Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Its been several yrs since I saw the video of Trp Coates Last traffic stop. I have never forgotten it and each time Im out on a traffic stop myself I take a second to reflect on the video before stepping out of my patrol car and approaching the vehicle I've just stop. It runs through my mind constently and It has reminded me to never take a stop for granted, and to watch every thing!

To the family of Trp Coates, my prayers go out to you. God bless and God speed. Trp. Coates may you rest in peace knowing the lives that you have saved.

Blessed are the Peacemakers.....

Deputy Loonsfoot
Marquette County Sheriff's Office, Michigan

Today is Monday Feburary 17, 2003. My self and the rest of the Basic Academy Class #60 at Alvin Community College watched the video of Trooper Coates horrible murder. By the end of the video we all had our hears in our throats. It is a tragedy that he died the way he did and all over a little bit of marijuana. He had no warning of the subjects violent action and I guess it will help all of us to see how quickly things can go bad. Our class wishes to send our condolences to his family. And to Trooper Coates Thank You For Your Sacrafice.

Robert Powers Class Capt.
Alvin Community College Academy

In your death, so many have lived!

Anonymous

There is no way I can adequately thank all of you who have left messages about Mark. To know that viewing the video of his death has helped save lives is a great comfort to me and helps to give some meaning to a senseless act of violence. Even though it has been ten years since his death, the pain is still there and always will be. But reading your tributes always lifts my spirit, and I wanted all of you to know how much I appreciate your taking the time to write such beautiful thoughts. All of you in law enforcement are very special to me and I will keep you in my prayers. Be safe.

Beverly Coates
Mark's Mother

During the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Academy the training video of your car stop was shown. Many people left the room on the brink of tears, I was one of them. I felt sadness and anger as I viewed the video. Althoug tragic, the training video is as real as it gets. It displays the raw bravery and will to survive you had, I honor you for that, as does anyone who sees the video. God Bless You and your Family.

Patrolman B. Flannigan
Emporia, KS Police Department

Even though your gone Trooper, you and your family may never know the many lives youve saved because of your passing. The video made me angry, but taught myself and my fellow cadets more than we could learn in any class. "Ridgeland R-21" is a call sign I know we will never forget. Thank You for all youve done for so many Trooper Coates.

Cadet Johnny Whisenant
Capital Area Law Enforcement Academy

Trooper Coates,

It was hard to watch the events unfold with the video of you fighting for your life and the tragic outcome on that night on I-95. At the time I saw it, I was a Police Trainee, class B.L.E. 209, School Of Justice Police Academy in Florida. When the video ended, my class, including myself, were silent with grief and tears. It was an eye opener for all of us on what police work is really all about.
Now that I’m on the road, every time I hear a fellow officer make a traffic stop, I make every effort to back him or her up. I feel it’s my duty to do so. I’m not just protecting person and property, but I am also protecting my brothers in blue. I thank you for showing me to never give up, no matter how dangerous the situation is. I thank you for your courage under the pressure of possible losing your life. And most of all, I thank you for being an inspiration to myself and anyone else who had seen what you had gone through on that terrible night.
Rest in peace Brother in Blue, you will never be forgotten. My prayers go to you and your family.

Ofc. Barnes
North Miami Beach Police Dept. FL

It has been over 4 years ago since I watched the video of Trooper Coates last traffic stop. It is burned into my memory, and I will never forget the price Trooper Coates paid.

Sharon Woodruff
BI, Inc. Probation

Trooper Coates death was extremely tragic and will not be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Trooper
Iowa State Patrol

Almost 2 years have gone by since I, too, saw the video in our dispatchers academy. So many do not fully understand the responsiblities that dispatchers are to carry, or the seriousness in them. The shots fired, the cries for help, the fellow officer first on scene's reaction...At that moment it hit me that I didn't ever want to be on the other end of that radio traffic. To Tpr Coates and all officers protecting us, thank you and God Bless.

ANONYMOUS DISPATCHER
KENTUCKY STATE POLICE

Trp Coates and family:
As a trooper I know I always have a partner out there. I keep Mark Coates in my mind daily. Trooper Coates was the perfect example of what a trooper should be. His video truly changed the way I approach and deal with violators. Thank you Mark for helping me be a better trooper thru you.

Trooper Matt Fagiana
Tennessee Highway Patrol

I will not forget.
Ever.

Anonymous

Today in training, we watched the video of your last traffic stop. I said a prayer for you and your family, knowing that even though it has been more than 10 years, you will never be forgotten. There is an old American Indian prayer that says: When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way that when you die,
the world will cry and you will rejoice."

I just wanted to let you know that there are people that are still touched by your life every day, and you are truly a hero - in life and death. Even though I didn't know you -I am truly saddened by your death and for the grief of your family. I know you are watching over us as we now carry on your life's mission for you. Rest in Peace, you are loved and missed.

Kelly Gulich
Reserve Deputy, Fairfax Sheriff's Office

Trooper Coates is an inspiration to myself and other officer's who knew what he stood for and how he stood for it.

Cadet Sargeant N.Benedict
Topeka Police

Devil Dog,
You have given the ultimate sacrifice, and you will not be forgotten.... Blessed Are The Peacemakers! Keep it blue and by all means Semper Fi!!!!!!!!

Trooper Coates,

Your undying warrior spirit was captured for all to see. Even though it hurts us to see what ultimately happened, we now can bear witness that you went out in true warrior fashion, putting five rounds into your attacker, and fighting with that Marine tenacity that is world famous. You definitely were "in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps", the South Carolina Highway Patrol and Law Enforcement officers everywhere. Every time I see the sign with your name on I-95, I remember your sacrifice. You are not forgotten. Rest in peace.

Sgt George Erdel
USMC Military Police (MCAS Beaufort)

TROOPER COATES YOU HAVE TOUCHED SO MANY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS LIVES. SEVERAL OF US HAVE WATCHED YOUR STOP ON THE "IN THE LINE OF DUTY" TRAINING VIDEOS SERIES...I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR INCIDENT...GOD BLESS YOU FAMILY AND FRIENDS...YOUR DEATH WAS NOT IN VAIN!

PO JAMES H GILBERT
COLUMBUS DIV OF POLICE OHIO

Trooper Coates is and should be an inspiration to us all. The relentless duty that he performed for his last time that night is one shared by so many of us. I watched the video of the incident and learned a lot from it and Trooper Coates----Never underestimate anyone. The stop seemed to be going just as a normal traffic stop as we do on a daily basis, but after seeing the video of his tragic death, there are a lot of things that go through my mind on a stop. Mark Coates is one of those thoughts. We can learn a lot from the video, and keep Trooper Coates alive in all of us. Thank you, Mark. Gods Speed, and Semper Fidelis!

Officer Jeff Harris
Victoria Police Department

This was a terrible and tragic ordeal. I have gained a lot of knowledge from you and your video that I have watched. Gods Speed Cpl. Coates.

Semper Fidelis
Jeff Harris

Officer Jeff Harris
Victoria Police Dept.

Trooper Coates,
Again, another academy watched your video today (9-11-02). It made so many of us come to a somber realization that anything can happen at any time. It was so sad to see what happened, it made us all so angry. The terroism attacks that occured one year ago today combined with your video made us proud of what we do and people's foot steps like yours we follow in. God bless.
Idaho POST Academy #135

Deputy M Holthaus
Kootenai County SD, Idaho

Today I sat down, as an FTO, with several new recruits and we viewed Trooper Coates's video. Trooper Coates's experience has a tremendous impact on every law enforcement officer to this day (2002). The recruits related that they believe that Trooper Coates sacrifice will one day save their lives. Trooper Coates memory lives on in their minds every day while they are on duty. Trooper Coates, you are a true warrior. Thank You.

Officer
Clearwater Police Department

I WILL NEVER FORGET VIEWING THE FOOTAGE OF TROOPER COATES' VEHICLE STOP WHILE ATTENDING MY DEPT'S ANNUAL FIREARMS QUALIFICATION/IN-SERVICE TRAINING SESSION. THE VIDEO AND ITS EVENTS ARE FOREVER BURNED INTO MY MEMORY. TO ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO RIDE SOLO OR WALK A BEAT SOLO; MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. MAY YOU SIGN OUT AT YOUR END OF TOUR, AND GO SAFELY HOME TO YOUR FAMILIES. BE SAFE+ WEAR YOUR VEST! MAY GOD BLESS TROOPER COATES AND WATCH OVER HIS FAMILY.

p.o. john e. engebretsen
nypd

While returning from vacation, I stopped at the location Tpr. Coates was killed. There is a sign on the side of I-95 naming it the Trooper Mark Coates Memorial Highway. I have seen the chilling video of his death. I took a photo of the highway sign to be used in training for our officers.
May you rest in peace while we continue the fight.

Lt. Tim Chesser
Florence (KY) Police Dept.

Godspeed and Semper FI

To Lance Cpl. Mark Coates and his family:
I wanted you to know, by allowing the use of Mark's patrol car video to be a training video. You have saved the lives of thousands of police officers world wide. You will never know the number of Police Officers that have seen the tragic and horrible murder of Mark on that night. Those officers will keep the memory of Mark alive in their minds, and use him as a guardian angel to protect them as they continue the fight.

Patrolman Robert Porter
Clemson Police Department S.C.