Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Coker,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of the state of New Mexico. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

November 18, 2019

Rest in peace Patrolman Coker.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 30, 2019

Trooper Croker killed in the line of duty. My husband I was there when everything unfolded. Seen the suspect exit his vehicle and then the moment Trooper Croker was killed. My husband Dan Boone was the person who kicked the gun away from the suspect and waited for help to arrive. I stated in our car with our newborn. I've never been able to forget how horrible this day was. My husband tried to stay with the Trooper until helped arrive. I will never forget you Trooper Croker I want to alway remember and honor you.

Theresa Boone Duprey
Witness

November 26, 2017

Well David here it is November 18, 2016. I've been thinking about you all day and could not make it stop. I decided to look you up. I forgot the exact day you went to see God. It's been 37 years today. I still miss you little brother. Everyday. I am grateful that God put you in my life. I put 37 years in law enforcement. The numbers seem like a coincidence, but I believe it's not. I somehow made it through those years without getting shot or having to shoot anyone. I have to attribute part of that to you. I still remember what you taught me. There were others I learned from, but you were the one I considered my training Officer. I have 3 children in Law Enforcement. I ask that you watch over them. I thank you for your friendship and training. I know that you are with God. Thank you for your service.

Micheal R. Mirabal, (Retired Captain)
Alamogordo Department of Public Safety

November 19, 2016

My husband and myself and infant son was there the day Officer Coker was shot and ultimately passed away. I've never forgotten Officer Coker I think about that day and still haunts me. It was my husband at the time who kicked the gun away from suspect. The suspect was trying to crawl his way to the gun. Others stopped to render aid and call for assistance. I still remember the suspects car and he had puppies in the back seat. I remember the Officer and the suspect standing on the other side of the interstate and then seeing Officer Coker fall. I will forever continue to pray for him and his family and all his brothers and sisters in law enforcement .
I had to post this today. I want his family to know about his courage and how he handled himself that day. He left this earth as a Man of courage and honor. In Heaven I truly believe he is watching over us all. As one of Heavens Guardian Angels.

Theresa Duprey

October 17, 2016

I was a Deputy Sheriff in Santa Rosa (Guadalupe County) and worked with Dave Coker. I very much considered him a friend and mentor. He taught me Officer Safety. On the day his life was taken, I was working for a police department in the southern part of New Mexico. I have never forgotten my friend Dave. I will forever be thankful for this child of God. He was always patient with me when we were patrolling together as it was only my second year in law enforcement and still considered a rookie. On the day he died, I got the news and was devastated. I will never forget him. I know that God has him in his care.

Captain M. R. Mirabal (Retired)
Alamogordo D.P.S., Alamogordo, N. Mex.

September 21, 2015

I have never forgotten my old friend. We used to work together and share a beer off duty when I was a police officer for the city of Santa Rosa and then an EMT for the cites ambulance service. I had just gone off duty when the call came in that day. He was a good officer and friend.

Joseph P. Page

June 11, 2014

I knew David when I was an agent in the narcotics division. It was a really sad day when I heard he had been killed. I remember his funeral and it made me feel sad, yet proud that I was a State Police officer and worked with officers like him. It has been a long time, but I have not forgotten.
Rest in peace David.

Commander L. Gallegos, USN (Ret)
U. S. Navy

November 21, 2013

Gone but not forgotten!

Capt. Glenn E. Kresge
Delaware Health and Social Services

October 28, 2013

Seems like yesterday, I knew David well and went to school with his brother. I wonder if any of that group is left in Law Enforcement

Chief David Miles
Palacios Police dept.

September 26, 2012

I knew this fella; I was friends with his relatives, Ken and Carol Coker. I watched David score a 95 on a bull ride in Socorro, NM - I'll never forget that.

Jack Durham
Friend

June 16, 2012

David
I miss you so much! You were more like a brother than a cousin. Now Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Harvey my son Van Daddy Pete and Grandma Have joined you rejoice with them and may all rest in peace with Jesus.
I Love you all
Peggy

Peggy Winders Dewey
Cousin

December 31, 2011

I go to ODMP daily as I have for years and see David's page.We would be the same age now if he had lived and enjoying retirement like I do. Always gives me a heavy heart when I read these and I have lost a number of friends on here.
Bless you David.

Ken Hancock
Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD (ret)

January 19, 2011

On the 30th anniversary of Patrolman Coker's death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Patrolman Coker is not forgotten.

Sergeant Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

November 11, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 30th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

November 11, 2009

Officer Coker, thank you for your service and dedication.

Rest in peace.

Michelle - wife of US Marshal

October 1, 2009

It's been almost 30 years. I will always remember that day, it was one of the saddest days. My husband and baby son and I were on that highway with you. I remember you passing our car with your lights and I knew someone was going to be pulled over for a traffic volation. I guess this is why I have never forgotten. I remember seeing you down the hill from your car and almost at the same moment were we passing I saw your life being taken. My husband stopped he had some medical training in the air force. As my husband ran to you it was then he realized the person who took your life was trying to drag himself to a hand gun. It was then that I saw my husband kick the gun away and put his foot on that criminal to hold him to down until help could arrive. I remember looking at the criminals car and he had little puppies in his car. I couldn't understand how this could have happened. You were doing your duty, your job, he had no right to take your life. I know your resting place is in Heaven and one day we will meet. I will say thank you for making the street safe. A job well done.

Theresa (Boone) D
Witness your last moments

May 26, 2009

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 17, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

VAnDenBerghe
Manchester, NH

November 6, 2007

Good on you,Ptlm. Coker, for taking down the worthless piece of trash who took you from the good people of NM on that lonely night so long ago! Because of you (and the presence of your backup gun), none of us will ever have to worry about being harmed by that sub-human. Cst. Henry of EPS said it all,and I second it. RIP-you more than did your badge and the Oath proud.

Paul
na

June 16, 2007

Hero! Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

November 3, 2006

You are a hero. You killed your executioner. Rest in peace.

Cst. Mike Henry
Edmonton Police Service

April 24, 2006

David - I think of you today as Deputy McGrane is laid to rest after dying in the line of duty as did you. You were a wonderful cousin and a fine man and we will always miss you.

Judy Burkhead Paulsen

March 28, 2006

David
I will never forget you. Thank you for the friendship and training that you provided me. Your memory lives on.

Captain Michael R. Mirabal
Alamogordo Department of Public Safety

November 7, 2005

You, like many other Troopers and Officer's in our great nation should never be forgotten and always be remembered and thanked for your bravery and sacrifice. AC

Trooper
Pennsylvania State Police

July 1, 2004