Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I visited the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Memorial at the Capitol complex in Columbia earlier this week to look for your name on the wall. I did the same thing two years ago on my very first trip to Columbia. I became a Missouri trooper just a little over a month after you were murdered and your incident had a profound impact on me. I never knew you and have never met those who loved you, but I want to thank you for your service and sacrifice. As I approach 30 years of being a trooper, I want your loved ones to know that you are not forgotten. May God bless those who remain behind and miss you every day.

Major D.A. Flannigan
Missouri State Highway Patrol

January 28, 2022

Rest in peace hero.

J.R.

November 20, 2021

Always remembered brother

Judge /Magistrate Sheridan (Danny) Lynn
Former S.C. Highway Patrol

November 20, 2021

Sir, I learned of your death when I was a teen, before I became a police officer. You will never be forgotten. I think of you often. Thank you for serving our country and as a police officer. Rest in peace. Your sacrifice was not in vain.

Police Officer Andrew Schuck
Everett PD (Everett, Washington)

July 6, 2021

Thinking of you today buddy. Rest in peace. Semper Fi

Trooper GD Vickery
SCHP

June 6, 2021

Rest in peace hero.

J.R.

November 20, 2020

Always remembered brother!!

Judge / Magistrate Sheridan Lynn
SC Highway Patrol (retired)

November 20, 2020

To the Coates family. Mark’s story is one that affected me deeply throughout my 30 year law
enforcement career. I finally had the opportunity to stop and pay my respects in person on I-95.
My father was a cop for 29 years, I was for 30 years, and I now have two nephews in LE.
Your family is forever in my thoughts and prayers.
There is no more nobler profession !

May God continue to Bless your family.

Det. Sgt. John “Buck” Savage
Syracuse NY PD

February 29, 2020

Dear Coates Family,
You don’t know me but I was one of Mark’s many many brothers. I of course offer my condolences and I also offer my prayers for your family. Being a peace officer is not just a job it’s a calling. I’m sure Mark knew that even though we never met. And I pray that the Lord has blessed him as he does all peacemakers. I am so sorry for your loss. Please take some peace in knowing that he is in the hearts of many of us who never met him. May he rest peacefully with the Lord and may your family also be looked after by the Lord. Again I am so so sorry for your loss.
Michael Newman, (Detective, Retired) Los Angeles County sheriffs department.

Michael Newman
Los Angeles County Sheriffs’s Department

November 21, 2019

Mark was a good guy. My Dad was murdered when someone broke into our house. I was radio tech for SCHP and one of my troopers, George Radford was murdered during a traffic stop. I took it very personal because the first time I met George he expressed how sorry he was about my dad . Murder is bad no matter who it is, but when it is a law enforcement officer, they died doing their job. Their job is making our world a safe and better place to live. Everyone owes them a big "thank you" for the job they do. My job was to make sure their radio worked so if they needed help, they could call for help. I made a few troopers mad because they had said they had an intermittent problem and until I was sure I had it fixed, I didn't let them use that radio.

Giles Page former SCHP radio tech
SCHP radio tech

November 21, 2019

It is NOT how you died that made you a HERO, but how you LIVED....

MSP Tpr. Dj Oswald-DeBottis (Ret.)
LEO Sister

November 21, 2019

I remember this all to well. I was starting my career in law enforcement in MN and the Trooper Coates squad video was shown as a training video of what can happen on a traffic stop gone bad. Will never forget the first time I saw it and the sound of terror in his voice calling for back up. Ultimate sacrifice...Thankful for his service in the military and in LE.
RIP Trooper Coates!

Patrolman Rick HiRung
Little Falls Police Dept.

November 20, 2019

I graduated the patrol academy in August 1991. I will never forget the day this hero gave his life to protect the citizens of South Carolina. I was at the funeral and also remember the video that haunts me until this day. As tragic as this was, knowing what Mark went thru saved me many times in my career. Each stop I made since this occurred I would tell myself that this could be the person that tries to harm me. I never took my safety for granted. Thank you for your sacrifice.

Corporal C.M. Burgess
SCHP Retired

November 20, 2019

Never forgotten brother.

Judge / Magistrate Sheridan Lynn (former
Aiken County, S.C.

November 20, 2019

Until minutes ago I did not know of your passing Trooper Coates nor ODMP.org; I am reading Arresting Communication by Lt. Jim Glennon who asked that I leave a tribute for you and your family. You are in my prayers and admiration. We lost a wonderful Devil Dog in you.

B.D. Wilkins (Not an LEO)
Volunteer in public safety as much and often as I can

November 6, 2019

Rest In Peace sir you are not forgotten. Something made me think of you this evening and while I never knew you I think we all know what I mean when I say I knew you. I make it a point to get out with troopers on every stop I come across. I stay even when told they are fine. The world lost a good man on that terrible day. We have the watch from here.

Anonymous

October 6, 2019

Seeing this video for the first time in 1997, while attending the Law Enforcement Academy, changed my life forever. Trooper Coates, your passing was not in vain. Your incident has saved countless lives and I pray that your family are held close to God.

Semper Fi, Devil Dog!

Until Valhalla

Sgt.Nelson
Sharpsburgh Sheriffs Dept Prior 2/9 GOLF Company Hell In A Helmet USMC

October 2, 2019

Talking with some of my officers today about your story. Just know, we all think about you and still pray for your wife, daughters, and sons. Rest easy Devil Dog.

Sgt. Geoff Odom
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department

August 10, 2019

Came across your story in LT Glennon's book Arresting Communication. Paying my respects. Rest easy Troop.

TPR GODBOUT
CT STATE POLICE

May 7, 2019

service above self !! GOD pls be with his family / Public Safety family always. Wrap your arms around them around and protect them always. This trooper placed his life on the life to protect us, to protect you !! RIP sir !!

Duane Brown, Capt.
Horry County, South Carolina

November 23, 2018

The shooting served as a training video at the SCCJA and was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to watch . I wanted to crawl into the screen to help him ! RIP Trooper !

Lt . Stephen E. Buffkin
Darlington PD

November 20, 2018

Mark was a great friend, role model and model Trooper. I miss you brother!

Rudy Dinkins, Firefighter
North Augusta Department of Public Safety

November 20, 2018

Never forgotten brother!! Much prayer to your family and SCHP

Judge /retired SC Trooper Danny Lynn
Aiken County, SC

November 20, 2018

Rest easy Brother, we have your watch from here.

K9 Dep Robert Lee
Williamsburg County Sheriffs Office

November 20, 2018

Never new you. I was just in High School at the time. I became an Officer in Maryland for a short time and I think about you to this day.

Thoughts and prayers to all your family.

Officer
Frederick Police Department

August 27, 2018