Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest In Peace sir you are not forgotten. Something made me think of you this evening and while I never knew you I think we all know what I mean when I say I knew you. I make it a point to get out with troopers on every stop I come across. I stay even when told they are fine. The world lost a good man on that terrible day. We have the watch from here.

Anonymous

October 6, 2019

Seeing this video for the first time in 1997, while attending the Law Enforcement Academy, changed my life forever. Trooper Coates, your passing was not in vain. Your incident has saved countless lives and I pray that your family are held close to God.

Semper Fi, Devil Dog!

Until Valhalla

Sgt.Nelson
Sharpsburgh Sheriffs Dept Prior 2/9 GOLF Company Hell In A Helmet USMC

October 2, 2019

Talking with some of my officers today about your story. Just know, we all think about you and still pray for your wife, daughters, and sons. Rest easy Devil Dog.

Sgt. Geoff Odom
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department

August 10, 2019

Came across your story in LT Glennon's book Arresting Communication. Paying my respects. Rest easy Troop.

TPR GODBOUT
CT STATE POLICE

May 7, 2019

service above self !! GOD pls be with his family / Public Safety family always. Wrap your arms around them around and protect them always. This trooper placed his life on the life to protect us, to protect you !! RIP sir !!

Duane Brown, Capt.
Horry County, South Carolina

November 23, 2018

The shooting served as a training video at the SCCJA and was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to watch . I wanted to crawl into the screen to help him ! RIP Trooper !

Lt . Stephen E. Buffkin
Darlington PD

November 20, 2018

Mark was a great friend, role model and model Trooper. I miss you brother!

Rudy Dinkins, Firefighter
North Augusta Department of Public Safety

November 20, 2018

Never forgotten brother!! Much prayer to your family and SCHP

Judge /retired SC Trooper Danny Lynn
Aiken County, SC

November 20, 2018

Rest easy Brother, we have your watch from here.

K9 Dep Robert Lee
Williamsburg County Sheriffs Office

November 20, 2018

Never new you. I was just in High School at the time. I became an Officer in Maryland for a short time and I think about you to this day.

Thoughts and prayers to all your family.

Officer
Frederick Police Department

August 27, 2018

Mark,
I think of you often. Especially when I'm on Interstate 95 and pass the Mile marker where this took place. As we always talked often as I was assigned to the ACE team as you were but I assigned to DEA in charleston. I'm really lost for words. It's been so long. Mark you are not forgotten my friend.
Love you Brother
Frank Dabney

Frank Dabney
Retired

July 10, 2018

RIP Trooper Coates.
“Never alone, never forgotten”

Records Tech Jamie Bredstrand
Skagit County Sheriff’s Office

July 1, 2018

Even today you still continue to teach officers how to be safe on the street. RIP Trooper Coates your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Recruit Officer Alfonzo, Jessiel
Lexington Police, MA (Recruit Officer)

May 19, 2018

They showed us the video in the academy. Your sacrifice has saved countless officers lives. Godspeed my brother.

Deputy Kevin Thompson
Hardin County Sheriff Dept

March 11, 2018

I crossed paths with him on the job many times. Never heard anything bad or negative. We lost a great brother that night.

Charles Lavender L/Corp Retired
SC Department of Public Safety

February 11, 2018

Rest easy brother, you fought a good fight.

Alfredo Hernandez
El Centro Police Department

February 11, 2018

RIP sir

SPC Darien Brown
U.S. Army

January 1, 2018

Another year. Rest easy brother! Prayers to your department and your family.

Judge /retired SC Trooper Danny Lynn
Aiken County, SC

November 20, 2017

I’ve watched the video of this tragic incident many times. It’s never easy to see a brother gunned down. Trooper Coates was an awesome human being and excellent law enforcement officer. I’ve recently read the book by Jim Glennon called Arresting Communication. In the book Glennon explains that much of what we know now about clues from suspects during deadly encounters weren’t widely known at the time of Trooper Coates’s death. We can honor Trooper Coates ultimate sacrifice by remembering him as the awesome person and cop he was, but also by learning how to use the clues Glennon teaches in his book to survive a similar encounter. In his book Lt. Glennon recognizes Trooper Coates and encourages those of us who read the book to visit this page and leave a message. It is with much humility and respect that I do this.

Field Training Officer Chuck Lambert
Georgetown Police Department

November 10, 2017

May Trooper Coates rest in peace. My brother in Arms!

SCPO USCG RETIRED JOSE MIRANDA
USCG

October 25, 2017

I am always so sadden, every time I was the video. I am retired Coast Guard Senior Chief Gunners Mate. I'd served as a Coast Guard Police Department sworn officer at Activities NY CGPD, Staten Is. NY.(Fort Wadsworth, NY). 1999-2001

We were required to watch "Officer Survival Training videos" (In the line of Duty). But when I saw this one about trooper Coates. It stayed with me since then. I was a Rookie Cop, and Cops don't use a 10-42 for Ending tour of duty, because we are suppose to be 10-8 always. 24-7, 365.

May Trooper Coates a Brother In Arms of mine, rest in peace!

SCPO USCG RETIRED JOSE MIRANDA
USCG

October 25, 2017

I was just short of 2 years on the job when you made the ultimate sacrifice. I learned so much from this tragedy & I'm sure you've helped keep hundreds of thousands alive on the street! You didn't do anything wrong it just opened eyes on how things go bad so quick!

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

October 24, 2017

Mark, your video kept me alive while working the interstate. I was assigned to a Highway Interdiction team as well as when i was on patrol i had interstate in my district. I would go up on the interstate before interdiction got big and i would knock off bad guys on i-75. I saw your video and it was sickening to me to see that happen to you but it also helped me. I thought about you every night when i worked and i had a few close calls. I do believe if i had not had your video for training, i would not have made it through so smooth. Thank you brother and i cant wait to meet you in heaven one day. God bless you and your family brother.

retired
Chattanooga Police Dept.

June 27, 2017

Mark,
This is the first time I have been able to watch this video. It's been years since you and I departed EMS to go different paths. You were a great Paramedic and I was honored to wok with you. You saved many lives for some one to take yours like this. You worked well with a team and I'm sure others would have loved to have been there beside you to try to save your life. My heart hurts to watch this video. You taught me so much...patience, hard work pays off, and so much more.Thank you for being my friend, my partner on many shifts. You made us all feel safe. I know God has a special job in Heaven just for you..Till we see each other in Heaven, I will join your friends,family and other coworkers and treasure memories we share of you. You left foot prints on our hearts...

Susan Franklin
Former EMS Coworker

April 28, 2017

We never forget Mark, may God bless your family in this season of thanksgiving . See you on the other side.

Judge /retired SC Trooper Danny Lynn
Aiken County, SC

November 20, 2016