Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I went through the Academy in 2003, and as a part of our ongoing emphasis on "Officer Survival", we viewed the Cpl. Coates incident as shown on his cruiser cam. I just wanted to say that Cpl. Coates handled himself in an extraordinary manner throughout the duration of the incident, and did not give up the will to survive. His actions are those of a determined person and will be remembered. Let us reflect on all of our fallen officers each and every time we are on a traffic stop, or simply interviewing. We must try to stay one step ahead of the enemy, it is all we can do.

Officer Michael Hanshaw
Missouri Western Public Safety

December 28, 2003

MAY GOD BLESS THIS HERO. A HERO NEVER DIES. GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN. REST IN PEACE MY BROTHER.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

November 20, 2003

Trooper Coates, there are hundreds of police officers who, after seeing the video, will use their training while conducting stops. Your ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. You are truly a great police officer and human being. God bless you and your family.

Lieutenant Peter Nahass
Wellesley Police, Wellesley, Ma.

November 12, 2003

I was in basic recruit training when I first saw the video of the incident that took Trooper Coates life. There was not one person in my class that the video did not effect. His death was a tragedy, but he is saving lives 13 years after his death. Rest in peace Trooper Coates. You will never be forgotten.

Officer John A. Foster
Panama City Beach Police Department

November 2, 2003

I have seen the video many times and every time i shed a tear. I am so sorry for for your family but thank you for helping me become a better cop. watch over all of us who walk the line. until we meet brother god bless.

D/S Morgan
Paulding County SO

August 30, 2003

In 1992, I was beginning my law enforcement career as Mark Coates was tragically ending his. Thank you Mark, on behalf of all of us whose lives you've saved in the past 11 years. I carry everyday the lessons learned from that awful night so that it may not happen to me and more importantly I carry his heart and determination in case it does. When Mark died a part of us all died, but most of all a part of him lives on with us. God bless this hero and his family. I-95 will forever be yours.

Anonymous

August 24, 2003

When an officer dies in the line of duty we often times think the officer died in vain. This is not the case. I am a young man studying to become a police officer and I find Trooper Coates an inspiration. This officer stood up and protected our lives where others cowered in fear. I only hope that some day I could be as good a police officer as this man was.

To his family..... thank you for creating such a wonderful human being. Your son, brother, friend, or co-worker is an ispiration to a generation of a million aspiring police officers. God rest his soul.

Ryan

Cadet Sergeant Ryan Hitchings
Portsmouth Police Cadets

WHEN I WAS IN THE ACADEMY AT NOTHERN VIRGINA CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACADEMY, I TO HAD TO WATCH THE TROOPER COATES VIDEO. THE WHOLE 5 MINUTES I WATCHED WHAT HAPPENED. TROOPER COATES YOUR BRAVE ATTITUDE YOU GAVE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSION YOU ARE A LEADER TO US ALL. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU.

Deputy Shawn Gaston
Loudoun County Sheriffs Office

I just recently finished the Louisiana State P.O.S.T. Academy through the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office. The videotape of Trooper Coates was a part of the training. Alot of my other classmates before seeing the video had taken the thought of being a Peace Officer lightly until we actually saw the footage. About 90% of the class had tears in their eyes. I had never experienced anything in my life that hit my heart so hard. Trooper Coates is an inspiration to me, because of the neverending battle for his life , that he never gave up. He will always be in my memory and while on my tour of duty he shall be in my heart. He is truly my inspiration.

Sincerely,

Dep. Terence Bechet
St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office, Hahnville, La.

I think almost everybody in my company in my NYPD academy class had moist eyes after watching the Trooper Coates video. I felt physically sick after watching it. Rest in Peace Trooper Coates

P.O. Dore'
NYPD

I saw the Trooper Coates video several times and words cannot express the feeling that came over myself and the entire room as we watched the horrific video. You are a hero in so many ways. Look down on us and protect us always. You will be remembered always troop.

State Trooper
New Jersey State Police

I, too have seen the video of Mark's vehicle stop and it too
gave me the chills and teared me up. My thoughts are with your family Mark, and your story is one that we will never forget. You are a blessing to the shield and i'm proud you share my last name and we'll keep watch for you now.
Be in Peace my Brother.

D.W. Coates

PTL David W Coates
Ridley Park Police Dept

I cannot say anything that has not already been said by the countless numbers of people who have watched the video of Trooper Coates.
I watched it in our academy and not one of us felt the same afterwards. All of us were saddened to watch the untimely end of a man who performed his duties to the very end.
Trooper Coates personified the word "hero". He kept fighting until he could not anymore.
Rest in peace, Tooper Coates. May God keep you as one of His own.......

Anonymous

In my 7 years of law enforcement I have seen many Officers last moments of life sadly caught on tape. However I like many others was especialy touched my the video of Trooper Coates. I am not sure exactly why except for maybe the fact that through it all Trooper Coates never quit.
Lets face it Mark won the gunfight but ultimately lost the battle. You did just what you were trained and never backed down.
I have long admired the memory braclets I have seen worn by many Officers but for a long time I avoided getting one. Yesterday I finally recieved my memorial bracelt bearing the name Mark Hunter Coates SCHP EOW 11-20-92.
I never knew you but I think about you everyday. You and your memory protect me while on the street. Thank you

PO II
Greensboro Police

Officer Coates,
I met you five years ago, one early August morning during my first day at the police academy. I did not know of the name Mark Coates when I awoke at 05:30 that morning to begin class, but by lunch time that day, you changed my life, as well as 26 other lives that were present with me. The first assignment, on the very first day of the 72'nd Law Enforcement basic class was to watch a training video, and write down our thoughts on it. This particular training video consisted of the most horrific thing that I have ever witnessed in my life. And unfortunately, by the videos end, we had lost a brother. Officer Coates, I am leaving this reflection to let you know that your bravery and strong will has changed my life forever. I never knew you personally, but feel as if I have known you all my life in my heart. I think of you and your loved ones on a daily basis, and like so many others I have viewed on this particular website, I just wish that the Lord would have put me there with you in your time of need. God Bless you and your family Mark Coates. Even those of us who don't know you personally, still miss you my brother.

Patrolman
Wise Police Dept./ Virginia

To the Family of Tpr. Coates

I have seen this video countless times and I have had tears in my eyes each time. I have seen several other videos of officers being killed and for some reason Tpr. Coate's video hits me harder than any other. I'm sure that every officer in the nation has seen the video and has learned something from it. I hope that in some small way knowing this can help to ease your pain.

GOODSPEED TROOP!

Trooper
Kentucky State Police

Rest in Peace Brother...12 years following your death, you continue to save lives. You will never be forgotten

CPD

GOD SPEED WARRIOR SEMPER FI The words US MARINES Live by and set examples in what ever they do It is Latin and means Always Faithful To God,Country,Corps For the loved ones left behind I cry for your loss I am a battle hardened Marine that never felt so bad as I did when I watched Mark's video. My prayers and respect are with you and your son. GOD SPEED WARRIOR

STATE TROOPER K-9 D OSBORNE
TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL

To all of Trooper Coates family and friends,

Trooper Coates may be the most well-known State Trooper out there. It's unfortunate that it's becuase of his untimely death. As you can see, his in-car video has become a mainstay in police academies and training sessions across the counry. I hope you find ocmfort in the fact that his death will not be in vain, and I'm sure that he has saved other police officer's lives who have seen that video.

I tear up, even now, just thinking about it. And because of it, I take NOTHING for granted.

Thank you Trooper Coates for your sacrifice. Rest in peace, Brother.

Patrolman
Glassboro PD (NJ)

This man was, is, and always will be a true hero.
God Bless you and your family.

FIGHTING TO THE END, INSPIRATIONAL IN EVERY WAY!

NEVER HAVE I BEEN SO MOVED BY A TRAINING VIDEO. I WILL CARRY THIS WITH ME EVERY TIME I AM IN A SIMILAR SITUATION. ALWAYS FAITHFUL AND FIGHTING TO THE END, TYPICAL OF A MARINE, SEMPER FI! --A FELLOW MARINE.

JEFFREY S. CHANDLER

DEPUTY
FLOYD COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT. GA.

As others who have left a reflection, I too have seen the video of Trooper Coates' last traffic stop. While I was watching the video I was sick to my stomach and my heart felt like it was going to break. I was filled with anger, sadness, surprise, and sorrow. As Trooper Coates had done, I would have never thought Blackburn to be a threat until it was too late. Trooper Coates you are one of the bravest men I have ever seen in my life and your life and attitude has given me the courage to stand up to the fears out there on the road and also to look at everyone as if they can kill me.
My heart-felt prayers and thoughts are with the Coates family and I wish them the very best. Trooper Coates is an inspiration to all of us. Thank you Mark. Rest in Peace and God Bless

Eric Schmidt
Erin Police Department

Rest in peace brother.

Police Officer
Denver Police Department

Its been several yrs since I saw the video of Trp Coates Last traffic stop. I have never forgotten it and each time Im out on a traffic stop myself I take a second to reflect on the video before stepping out of my patrol car and approaching the vehicle I've just stop. It runs through my mind constently and It has reminded me to never take a stop for granted, and to watch every thing!

To the family of Trp Coates, my prayers go out to you. God bless and God speed. Trp. Coates may you rest in peace knowing the lives that you have saved.

Blessed are the Peacemakers.....

Deputy Loonsfoot
Marquette County Sheriff's Office, Michigan

Today is Monday Feburary 17, 2003. My self and the rest of the Basic Academy Class #60 at Alvin Community College watched the video of Trooper Coates horrible murder. By the end of the video we all had our hears in our throats. It is a tragedy that he died the way he did and all over a little bit of marijuana. He had no warning of the subjects violent action and I guess it will help all of us to see how quickly things can go bad. Our class wishes to send our condolences to his family. And to Trooper Coates Thank You For Your Sacrafice.

Robert Powers Class Capt.
Alvin Community College Academy