 53, is eligible for parole in 16 years, New Jersey Department of Corrections records show. He would be only 69.

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