Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I learned of Mark's story today. It has touched me in a way that words cannot possibly explain. Rest in peace, and know that I, nor anyone, will ever forget you.

Morgan Calohan-- Recruit
Lynchburg Police Dept.

July 31, 2009

Upon seeing Trooper Coates' memorial sign on I95, I wondered if there's any way he could be related to my husband's family. They've been in the Gloucester, Virginia area for many generations and "Coates" is a common name on the Middle Peninsula of Virginia. For the past two years, I've been employed by the Virginia State Police (as a secretary) in the Area 33 office in Gloucester. We are a small office, only 16 sworn officers; but I consider every one of them a Hero on Patrol. God bless Trooper Coates and his family. You are NOT forgotten.

Julie A. Coates
Virginia State Police, Gloucester, VA

July 7, 2009

I did not know Mark, however he is thought of often. I am a former Marine MP. As a watch cmdr I have had hundreds of Marines pass through. I first became aware of Mark through a training video. I have watched the dash board video many times and taught many many classes based on Mark's final actions and what happened that day. I have no doubt that in Mark's death, he has helped countless police officer and will continue to for a very long time. In the 6 1/2 years since my leaving the Corps, I have traveled past that section of roadway many times. Every time I think of Mark Coates. A piece of him lives on in many peoples hearts. All my best, Dave

SSgt David J Nawrocki
USMC Military Police

June 7, 2009

RIP Brother.

Texas Streetcop #614

Anonymous

June 6, 2009

Mark,
Somewhere in the heavens you now reside looking down over each and every brother and sister in blue. We pray for you my brother. He who makes the ultimate sacrifice is a true HERO. Every time I make a motor vehicle stop, I think of the video shown to me in the Academy. The video struck a cord with me like no other. It is this footage that is now ingrained in my memory bank that gets me through each stop. By your family allowing this to be shared, you save a life everyday. Rest in peace my BROTHER.
Ptl. Dennis W. Scannell #267 LPD

Patrolman Dennis W. Scannell
Lakewood Twp. Police Lakewood,NJ

April 7, 2009

Trooper Mark Coates,

Rest in Peace. You are fondly remembered by family, friends and brother LE officers. God's Peace.

Detention Officer
Maricope County Sheriffs Office

March 24, 2009

Sir,
Today we watched the unfortunate events that took your life. I will never forget what happened to you and will apply the lessons imparted by the injustice. May god show you his kind grace eternally.

Cadet Charles de Ruyter
Grossmont College Police Acdemy

March 7, 2009

Trooper Coates,

I left a reflection many years ago when I began my journey as a rookie officer. I have never forgotten the sacrifice you made for the people of the State of South Carolina. I think of you often while on patrol and hope that your family know that even in death, you have made a difference for those of us who continue walking the thin blue line. Your warrior spirit lives on in each and every one of us who continue the fight against evil. Rest easy, brother.

Senior Officer J Anthony Sandoval
Kingsville Police Department

March 3, 2009

Mark,

Words escape me as I try to tell you and your family how much of a HERO you are. I can only say that you are missed and remembered by a whole nation of law enforcement and citizens.

Anonymous

February 6, 2009

To the dearest Trooper Coates. You definetely are a hero to everyone in law enforcement. I did not personally know you, but you did a brave act that will be recongnized for centuries! God bless you and many more like you!

Deputy Delanty Langenfeld
Jasper Co. Sheriff Dept.

January 31, 2009

Rest in Peace.

Patrolman Brad L. Reider
Jackson Township Police (NJ)

January 21, 2009

†rooper Coates,
The 16th anniversary of your EOW is today. I watched your video in 2006
and I believe this is my 4th reflection. How wise of your parents to allow
your video to be shown. We DO remember how you died, so violently and
senselessly. Most of us never knew you while you were alive, but I bet
none of us will ever say we don't remember you now. Alot of grateful people
are thankful for this reminder of the job you did so honorably. Thank you
for your service, not just to your area in S. Carolina, but to every state you
have impacted because of your unforgiving sacrifice.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

November 20, 2008

11-20-2008
On this anniversary of your passing, we pause to remember. Rest in peace Mark job well done. Know that your bothers and sisters here have not forgotten you.

Master Deputy
Chesterfield Sheriff's Office

November 20, 2008

RIP.You will never be forgotten.

Anonymous

November 7, 2008

I watched Trooper Coates video in Rookie School with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in 1996. I remember how I felt as I watched his story. I was changed on that day in 1996 in Concord, N.C. Since then I have advanced and grown tremendously as an Officer and a person. I would like to say that Trooper Mark Coates had a part in making me the Officer and man I am today. I am now a field training officer and an instructor in law enforecement and want it to be known that Trooper Coates will always make an impact on every officer I come in contact with.

Rest Peacefully Brother Coates,
We will carry on for you!

Master Officer W.V.Turnipseed
Concord Police Department
Concord, North Carolina

Master Officer W.V. Turnipseed
Concord Police Department

November 4, 2008

Thank you for your sacrifice.

Patrolman Brad L. Reider #185
Jackson Twp Police Dept (NJ)

September 25, 2008

Trooper Coates, I was thinking of you and your sacrifice this evening. Your training video, above all others, has had the most effect on me. I don't know what to say other than I hope youre resting soundly. Youre memory lives each time that tape is shown.

Anonymous

September 19, 2008

I watched your video in the citizen's police academy here in WA state on Jan. 18,
2006. I have never gotten you off my mind. It still bothers me how senselessly
you were taken for $300 worth of weed. You deserved so much better and our
tears will never repay you for making the greatest sacrifice. May the Lord Jesus continue to be with all those remaining to comfort and heal them. Your
video, as hard as it is to watch, will keep your memory alive forever. God bless.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

August 30, 2008

I never got the honor of meeting Trooper Coates, but after watching the video several times, once being as a cadet at the police academy, I felt as if I lost a blood brother. I think about Trooper Coates and his sacrifice daily. Once on vacation, My girlfriend and I were going back home from a vacation that went through Savannah, Georgia. We had just came into South Carolina, and out of the blue, I began to think about Trooper Coates. A short time afterword, I saw a sign that said "Trooper Mark H Coates memorial highway". Once again, I felt as if I was coming to the scene of where I lost a blood brother. I know it has been a long time since Trooper Coates passed, but I wish his family the best and would like them to know that he did not pass on in vain. Trooper Coates' courage and professionalism as seen on the video is the standard to which we should all be held to. I hope that I can be half of the officer that Trooper coates was. Rest in peace, brother.

Deputy Sheriff
Tennessee

August 29, 2008

What else can you say about a man who gave his life to serve the people he was sworn to protect? NO WORDS CAN DESCRIBE! Unfortunately we have to lose a valiant officer to gain angels in heaven. Your bravery was caught on camera and has saved the lives of your brothers who now serve.....THANK YOU Cpl. Mark Hunter Coates.

Deputy Darren Gros
St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office (N.O. area)

August 18, 2008

Watching that video during my training has taught me some very valuable lessons. Thank you for your courage and sacrifice. May your soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.

Pvt W. Warren
Chatham County Sheriff's Dept

July 26, 2008

Trooper Coats,
As has been mentioned many times on your reflection page the video that was left behind has made a huge impact on many individuals across the country. The images I saw while attending the Academy have forever been burned on my mind. I visit the your page daily to remind myself to not be complacent for you never know the time or place where struggle for your life may occur. Thank you for your service even through your passing.

Travis Pidcock, Patrol Officer
Shiremanstown PD

June 20, 2008

I know I never met you, but I have heard nothing but great things about you as a man and as a Trooper. I received the Mark Coates Drug Award last year for the most drug arrest, and it is a very high honor to me. I think about you every time I look at that award and I thank you for paying the ultimate sacrifice to saving lives out here on SC roadways. You are a true reflection of what makes the Highway Patrol one of the best law enforcement agencies and every trooper should strive to be half the trooper you were. God Bless you my friend.

TFC S.M. Groubert
SC Highway Patrol

June 18, 2008

Trp. Coates,
It's been several years now since the first time I watched the chilling video of you on I95. That last 11 seconds of your life has saved hundreds of other officers. Thank you for your sacrifice. Your loss will never be forgotten.
Continue to look down from above and watch over us as we continue to serve.
10-42 eternally.

Sergeant Joshua MacDonald
Kwajalein Police Department (Marshall Islands)

June 3, 2008

I was shown this site and the video at the Butler Tech Police Academy in Ohio. I was very moved by this. It really made me think about everything that are instructor had been saying to us, it put it all in my heart. While I was watching this video, I had a picture of a person that love in front of you. It really hit home.

Thank you Trooper Coates for your service.

police cadet Justin T. Moore
owensville police department

May 17, 2008