Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Deputy Coates as well as the brotherhood at Orange County Sheriff's Office. May you rest in God's eternal peace our brother!

Detective Mark Techmanski
City of Syracuse (NY) Police Department

December 23, 2010

Rest in peace brother. You gave the ultimate sacrifice to keep the citizens of Orange County safe. God bless you and your family.

Ret. Deputy Sheriff P. Englishby # 4826
Palm Beach Co. Sheriffs Office Fla

December 22, 2010

God bless you and give you strength. As parents and siblings of a recent fallen officer, we know what you are going through. Godspeed Officer Coates

parents of fallen trooper DeLaittre-MT

December 21, 2010

Rest in peace and prayers are with your love ones.

Deputy Latour ( retired)
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office

December 21, 2010

Rest in peace, brother.

Officer J. Steeber
Fox Valley Metro Police, Little Chute, WI

December 20, 2010

The pain felt by the loss of such a fine man is immeasurable. Brandon was many things to many people; a son, a husband, a friend. He served as a protector of both his nation’s freedom and his community’s safety. Brandon’s moral character was unflappable; he was strong but kind, fair yet firm and I am honored to have known him.

Lt. William Van de Water
Orange County Sheriff's Office (Fl) Tactical Anti-Crime Unit

December 20, 2010

I have seen many tragedies in my 36 year law enforcement career.Deputy John Hollomon, Deputy Mike Callin and other fine officers who paid the supreme sacrifice keeping the streets safe. I am deeply touched by each loss and will never forget their names or faces. Brandon Coates is now one of those names and faces I will not forget. My wife, a retired OCSO Commander, my brother, a retired OPD Captain and my son serving now as an OCSO deputy, wish you to know we will never forget you or your wife who is in our prayers. God bless you brother, rest in peace.

Cmdr. Ken Gregory (Ret)
OCSO

December 19, 2010

Rest in peace, Brother.

Police Officer
Chicago Police Dept.

December 19, 2010

Deputy Coates fought the good fight. He is a true hero in every respect. Rest now in peace my fallen brother, you deserve it. We will take it from here!

Deputy Sherriff (K9) Russ Hilson
Polk County Sheriff's Office

December 19, 2010

What we do in life, echoes in eternity.
Well done DFC Brandon Coates - in this life. Now RIP brother - in eternal life with God.
We will see you again, but not yet ... not yet.

Cpl. John Park
Orange County Sheriff's Office

December 19, 2010

RIP Brandon you will be missed

Deputy Brian Martin
OCSO

December 18, 2010

To the friends and family members of Deputy Brandon Lee Coates,

It saddens us to hear of the loss of such a great policeman. As we begin our first week "on the job" it is a reminder of why we chose to serve and protect. We realize we have big shoes to fill and we can only hope to be as good of a policeman as he was. May he rest in peace.

Sincerely,
Session 49
Zone Five Police Academy, NY

Session 49
Zone Five Police ACademy

December 18, 2010

"God said step forward now, young policeman, You've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets, You've done your time in hell."

Give my uncle Bobbie Jo, also killed in the line of duty, a hug for me.

Officer Sullivan
APOPKA PD

December 17, 2010

His Judgment Day:
The officer stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shinning, Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, Officer, How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek To my church have you been true?"
The officer squared his shoulder and said, "No, Lord, I guess I aint, Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays, And at times my talk was rough, And sometimes I've been violent Because the streets are tough.
But I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep.. Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help Though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept an unmanly tear.
I know I don't deserve a place among the people here. They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, But if you don't...I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne, where the saints often trod. As the officer waited quietly for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, Officer. You've borne your burdens well. Come walk a beat on heaven's streets, You've done your time in hell"

Author unknown

May God be with everyone

Motor officer Terry Pauley
Plano PD Plano, Tx

December 17, 2010

God Bless You In His Eternal Rest

Sgt. Jeff Johnson
Jefferson County Kentucky

December 17, 2010

Rest in peace brother.

Cpl. Clagett #022
Westminster Police Department MD

December 17, 2010

Hearing the news last week of your passing gave chills down my spine and caused me to reflect on the monumental sacrifice that you and your agency have made in the pursuit of keeping the streets of Florida safe and secure for those of us who live here. Please know that the sacrifice your family has made is not in vain and will never be forgotten. You truly are a hero and your valor and true courage will not be forgotten. Rest in peace brother - you, your family and your agency will always be in my prayers.

Special Agent Bradley Frank
Florida Division of Alcoholic Beveages and Tobacco

December 17, 2010

Rest in peace Thank you for your service to this country

Officer Patrick Kenny
West Melbourne Police Department

December 17, 2010

We shall carry your sacrifice within us each and every day. We are all honored to have served this great profession along side you. Rest in Peace.

Anonymous

December 16, 2010

My deepest sympathy to all your friends and family. We are all here doing the job that we love most and it's unfortunate that this tragedy has to happen to one of our own brothers. Brandon will forever watch over all his loved ones and fellow brothers and sisters in law enforcement for he is now a guardian in heaven watching over us. A comment once said comes to mind in regards to a close friend of mine that was also killed in the LOD in Ft. Lauderdale a few years ago, "GOD NEEDED HELP IN HEAVEN SO ANOTHER ANGEL WAS CALLED UPON". Brandon Lee Coates may you Rest In Peace...

Sergeant Tony Reyes
NYPD (BROTHER IN BLUE)

December 16, 2010

Brandon - thank you for your service and for being a loving husband to Virginia. You will not be forgotten.

Anonymous

December 16, 2010

Brandon,

You always had a smile on your face and your positive attitude will always be remembered. I am sad that such a young, promising soul was taken from us so soon. Your memory and the positive impact you made on our world will never be forgotten. My sympathy goes out to your wife, family, friends and anyone who had the privilege to meet you. Rest in Peace brother.

Deputy Sheriff Patrick Schaefer
OCSO

December 16, 2010

IT's an honor just to know who you are. Thank you and your fellow deputies for your help and response to our calls here. You were alwalys professional, intellegent, and tough. Yet I could tell you had a sense of humor. My sincerest prayers are with you deputy Virginia Coates. Your husband was a very good man. Thank You.

SECURITY - RON
UNIVERSAL SUITES - ORLANDO

December 16, 2010

Thank you for your service. My heart goes out to your family, at home and at work.

Special Agent
FBI

December 15, 2010

Brandon...I am only now able to visit this memorial, having just buried you yesterday. I remember you would walk to my cubicle and say "hey Corporal, what are we doing today?" when most of the other members of our six-man squad would say "hey where are we eating tonight?" I remember you would ride with me sometimes and tell me that there was no time for a drink break as you wanted to get as many arrests as you could for the shift. I remember you being so thorough on your traffic stops and investigations as you were always looking for criminal activity.
The night you were taken from us, another member of our squad had just checked out a new undercover vehicle. He tried to get you to ride with him in the vehicle, but you declined saying that you did not want to "burn" it since this was the first night we were using that vehicle. You told him that you would stay in your own vehicle and make some arrests that night. I backed you on a traffic stop at 43rd Street and Orange Blossom Trail about 30 minutes before you were murdered. Once again, you were very thorough on this stop, asking the driver if he had any contraband or large sums of money in the vehicle, trying to take felons off the street.
I also remember how much you loved Virginia, ending every phone call with her saying "I worship the ground you walk on." We would chide you but it had no effect on you. I wish I had your work ethic and your passion for life. I also wish that I had been closer to your traffic stop and that I could have been there to help you. Maybe you would be alive today. Maybe we would have had two dead deputies instead of one. No one knows. I do know that I love you and that I will never let your memory fade. Please forgive me for not getting to you sooner.
I have already looked to you for strength and you have provided it. That's you. Always willing to help. I, and the other members of Tac squad 4, will be needing more of your help in the coming weeks, months and years. Thank you for being a part of our sqaud. Thank you for making me a better person and a better deputy.
It's almost 8:30 pm, exactly one week to the day and hour of your murder. I must end this reflection. I'm going now to watch my 2 1/2 year-old son sleep in his room. Because of you I'm able to do that.

Corporal Sean DeGrilla
Orange County Sheriff's Office Tac Squad 4

December 15, 2010