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Mark was an Inspiration in my life when he worked the I-26 IRMO area to the Newberry County Line. I was a Police Cadet for Irmo Police Department in the late 80s . I guess I was about 15 or 16 years old then and felt he was indestructible. I watched his every movement and tried to walk and talk like him back then. You see I had this “agreement” with him and some of the other Highway Patrolmen at the time and we would park my car on 26 and he, along with other close Highway Patrolmen would pick me up just so I could ride with them in that Highway Patrol car. I watched him as we cut the grass median to grab a speeder with a rooster tail of grass flying in the air! I would hold his hat and wait for him to say “Cover” as we pulled up behind the car and I was so proud to slide that thing out of the hat press and hand it to him I felt like I was the MAN. I watched him adjust that “Cover” and “Move with a Purpose” as he would say, walk up to that car, body bladed, uniform perfectly creased and “Squared Away” as he said, and I would just Dream of the day I could be like him. He would tell me “Keep ya eyes on him” as he stroked out that ticket and, Wow, what a mission I had, My eyes were locked on that speeder and didn’t come off until I heard the ticket book flap together and he approached the speeder again. Even then my eyes were locked on him. We had long talks of Military life, the Academy (that was nothing like the USMC) and life in general. This guy was the Best! I modeled myself after him starting with my Cadet Uniform. He told me how to drench the uniform in starch and iron with full steam when it was dry. No double creases or guess what, do it over. Shoes were to be polished by rubbing on Kiwi with your finger and heating it with the lighter then rubbed in tiny circles with a cotton t shirt and small dabs of water until it looks like glass. “Patten leather was for the Air Force” not us. This man taught me all the tricks. Then he moved on to the specialized team and I moved on with my life seeing him every so often. I became a Cop with Lexington City Police because I could not wait to get in uniform. Practiced all the things he taught me. As I progressed in my career his sayings would repeat in my head. “keep ya weapon clean kid, or it will fail I time of combat, it’s the only thing you have between you and the enemy.” I went against his advise to become a MARINE and joined the ARMY as an MP. Started a family and moved to the Charleston area. So never heard from Mark much after that. I will never forget the day I attended an Officer Survival class put on by the 100 Club. It was literally a class that effected the rest of my life. I sat in the class watching some videos with 50 0r 60 fellow officers. We watched several videos of officers being killed in the line of duty. Learned several tactics to keep us safe and be aware of. And took a small break. Upon our return the next video rolled. I saw “The Walk”, I saw “The Crisp Uniform” I saw, “The Cover”, I saw “The Man” the man who inspired my life like no other, Mark Coates. I said to my partner sitting next to me now is the time we are going to see the flipside of the Officers being down! I told my partner, as we watched the video Mark is probably going to “Open a Can” and I watched Mark as I did when I was a kid. Step By Step, Step By Step, clearly hearing his voice and thinking how I have seen him do this so many times. My anticipation peaked at the beginning of the search and my Breath was suddenly taken away. Mark didn’t appear to be winning this. He was on his back?, I said . Come on Mark, I had an Immediate adrenalin drop, Shoot Mark Shoot, when finally, thunder rang out Mark was getting him! Thank God I said, No Way this guy is taking him! Then I see the guy still moving? No way, final shot rings out, Mark Screams on the Radio and takes the last few steps I ever witnessed him take. I’m Stunned to this very day Mark. I value your teachings and pass them on to my troops now. Thanks for keeping me safe Brother. God Bless your family. Wish I was riding Shotgun with ya that day Brother! Remember what ya told me when I asked ya if you were afraid to die, while sitting at the weigh station on I-26, Marines die, that's what we're here for! But the Marine Corps lives forever. And that means I live forever, I understand that now. I also figured out where ya got that saying from.
Sgt Robert Boris
Berkeley County Sheriffs Office
Selective Enforcement Team
Sgt. Robert C Boris
Berkeley County Sheriffs Office Selective Enforcement Team : Friend
November 20, 2011
