I was an SP for 15 years before cross training to the First Sergeant career field. I have fond memories of getting to know a lot of the people during my short stint with the 435th SPS in 89. After about six months I was transferred to the Services Squadron to be their First Sergeant. I left Rhein-Main in 92 and was reassigned to the 99th Electronic Combat Range Group in Dickinson, North Dakota to be the First Sergeant there.

I retired from the USAF in 93 as a 1st Shirt (MSgt). I joined the municipal police department right after discharge and have been here ever since. I ran the Bike Patrol Unit, was the Field Training Officer Coordinator and also managed the Citizens Police Academy. I am currently a Detective and work in the Criminal Investigations Division.

I will be retiring from the force within the next year. When I am not working, I'm usually playing golf or tennis. My wife Jo Ann is a Special Education teacher at the high school. My oldest daughter is a Captain in the USAF. She is a JAG stationed in Okinawa. We have a foster daughter who resides in Minnesota and a 14 year old son, whom we adopted when he was 6.

I really enjoyed getting to know a lot of you even though my stay was short in the squadron. Please feel free to contact me anytime.

Det. Chris Coates
(701)456-7765 (work)
(701)260-1734 (cell)
Dickinson Police Dept.

This site is a work in progress. Please tell other 435 SPS members to contact me and add their info. Let's all reconnect. Thanks! I really appreciate it.