Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Tpr Coates, you are a true hero. May god bless your family this holiday season. You made the utlimate sacrafice in order that the visitors and residents of South Carolina were a little safer during your tour of duty. You will not be forgotten. The countless number of officers you have saved is immeasurable. Rest in peace brother.

Tpr. K.W. Thompson
Ohio State Highway Patrol

December 26, 2006

I SAW THE VIDEO DURING OUR IN-SERVICE FIREARMS TRAINING CYCLE. YOU DID EVERYTHING RIGHT, IN MY EYES. I'M RETIRED NOW, BUT STILL THINK OF THAT SCENE FROM TIME TO TIME. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, TROOPER COATES.

RET. P. O. JOHN ENGEBRETSEN
NYPD

December 18, 2006

Trooper Coates, I just wanted to say that I am no longer in law enforcement but I watched your video during a training session when I was an officer. I find myself thinking about you from time to time and talking about it to others who have not seen it and it still saddens me. I commend you for your bravery and dedication.

Patrick ONeal
Former Montgomery Police Corporal

December 16, 2006

Trooper Coates,
So much has been said about your untimely death and so many have seen the video of that fateful night. So many brothers and sisters of law enforcement have fallen at the hands of evil. The same evil that we all strive to opress and overcome. For me, watching that video of you on that dreadful night sent a chill down my spine. A feeling that I will never forget. You remind us all of the uncertainty that we face when the uniform goes on and after we kiss our families good by right before the start of our shift. Your memory and the video of that night reminds us all of how short, fragile and precious life can be. To you and all of our brothers and sisters that have fallen before you...the rest of us will move on and we'll continue the fight. May your memory last forever in the hearts of your family, for they too have paid such a costly sacrafice!! Rest in peace, Brother...rest in peace!!!!

Shane

Officer Shane Thomas
Oxofrd Police Department (Maine)

December 13, 2006

The thing I remember most about my reserve and full-time academies is watching the video that your car's camera captured on the side of that highway that dreadful night. I constantly think about those images in my head and am always saddened when I do. To this day it's still hard to watch that video. God be with you and your family, Brother.

Deputy
King County Sheriff's Office

December 6, 2006

Trooper Coates, there is not a shift that I work where your not on my mind. Every traffic stop I conduct, your there. It feels like your the angel on my shoulder. My heart goes out to you & your family. They can keep their heads up high knowing what a Hero you are.

Deputy Anthony Holloway
Washington Parish Sheriff's Office (Louisiana)

November 26, 2006

11-20-06 On this day we remember
Mark rest in peace sir, you be gone but know you are not forgotten, job well done.

Deputy
Chesterfield Sheriff's Office

November 20, 2006

Trooper Coates, as I had mentioned in my previous reflection to you months ago, I remember watching the video in my Academy class many years ago. You are a true hero in death as you were in life, for your heroism and sacrifice has gone on to save many lives in our law enforcement family. On this day, 14 years later, I say thank you along with the rest of the law enforcement community across the Country.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

November 20, 2006

Trooper Coates,

On this the anniversary of your leaving us in the physical sense we pay tribute to your spirit. Tonight the Evening Watch of the Henry County Georgia Police Department’s North Precinct will hit the street in your honor. Please watch over us as we continue your fine work.

For the entire shift,
Sergeant V.T. Rosen

On a personal note: your death has done more to bring awareness to new Officers than any other incident I am aware of, this means that on a daily basis, you are thought of. As long as you are in our memories, you will never be gone from us. Thank you for your sacrifice.

Sergeant V.T. Rosen
Henry County Police Department

November 20, 2006

Trooper Coates, it has been 14 years since your last watch and and 9 years since I first watched the video of your death in the police academy. I had the opportunity to pass by your memorial sign for the first time this summer, and I remembered the video.You are a true hero and the sacrifice you made will never be forgotten. Continue your beat on heaven's streets. Thank you for your service, and continue to watch over the rest of us continuing the watch.

SPO
Salem, Va

November 20, 2006

On this the anniversary of your death, please know that you are not forgotten. In your death, you have saved many, many the same fate. I admire you for your courage and your fight, and hope that I too may have that same courage in my watch as an officer. God bless you and your family my brother! May you rest in peace!

BBoeshaar

November 20, 2006

When I saw the video of Trooper Coates in the Police Academy, almost about a year now, it was very disturbing. I felt angry and sad and wished I was there at that point in time to help a fellow officer. It truly left an impact on me and will never forget what had happened to Trooper Coates. God bless his family and friends. My condolences go out to them all. Rest in peace my fellow officer, you will never be forgotten.

Po Michael Vaccaro
New Rochelle Police Department

November 19, 2006

Trooper Coates; When I opened the ODMP page today, it was your photograph that was displayed. I was overcome with sadness as it brought me back to the first time that I saw your dash camera video in the police academy. That was almost eight years ago, but it still plays in my mind. I want to say thank you for your service to your state and to your country. Through your sacrafice, you have given others the tools to survive. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family, friends and co-workers.
Rest in Peace. You will NEVER be forgotten.

Officer J. Young
New Haven P.D. Connecticut

November 2, 2006

I remember as a recruit in the academy watching the video of the traffic stop during training. Watching the video was a reality check for me and my classmates. It was the first time we realized we may leave out loved ones for our tour of duty, and never go off the air to see them at the end of the tour. You have been an insperation for me, and I wish your family the best.

Rest in peace brother

Deputy Sheriff J.B. Shrader
Audrain County Sheriff's Department

October 25, 2006

Trooper Coates I live in South Carolina now and when I would go home to Florida I would see your memorial sign as I was traveling down I-95. That sign and your bravery has inspired me to take on the challenge of becoming a South Carolina State Trooper. Thank you.

October 18, 2006

I WATCHED THE VIDEO OF YOUR LAST TRAFFIC STOP SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND JUST WANTED TO SAY HOW SORRY I AM TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. THE VIDEO LEFT A LASTING IMPACT ON ME AND I WILL NEVER FORGET THE ULTIMATE PRICE YOU PAID. REST IN PEACE.

TROOPER J.W. HOOVER
FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL

October 16, 2006

Mark, We will never know how many officer you were able to help go home by that video... Thank you , Never Forgotten..

October 10, 2006

Mark,
You were one of the Troopers assigned to our patrol class back in 1990. I remember you taking the time to show me how to properly rig my duty belt and make sure my gig line was straight. But the most important thing you taught me was to respect others. You were a true leader and I admired the way people respected you, not because of the badge but the person you were. I'm no longer with the SCHP but I'm still in law enforcement and everyday I put my uniform on I still check my gig line.God Bless

Deputy RK Duckett
Cherokee County SO

October 9, 2006

Trooper Coates was a hero for the state of South Carolina. I decided that I wanted to be a Trooper because of him and other men and women in the Patrol. I've seen his video many times, and it saddens me everytime to see it. I believe in my heart that he is in heaven with Christ, and I believe that God is rewarding him fully for his ultimate sacrifice. May his family rest in peace and know that this man is a hero.

Ricky
SCHP Basic Training

September 30, 2006

Trooper Coates may you rest in peace brother. You are an inspiration to me and you are what it means to be a police officer. My condolensces go out to you and your family. I am looking forward to working with officers such as yourself.

Nils P. Hansen
Central Connecticut State University Student

September 15, 2006

I have seen the video of Trooper COATES several times and saddens me every time. I feel he was a true hero in today's world. I am sorry for your loss and will never forget him. Even though I never had the priveledge to meet him , I am sure he was amazing in so many ways.

Trooper RICH HOUK
PA State Police

September 14, 2006

To the Coates family;
I just saw the video a few days ago during training and wanted to say it was the most powerful training I have ever experienced. i only work in dispatch right now but i now pay more attention to my officers on the road. I pray for your family and hold the memory in my thoughts at all times.
god bless,
MASA Livingston

MASA LIVINGSTON
NAS JAX SECURITY

September 3, 2006

Tpr Coates, I like so many other law enforcement oficers across the Country, remember watching that video in the academy of that tragic night you were taken from us. I have never forgotten that video and you will always be remembered as a true hero. I know you are up above looking out over your brother and sister officers down here and I thank you for your service and dedication.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

August 25, 2006

For Trooper Coates...I just want to simply say, "Thank you!" You make me proud to be in Law Enforcement and I know that you are looking down on all of your Law Enforcement brothers and sisters; giving us all the strength to go out and serve the citizens of this great country. Keep everyone in line up in heaven and know that you have a lot of fans here on earth.

Ryan Adrian, Patrol Deputy
Routt County Sheriff's Office

August 12, 2006

Trooper Coates, I am no different than thousands of other police officers who have been affected by the video of your shooting. I saw it for the first time in 1996 when I started my police career. It haunted me for several weeks after and I've never forgotten it. I recently traveled to South Carolina with my wife and had the honor of having my picture taken next to the sign designating Trooper First Class Mark Coates Highway. I stood with heavy heart as my wife took my picture. I felt pride, anger, grief, dispair and a whole list of emotions in the few moments that I stood there. The experience gave me a whole new outlook on life. It was a very deep moment for me that I can't explain. I never even knew you but you've made a difference in my life. Life is precious and it saddens me that yours was taken so soon. You will never be forgotten. Rest easy, brother, we'll watch your six.

Officer Michael Stone
Cobb County Police Dept.

Officer Michael Stone
Cobb County Police Dept

August 3, 2006