Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I first met Deputy Sheriff Brandon Coates in December of 2007. I was in the hiring process with the Orange County Sheriff's Office and a ride along was set up for me by my recruiter. Brandon was the deputy I was assigned to ride with and job shadow. That night Brandon demonstrated exemplary compassion for the community and a command presence which directly reflected his service to our nation as a United States Marine. We spoke at length during the ride along and I will never forget how impressed I was at nights end by Brandon’s street smarts, knowledge of criminal law and true professionalism as a law enforcement officer. Deputy Sheriff Brandon Coates embodied everything an American hero is and should be.

Deputy Sheriff Marc Petruccelli
Orange County Sheriff's Office

December 9, 2010

Thank you for your service and giving the ultimate sacrifice in an effort to keep the community safe. My thought and prayers will be with you and your family. Rest in Peace brother.

CSO II Robert Everett
Orlando Police Dept

December 9, 2010

Thank you D/S Coates for your service and dedication to our community. May the love and peace of God comfort your family and friends. You will be missed!

Cpl. Robert Parker
Lake County Sheriff's Office, FL

December 9, 2010

RIP brother, we all wear the same uniform. This is a sad day for Law Enforcement in Central Florida. My family have strength, and know your looking down upon them.

Tpr. Kralich
Florida Highway Patrol

December 9, 2010

Rest in peace my Brother! It was a pleasure to know you. Watch over us as we continue to do our jobs

DFC Scott Danjou
OCSO

December 9, 2010

REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF E.J. MORRIS
RANDOLPH MO P.D.

December 9, 2010

No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.

Officer Tom Martin
Jacksonville Sheriffs Office

December 9, 2010

R.I.P. brother, please know that we will watch over your family, and that are loved, will be missed and NEVER be forgotten.

Cpl Tony Brisinte
OCSO

December 9, 2010

Rest In Peace.

#2959
U.S. Marshals

December 9, 2010

I am very sorry to hear what happened.

E Craig
citizen

December 9, 2010

May St. Michael and all other fallen officers welcome you into heaven, brother. Rest easy as we take the watch from here.

Deputy M. Rogers
OCSO

December 9, 2010

Another HERO taken to soon! Thank you for your service, courage and sacrifice. God Bless and Godspeed.

Lisa
GEORGIA CIVILIAN

December 9, 2010

Such a young man to be taken so soon. You have done so much good with your life and had so much more on your agenda that was heartlessly taken away in the twinkle of an eye. Our family is missing a brother.
Only God knows the plans of our lives, and his plans for Brandon were ones that were needed to be done in heaven. Guess God know who to pick to get the job done.
You will be missed, you will always be loved, you will always be remembered by your family, agency family, friends, and now, even the public who also mourns with us.

C Adams - Communications
Orange County Sheriff's Office

December 9, 2010

I too have left several posts for strangers I never knew on this site. Now to actually leave a post for someone I knew and considered a friend is so hard. I am still in shock. Brandon, thank-you for helping me out when I started this career three years ago. You were able to answer some of my rather odd questions and point me in the right direction. You had so much passion for the job and it showed with everything you did. Thanks for keeping me entertained in some of those rather dry classes we were in together. You will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Coates family.

“Letter From Heaven”

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say... but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay. I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love. Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night. That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through, God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone. As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on. I need you here badly; you're part of my plan. There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do. And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight. God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night. When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain. Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain. I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned. But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand. But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er. I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb; but together we can do it by taking one day at a time. It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too... that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you. If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain, then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile, knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile. So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low, just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind; I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind. And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free, remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
~Author~Ruth Ann Mahaffey

D/S Breneman
Orange County Sheriff's Office, FL

December 9, 2010

Thank you for service and dedication to your department, community and the people you severed.

Adrian Murhy
n/a

December 9, 2010

My family and I send our deepest condolences to the family of Deputy Sheriff Brandon Coates. We further extend our condolences to Deputy Coates' friends, coworkers, and the community of Orange County.

P. Martin

December 9, 2010

Remember, "We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." You went above and beyond meeting this challenge. Your brothers and sisters in law enforcement will always remember you and may you watch us over us as we continue the fight.

Detective Louis Tomasetti
Asheville Police Department, NC

December 9, 2010

Another tragedy indeed. My thoughts and prayers go out to Deputy Coates' friends and family.

Det. Mike Bradford; RET
Tallahassee Police

December 9, 2010

Brandon, You were taken to soon from us by a coward. I am honored to have known you and called you my friend. Our prayers and thoughts are with everybody at this senseless and tragic time. RIP Brother

Liz
Friend

December 9, 2010

All of heaven hushed when God announced his arrival.

Anonymous

December 9, 2010

My prayers go out to the Coates family and the Orange County Sheriff's Office. We've got the watch now. Rest In Peace Brother. All give some, but you gave all and paid the ultimate sacrafice. You may be gone but not forgotten.

Ofc. J. Gonzalez
Longwood PD

December 9, 2010

REST IN PEACE FELLOW BROTHER FOR WE NOW HAVE THE WATCH.
MY PRAYERS ARE WITH BRANDON'S FAMILY, FRIENDS AND THE OUTSTANDING DEPUTIES OF THE ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT. GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU.

SGT/RETIRED DEPUTY
Iowa

December 9, 2010

My prayers are with you and your family. Thank you for your service. Rest in peace, my brother.

Deputy Alaina Thompson
Columbia County Sheriffs Office

December 9, 2010

Brandon, you will be greatly missed our Brother of Green. My hopes that St. Michael took you swiftly so you knew no pain. Virginia, my thoughts & prayers are with you & the family. Stay strong and just let your family agency embrace & shelter you. May God Bless and St. Michael protect you all. ....Ellie

Ellie Cardenas, Dispatcher & CISM
Orange Co SO

December 9, 2010

My condolences to the OCSO family and Dep. Coates personal family and friends during this time of sadness. It is always a tragedy to lose a "brother" in green.

Dep. R. M. Soles
SJSO

December 9, 2010