Trooper Mark Hunter Coates

Trooper Mark Hunter Coates

South Carolina Highway Patrol, South Carolina

End of Watch Friday, November 20, 1992

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Mark Hunter Coates

Corporal Mark Coates was shot and killed after stopping a car for weaving in traffic on I-95 near the Georgia border.

During the traffic stop, the subject began to struggle with Corporal Coates, and they both fell to the ground. The man fired a .22 caliber handgun into Corporal Coates' chest, but the round was stopped by his vest.

Corporal Coates was able to force the man off of him and return fire, striking him five times in the chest with his .357 caliber revolver. As he retreated for cover and to radio for backup, the man fired another shot. The round struck Trooper Coates in the left armpit and traveled into his heart.

The man survived the incident and was sentenced to life in prison. He was denied parole in 2022 and will be eligible for parole in 2024.

Corporal Coates was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and had served with the South Carolina Highway Patrol for five years. He was survived by his wife, two sons, two stepdaughters, parents, sister, and brother.

The Mark H. Coates Highway is a one-mile portion of Interstate 95 located in Jasper County near Hardeeville and extends one-half mile on both sides of mile marker 7.

Bio

  • Age 31
  • Tour 5 years
  • Badge 709
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Handgun; .22 caliber
  • Offender Sentenced to life

traffic stop

Most Recent Reflection

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Dear Trooper Coates, your friends and family.

I read about your heroism and your dedication to serving the community from Jim Glennon.

I want to convey my gratitude to you for your service and my sympathy to your family and friends for their loss.

You deserve the highest honor we can bestow upon your memory, and I hope my words offer some small comfort to you and them.

Sincerely,

Robert Hamilton

Citizen
Citizen

July 27, 2023

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