Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Trooper Coates,

I am currently a Cadet, just getting ready to finish my Academy and begin my career as a LEO. We were shown your video in our Stops and Approches class by Sgt. Hughes. How courageous and selfless you were as your watch came to a tragic end that night. I will always think you when I am out on patrol pulling over that seemingly low risk stop. Thank you for teaching all of us. I will proudly take your watch from here and please continue to watch over all of us Brother.

Butler Tech Police Academy

May 3, 2008

I saw the video of the last stop of Trooper Coates as part of a civilian class. It was such a tragic and powerful testament; I could barely sleep that night. More than anything, the video made me begin to understand what kind of risks that law enforcement officers must take every day. Trooper Coates was a good officer who was doing his job right. May his life never be forgotten.

Melinda Frye
Student of the TPD Citizens' Police Academy

March 19, 2008

An instructor named Lou Tessman reminded me about the video during a interrogations class. I watched the video for about the 5th time now and still at the end I get tearful and can't help to cry. I told my wife who is in training to become a deputy at PTI at University of Illinois for the Marion Co Sheriffs Office about the Trooper Coates stop. I pray she watches the video to see what could happen at anytime. Saint Micheal watch over us.

Ptl. Matt Castleman
Centralia Police Dept. Illinois

March 18, 2008

I am in my last year of schooling and have tacticle training this summer. I can only aspire to be as brave as Officer Mark Coates and hope to make a good addition to some police force, I just saw you Video a week ago and I have a feeling that your story will save countless lives and live on in everyones memory. Thank you Mark Coates. Rest in peace.

Brandon Nienaber
Aspiring future officer

March 9, 2008

Trooper Coates,
I am also one of the many LEO's who have watched the tragic video of that car stop. Your actions that night were heroic and when I saw the video, even though I knew the outcome, I was hoping and praying that your backup Trooper would get there faster. At least some citizens stopped. My wife often asked me when we first started to date , Why do you slow down when you see a cop on the side of the road with a car stop? You, because of you. I have performed hundreds of car stops in my short career and every one of them was with you and all our fellow LEO's in mind. You have saved countless lives and I just want to thank you. Rest in Peace Trooper Coates

Sergeant Chris DiToro
NYPD

February 28, 2008

Trooper Coates, You are truly an American Hero. I am honored to be in the same profession as you, a State Trooper. I am also on the State Patrol's Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Team. Each time we work a detail, I dedicate it to your memory. Your video has changed the way I work. I never pass a fellow officer by without stopping to check on the situation. Thank You for your dedication and your ultimate sacrifice. May God Bless You and Your Family.

TFC J.E. Hutcheson #756
Georgia State Patrol

February 21, 2008

I remember watching your video in the academy. Our normally boisterous class watched in complete silence. I was so sobered I don't remember personally talking again for about 24 hours. Your death has saved more officers lives than can be counted. No stop is routine.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9).

Officer
Mississippi

February 20, 2008

Rest in Peace Trooper. I too grew up with your video displaying valor and heroism. Teaching us all of the dangers we face each time we are called to duty. " People Sleep peacefully in their beds at night, Only becasue rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf"

Thank You Trooper.

Patrolman Jason G. Goff
Fryeburg Me. Police Dept.

February 4, 2008

Trooper Coates

You shall always be honored and never forgotten.

Jim Parsons
Columbus Police and Fire Pipes and Drums

Ofc. Jim Parsons #717
Columbus, Ohio Division of Police

February 3, 2008

To the Coates family,

I recently retired after 20 years with the New York State Police as a Trooper / Investigator. I just started a second career with the Lynchburg Police Dept., and am currently in their Academy. I thought you would like to know that they showed the whole academy class the tragic video during the "Use Of Force" class. I know that even in the class, it was a somber moment, with some very tearful eyes. I am sure that the video will make them better officers in their careers. Don't ever forget that your Dad is a HERO. I just notice that we started our law enforcement careers the same year, and although I never met him, he is dearly missed.
Rob

Police Recruit Robbin Miller
Lynchburg PD (Virginia)

January 31, 2008

I reflect on the tragic loss of this brother and note the memorial sign on I-95 EVERY time I pass in my travels with my family. I have viewed this many times and trained new recruits on how this terrible incident occured. God Bless You Brother and God Bless your family.

Sergeant

January 18, 2008

Dear Trooper Coates: Don't know why you were on my
mind today. Hadn't thought about you in a long time. Looked up my reflection and noticed I watched your video for the only time on Jan. 18th, 2006. It was how quiet the room became as we all watched in horror as Richard Blackburn took your life as if it were something so cheap. I hope he is never allowed his freedom altho no punishment here will ever suffice.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

January 17, 2008

Trooper Coates,
I just wanted to say thank you sir. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May you rest in peace with god and his angels.

Patrolman Travis Oneal
Argos Police Dept. Argos, IN

January 10, 2008

I first watched the video of Trooper.Coates murder years back when my dad was still serving as Sheriff for Attala County,Ms. It stayed with me for years. And now carrying on our family tradition in Law Enforcement the memory of his tragedy is still with me and my brother which serves as a Ms.State Trooper. It taught me that no traffic stop is routine , To always stay alert and never to let your guard down for anyone at anytime. Trooper.Coates my prayers are with you and your family.

Hero's Get Remembered But Legends Never Die.

Officer. Troy (Dwain) Steed
French Camp Police Department

January 7, 2008

AS FELLOW OFFICERS WE SHOULD NOT MOURN THIS HERO'S DEATH, BUT BE PROUD THAT HE ONCE WALKED AMONG US.

THANKS BUDDY

MPO III RICK DIETZ
HIGH POINT N.C. POLICE DEPARTMENT

December 6, 2007

Rest in Peace Sir

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

November 29, 2007

I first saw the video of Trooper Coates' murder when I was in the State Patrol Academy as a new recruit. I have to say that this video did more for my officer safety mindset than anything else I have ever seen or learned. Even though it has been 15 years since that day I offer my prayers and sincere condolences to Trooper Coates' family and friends. I believe that this unfortunate and senseless act has done more to save other officer's lives than anything else I know. Thank You sir for serving your Country and State. You will never be forgotten because your memory rides with me every day that I put on the uniform. THANK YOU!

TROOPER JOHN C. MOORE
WISCONSIN STATE PATROL

November 25, 2007

SCHP - my first childhood dreams of becoming a cop.

Trooper Coates:

Thank You for having served the Lowcountry. May You Rest-In-Peace.

Maj M. B. Parlor
USMC / LAPD

November 21, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family on this anniversary.

Former Police Officer
Fauquier County, VA

November 20, 2007

Trooper Coats,

You have not only given your life for the citizens of South Carolina, you have also helped saved countless law enforcement officer's across the country. On the 15th anniversary of your death I wanted to thank you for your service and dedication to the profession that everyone wants to do but don't have the guts to. You can rest in peace brother. We have it from here.

Master Deputy Sheriff Dave Bradford
Wake County Sheriffs Office K-9 Unit

November 20, 2007

Trooper Coates,

I saw the video tape of the night you made the ultimate sacrifice and it will forever remain with me. You gave of yourself and the state of South Carolina is better for having had you as are all of us in this Country. God be with your family brother, we will never forget your sacrifice. We wills sleep well knowing you are still watching over each of us.

Police Officer Kurt Sinks
Lafayette Police Department

November 6, 2007

Trooper Coates,
I first saw the video of your tragic death while in the Police Academy in 2004. This video, although horrific, enters my mind every day before I start my tour of duty. May you forever rest in peace, and may you and your family be comforted in the fact that your death is not in vain. God bless you and your memory.

Patrolman Matthew D. Leddy
Columbia (PA) Police Dept.

October 3, 2007

Thanks for your service. you will not be forgotten.

October 1, 2007

As my law enfocement carrer comes to an end it is obvious that the video of Trooper Coates has probably been one of the msot important steps toward furthering a survival attitide in his fellow officers. It proved that even the best are vulnerable. I honor your service, and your ultimate sacrifice. May you rest in the peace that you deserve, knowing that you continue to serve us. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Lt. Jim Keenan
Rochester, NY PD

September 28, 2007

Trooper Coates - you have given the ultimate sacrafice for your brothers. I have watched the video of your traffic stop in the academy and at several training seminars. I can't express the deep pain that I feel everytime I see it. God bless you and your family. You have saved more law enforcement officers than anyone can imagine.

Patrol Officer #11
Lindenhurst, IL Police Department

September 18, 2007