Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

R-21 I have seen your video more times than I care to remember! We didnt really know each other but we graduated in the same platoon in basic training in the U.S.M.C. and then went our separate ways..........both winding up in Law Enforcement. You have been an inspiration to me and to ALL L.E.O.s all across the nation. Your sacrifice is NEVER forgotten!! Many have looked at your video to second guess you and point out mistakes that you may have made. Mark, I can only say that I honor you and I respect you for your dedication and integrity!!! Rest in Peace R-21 you are not forgotten!!

Blake Berretta
Marine Corps buddy

August 2, 2006

To Trooper Coates and his family you gave the biggest sacrifice any soldier or peace officer could give to make his community and country a better and safer place. I recently saw the mobile video from your car in class and it made my heart stop and send tears into my eyes. It taught a huge lesson to us nothing is routine in the line of work we are entering. Thank You for your service and rest in peace sir.

Cadet J. Riley
University of Houston CJC B.P.O.C. 219

July 28, 2006

Trooper Coates:
Sir, I am a young officer and just graduated from the Academy only a week ago. I have seen your video three times and it never gets any easier. However, on my graduation day from the academy, I had the great honor and pleasure of meeting, shacking the hand of, and hugging your mother. She is truly a special lady and puts in a lot of hard work to help the families of other officers killed in the line of duty. I know looking down you are vary proud of her and your sacrifice will not be forgotten. May you rest in peace forever, my brother.

Officer Dominy
Hanahan Police Department

Officer Dominy
Hanahan Police Department

July 26, 2006

Mark,
I have watched your video several times and used it many other times as a training video for new officers. I think you are a true HERO and it is a shame that things turned out the way they did. REST IN PEACE BROTHER YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

POLICE OFFICER Kenneth Bish Jr
J. SARGEANT REYNOLDS POLICE

July 22, 2006

I WILL NEVER FORGRT WATCHING YOUR VIDEO AT THE ACADAMY.THE INCIDENT YOU WERE INVOLVED IN WILL FOREVER STAY WITH ME,THERFORE YOU WILL ALWAYS STAY WITH ME. MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY,YOUR FRIENDS,YOUR FELLOW STATE TROOPERS,AND MOST OF ALL YOU.THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

June 29, 2006

Trooper Coates,

Your sacrifice for the Great State of South Carolina will never be forgotten.

Communications Officer Eric Allen
Madison Police Dept. Madison,MS

June 25, 2006

Like many people who have left reflections here, I, too, saw the the dash video of your murder during the academy. With all they threw at us in twenty weeks, it was one of the moments I will just never forget. Rest in peace, Troop. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." Matthew 5:9

Trooper
Michigan State Police

June 11, 2006

Trooper Coates, family, and friends: Almost monthly my family and I drive past you're dedicated section of I-95. Each time I say a quick prayer for all those that wear the honored badge and protect us each day. As I am looking at becomming a police officer, you're dedication and service keeps me right on path. Because of people like you we are safer in our cities and on our nations highways. May the eternal Father bless you and all you're family each day and help protect all of us. You made the ultimate sacrifice for us Trooper Coates...you're memory will never leave me. Peace my friend, you died a hero!

Joseph
Citizen

June 3, 2006

Trooper Coates.. Rest in peace, i saw your video today in my academy traning class. Its sad to see how your life can be forever changed in a matter of minutes. Your never forgotten. Rest in Peace brother

Anon

May 24, 2006

Trooper Mark Coates... You did not die in vain! Your sacrifice has impacted so many, words cannot explain. Watching your incident has left an impression with so many; we can only become better people from it. I drive to Florida every year and every time I stop at the memorial sign named, Trooper Mark H. Coates Highway, and pay my respects. You are not forgotten and never will be. I noticed that Richard Blackburn will be eligible for parole in years to come, if so, I will organize a rally to be sure he never sees a day of freedom!!!! That assassin shall never walk these streets again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike Schwarz
Edison Police Department

Pba President< Edison Police, NJ
Edison POlice Department

May 15, 2006

Just today I saw the video of Trooper Mark Coates and I can only say how deeply saddened that I am. As a Police Recruit currently attending the Georgia Police Academy I have a lot of respect for law enforcement officers, but I now have even more respect. My thoughts, prayers, and best wishes are with his family and I also hope that nobody ever forgets what a good officer he was.

Recruit George Tyson
Savannah-Chatham Metro PD

April 28, 2006

I had the opportunity to view the dash cam tape about three years ago while I was a police explorer. I can honestly say that there is not a day that goes by that I don't think about the ultimate sacrifice that Trooper Coates made. I want to become a NC Highway Patrol trooper and this tape does not make me shy away; it makes me proud to know that I will be serving with brave and courageous men like Trooper Coates.
Rest in Peace, R-21

Adam Simerson
criminal justice student, DCCC

April 21, 2006

MARK
YOU KNOW I HAVE SEEN YOUR DASH CAM VIDEO MANY TIMES I HAVE SEEN IT FOR OUR JAIL CLASSES THAT WE TAKE AND FOR THE RESERVE CLASS THAT I AM CURRENTLY IN. EVERY TIME I SEE THE VIDEO IT IS LIKE THE FIRST TIME. YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION AND A HERO IN OUR HEARTS AND LIVES AND YOUR SPIRIT LIVES ON TO TEACH EVERYONE THAT NOTHING IS ROUTINE. THANK YOU FOR TEACHING ME
-D36

SGT BRENNAN ALEXANDER
MADISON COUNTY DENTENTION CENTER

April 21, 2006

TROOPER COATS,
TODAY I SAW YOUR DASH CAM VIDEO IN MY BLET CLASS AND I WILL NEVER FORGET IT. IT REALLY OPENED MY EYES TO HOW SERIOUS OUR JOB CAN BE. BEFORE TODAY I DID NOT KNOW WHO YOU WERE, BUT AFTER TODAY I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU, OR THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE YOU MADE THAT NOVEMBER NIGHT OF 92.YOU MAKE ME FEEL SO PROUD TO WANT TO BE A POLICE OFFICER AND HONOR YOU AND EVERY OFFICER WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE LINE OF DUTY. I WILL CARRY THIS THROUGHOUT MY ENTIRE CAREER AND WILL NEVER FORGET. GOD BLESS YOU FOREVER.

D. GALLARDO
BLET CADET IN NORTH CAROLNIA

April 20, 2006

What you are is not only a brother in blue or a true hero but a man whose bravery surpassed most. You represented the very best of a police officer. God Bless, R-21.

PC Walsh
CNY Police Academy

April 19, 2006

Earlier today, I viewed your dash camera video, Trooper Coates. I have been haunted by it all day and cannot seem to get it out of my head. While it was shown to us as a training video, the human side of the video is undeniable. I think everyone of my fellow recruits were deeply effected. May peace be with you and your family. You will not be forgotten...even by those of us who were not fortunate enough to know you. God bless.

Officer

April 19, 2006

To whom it may concern ,

Thanks to the family for letting this tape be public. I wish there was more ways to do so. This was a very brave man and im proud to be part of a profession that he represented. He made me want to be a officer more.

Cadet Adam Watson
Cedar Valley Law Enforcement

April 19, 2006

I too want to thank the family for all they have done and allowing this video to be shown. It has touched many, many hearts and I know it will save as many lives. It hurts me to know that some give all so that others may live. Thank you Trooper Mark Coats for your dedication and devotion. This video will be with me forever as a constant reminder that even something so simple and routine could turn so deadly so fast.

God Bless you Mark and your family, for giving so much that others may live. Richland R-21...you will NEVER be forgotten.

April 11, 2006

Trooper Coates thank you for your service and your bravery.I had the privelege to attend high school with your son and he too is a great man. I saw your car video in criminal justice class today and i just hope one day I can show bravery as you so proudly did.

anonymous

April 11, 2006

i sat in class last week at the s.c criminal justice academy and watched your dash cam. video, well i'm speechless. it is very tragic to lose one of your own, but without a dought this footage have saved and will continue save many lives not only in s.c. but world wide. you are a true HERO! GODSPEED R-21

deputy james renfroe
florence county sheriff's office

April 2, 2006

Trooper Coates,

An officer with the El Paso P.D. showed me your dashcam video when I related to him my desire to be an officer. He did it not to change my mind about being an officer, but to show me the dangers that exist within the field of law enforcement. I will never forget what I saw and still hold the images of what happened to you in my mind. In two weeks, I will enter the police academy in El Paso, Texas. What I saw in the video, will make me a better officer. Your legacy will live on as it has since your death for many academy classes to come. I intend to tell my future fellow classmates about you.

Police Trainee in 2 weeks
El Paso, TX Police Department

March 27, 2006

what more can i say, your dash cam video has been used in training in many police dept's. if i could have one wish, it would be that no highway or state trooper officer would ever ride alone, no more solo patrol! god bless you, mark, semper fi.

p.o. john engebretsen
nypd

March 20, 2006

As I sat in class today and watched the training video, I was filled with many different emotions. You are truly a Hero, in every sense of the meaning. I hope that my future in law enforcement will amount to something that would be considered worthy. You, and the many other fallen officers before you have paved the road for us to follow. I hope that we can perform up to those highest expectations.

Lynn Koester West Valley City, Utah
Grandson of Det. Percy Clark, killed in the line of duty 1973

Police academy cadet Lynn Koester
West Valley City Police Dept.

March 19, 2006

MY BROTHER, I WILL NEVER FORGET THE TRAGIC MOMENTS CAUGHT ON TAPE, THE NIGHT YOU LEFT US. AFTER 25 YEARS OF SERVICE, I CANT GET THAT OUT OF MY HEAD. AS I TRAVEL TO FLORIDA FROM VIRGINIA AND BACK, I SEE YOUR MEMORIAL AND I CRY EACH TIME. "SINCE YOUR EYES HAVE CLOSED, MINE HAVE CEASED TO WEEP".

MPO MIKE WILLIAMS
FAIRFAX COUNTY , VA POLICE DEPT.

March 16, 2006

Mark, Thank You for all you have done and the example that you always set. I know that your story will continue to save lives and you will never be forgotten. I will continue to pray for you and your family. God Bless R-21 always.

TROOPER J.D. MCCARLEY #2489
SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY PATROL

February 25, 2006