Marine and Deputy Sheriff Brandon Coates killed in the line of duty

Slain Deputy Brandon Coates laid to rest
By Kelli Cook and Jacqueline Fell, Team Coverage
ORLANDO
Thousands from all over the country gathered to say goodbye to fallen Orange County Deputy Brandon Coates Tuesday.

Coates, 27, was killed Dec. 8 during a traffic stop near Orange Blossom Trail.

Friends, family, and a huge law enforcement turnout packed the First Baptist Church of Orlando.

Hundreds of people in the Orange County community and beyond showed up Tuesday to pay tribute to Coates at a public viewing, also at First Baptist Orlando.

Coates was also a war veteran, and those in the community said his death is a loss for all of Central Florida.

"I myself have three young boys at home,” said Cpl. Scott Jenny from the Orange County Sheriff's Office. “I hope and pray they grow to be just like Brandon one day."

"Brandon was a warrior," said Deputy Robert Ricks.
Those who gathered to say goodbye said Coates was among the best law enforcement has to offer.

Having survived two tours in Iraq as a Marine, it was a local criminal who took his life in a traffic stop.

Friends and family celebrated his life, and his love for his wife Virginia.

"There never before seen such unfaltering love and there's no doubt in my mind they belonged to each other," said Deputy Brian Hummel, Coates’ best friend.
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Slain Deputy Brandon Coates laid to rest

Orange County Deputy Sheriff Susan Soto holds a picture of Deputy Brandon Coates, who was shot and killed Wednesday. (Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel)

Orange County Deputy Shot and Killed
By Bianca Prieto and Walter Pacheco, Orlando Sentinel
1:23 p.m. EST, December 9, 2010
Deputy Brandon Coates, who served as a U.S. Marine, was shot and killed while patrolling one of Orange County's most dangerous areas — a neighborhood near South Orange Blossom Trail known for violent crimes, drugs, prostitution and murder.

"Deputy Sheriff Brandon Coates was indeed a hero and one of the best deputies we have here in this agency," Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said today.

Officials said accused gunman Brandon Lyals shot the 27-year-old deputy in the head twice after Coates pulled over Lyals' white truck near Nashville Avenue and 45th Street at about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

"What we now know is that there was some kind of struggle, or circumstance that caused Deputy Coates to fire his Taser," Demings said. "At some point, Deputy Sheriff Coates was shot in the head twice and succumbed to his injuries after being transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where the trauma team worked on him diligently."
Orange County Deputy Shot and Killed