Vanessa Yvette Coles

I first met Vanessa when she was starting as an ECC call taker for ACPD, and I was an officer. And 30 years later I was at her retirement function as bureau chief from ECC. She was always a grand person for me: helpful, generous, and knowledgeable. This world is a lesser place, a sadder place, without her care and compassion for the vulnerable, which is so badly needed. I feel so lucky to have known her and worked with her for so long. Sincerest condolences to the Coles family.

Vanessa came into my life July 15 2015. She came to Georgia and brought with her a special gift of true love and compassion rare to find. Vanessa always put others first, whether it was "reverse trick or treating" or sitting in her office with her famous "hourglass".

She was not just a great teacher in the 911 business, she was a true friend and teacher of life and coping skills. "Life is 10 percent of what happens, 90 percent of how we choose to react to these events". I have hundreds of her words of wisdom, compassion and love playing in my mind. Those words and time spent were the best gifts one could ever receive.

I am so saddened to learn of her passing. There is a hole in the world that will never be filled but every butterfly that soars will remind me of the light of smiles that she always brought to so many. She saved thousands of lives including mine. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, her beautiful children and grandchildren, and the countless others who are mourning her loss. Fly free, butterfly, fly free.

Vanessa and I both were living on Hall´s Hill in the mid 1990´s when we first became friends. Later we relocated several times for jobs etc., then ended up both of us living in Belmont Bay in Woodbidge, Va. We often talked and visited each other since we were close neighbors. Vanessa was always involved with training with several police departments and her senior community where she lived. She will always be remembered as kind, caring, intelligent, and a loving person. Goodbye my friend!

I didn´t get to know Vanessa long, but in the short time I knew her my life changed for the better. She was inspiring and ambitious and thoughtful and kind and funny and SO interesting and intelligent. I´m grateful for the bit of time I got to know her and that my life is more fulfilled going forward for having known Vanessa. I´m sorry for her loss. Truly.