Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dear Officer Rakow,
Thank you for your fine service with the Miami Beach PD and to your community. Your sacrifice is not forgotten. You are a man to be looked up to; an example to be followed by others.
May your family, friends and colleagues still find comfort in knowing what a difference you made in so many lives.
May God console them among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Kady
Citizen

May 15, 2013

MAY YOU REST IN PEACE BROTHER. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. NOW THAT WE KNOW YOUR DAUGHTER CALLS JACKSONVILLE HER HOME WE'LL MAKE SURE SHE IS PROTECTED.

OFC G V DAUNHAUER
JACKSONVILLE SHERIFF OFFICE

May 14, 2013

You will never be forgotten and your family will always be in my prays.
From the son, retired Jacksonville Sheriffs Office Police Officer Lonnie C. Miller Jr. the son of the late killed in the line of duty Jacksonville Sheriffs Office Detective Lonnie C.Miller Sr.my father.
Keep the faith and God will see you always.
Love Lonnie C. miller Jr.
1st Vice President
Florida State Lodge
Fraternal Order of Police

Lonnie C. Miller Jr,
J.S.O. In Jax.Fla

May 13, 2013

Officer Rakow,

I was only 4 when you died. My dad was a police officer with you. I grew up playing at the community center that was named in your honor. My dad is proud to have known you. Thank you for your service. My family will always remember your sacrifice.

Brooke
Family Friend

April 30, 2013

desafortunadamente el desaparecido Rakow se fue con la verdad para la tumba... rest in pace.

llorante
para ustedes desgraciadamente latino

February 1, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 24th anniversary year of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace

I pray for the solace of all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

December 17, 2012

Continue to rest in peace Officer Rakow, we will never forget the sacifice that you and your entire family made for all of us. HEROES live forever...

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

June 30, 2012

Officer Rakow, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten. I was comforted by the fact that your killer is still behind bars and hopefully will never get out. To this day, he shows no remorse for your murder. He is where he belongs untill his last breath!

Sgt. Scholl (Ret)
Tucson Az. P.D.

March 29, 2012

I also watched the Real Vice show about you last night and not only was I disappointed in how they portrayed your story but they said you were a Miami cop at the beginning. Who ever produced this piece of garbage also had other major mistakes and should NEVER had been allowed to have this "story" made or showed to the public. It was both a disservice to you, your family and to those who served with you. I was only in high school when this happened and I still remember, I lived in walking distance to the youth center that now bears your name and I'm proud to say my daughter went there.
Rest in Peace

Luis V.

March 29, 2012

I watched the Real Vice show about you tonight and I couldn't be more appalled and disgusted by how they portrayed you. I know the true hero you were. That memory will live in my heart forever! I miss you Uncle Scotty!

Love always, Pamela

Pamela Rakow
niece

March 28, 2012

I just saw an account of the chase that ended Officer Rakow's journey on this plain. God bless your family and friends for your sacrifice. God bless you.

S. Sanders

March 28, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Rakow. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 14, 2012

I still remember you Scott; you were always a good friend.

David
Friend

February 4, 2012

To the Rakow family:
I met you last year Mrs. Rakow at the police memorial and was glad to speak with you briefly. Your granddaughter,Erika,gave a fantastic speech about her dad. I also was glad to meet Kathy Minore. I worked with her brother John in the postal service, as he was a classmate and friend to Scott. As we get ready to celebrate Passover, you and your family should have a happy one. Rest in peace Det. Rakow I will never forget you. By the way last week, I stopped by your center, I think they should make a plaque with your likeness and name and put it on the wall, as they did for the late Mayor Chuck Hall.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 17, 2011

It was an honor to be Scotts friend.
Growing up in Miami Beach I was lucky enough to be at the right age to be one of Scotts kids at Flamingo park in 1979, and then I followed him to the youth Center in 81,82,and 83... My dad , may he rest in peace, was a bit of a screw up, and Scott was the one Male figure in my life that I truly admired, and just wanted to be like him.. I have so many cool stories of Scott. To this day I have never met anyone like him. One quick story... The teen boys went Roller skating on a field trip, and there was a gang of older kids at the rink.. Trouble soon started and we all loaded up the bus, to get out of there. About 20, 18 year olds were outside the bus, and one of them jumped up and through a rock, and hit one of the teen boys in the chest.
Scott stopped the bus, literally went out by himself, went up to the biggest one in the group, and shoved him so hard the guy flew about 10 feet in the air. I will never forget him standing down all those guys and intimidating them, because he was sticking up for us. Scott was all heart.
I Love him to this day like family..

Dean Bardino
Friend

December 25, 2010

To the family of Det. Scott Rakow:
I was just thinking about you the other day and stated crying. A grown man a rabbi crying. I used to work for the postal service with a high school clsssmate of yours. I've wanted to call your mom who lives near my family in Aventura and invite her to my home for a meal. Your senseless loss to your family and community will never be forgotten. I have delivered food to the center named in your memory. I have visited your grave at Lakeside Cemetery in Degania near your fellow colleague officer Kramer and Lt. Seiden. There is another fallen officer in AraratII named Phillip Yourman of Hollywood killed nearly 37 years ago. I was riding with a friend on 395 and saw your inspector's funeral procession heading toward the cemetery from the synagogue. I wish Sgt. Sam Gam who went to the Hebrew Academy with me and I believe still works for the MBPD would leave a reflection, but we do as we feel. I also went to the Academy with Lenny Reis and I know you coached football there. Rest in peace Det. Rakow.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 18, 2010

Officer Rakow,
I want to share this moment with you and your family as I know you would do the same for me. I am a 20 year veteran assigned as a detective to the robbery unit with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. This past Fl/Ga weekend, I was working security for a restaurant at The Landing and was approached by a young college student. She wanted to take the time to thank me for what I did. At first I thought it was just a kid just being nice to the uniform. I told her thank you, but she said again, "No, I really do appreciate what you do." My instinct kicked in and I knew there was more to this. The young lady proceeded to tell me that her daddy was a policeman who was killed chasing a suspect during a reverse sting when she was only 6 months old. Needless to say, my heart stopped. I also have a daughter in college and the rolls could have easily been reversed. Scott, as you probably know, your daughter grew up to be a beautiful young woman, well-mannered, respectful, intelligent, and everything you would have wanted in a daughter. You should be nothing but proud of her. Your sacrifice made is the reason I still continue to do what I do. To use the words of your daughter, Thank you for what you did and I do appreciate the sacrifice you and your family made.

Anonymous

November 2, 2009

Uncle Scotty,

I miss you so much and I know that you are giving me the strength I need to pursue my dreams. I'm starting law school in about a month and am looking forward to following in your footsteps. Although, I didn't get accepted to UF Law I know that I will follow your path of service and make a difference in the lives of others as an attorney. I love you very much!

Love always,
Pamela

Pamela Rakow
niece

June 29, 2009

My Dear Scotty:

Not a day goes by that I don't think about you and how much I love you and always will. I wear the Superman charm that you gave me everyday so that when people comment about it I can tell them about you. You were always there for me. You did a great job helping me raise my son and you would be so proud of the man he has become. He has so many of your wonderful qualities and mannerisms. He will be getting married to a wonderful girl that I know you would have loved and approved of. Take care of Daddy, Grandma Lee, Grandpa Mike, Grandma Rose and Great Grandma Sophie. I love you my baby brother today, tommorrow and always. I can't believe it has been 20 years.

Anonymous

July 13, 2008

We take the blame for things we cannot control. We apologize for someone else's wrong doing. We dwell on the past and forget the existence of the present. We feel pain. Pain that is essential in our lives to remind us that we are alive. Pain that forces emotions to pour out of our soul in the form of tears. We contemplate, why it is so hard to move forward and why are we continuously looking back to feel sorrow. How do we let go of something we have already lost? Perhaps we can’t let go and never have to. Our memories will always live on.



I was very young when you passed but I still remember how wonderful you were. I'm so envious of the many people who had more memories with you whose lives you've touched. I hope to follow in your footsteps and make you very proud of me! I miss and love you very much!

Pamela Rakow
niece

July 7, 2008

Uncle Scotty:

Twenty years have now passed since you are gone. Hard to believe since I was only nine years old at the time. I still miss you and you are in my thoughts every day. I will be getting married next year and as I move on in life I will never forget you.

Your nephew,

Eric Kane, Esq.
Nephew

July 3, 2008

Scotty not a day goes by that I do not think of you and miss you all the time. Your love and memory will always live on, for you have touched so many many lives, both young and old. I cannot believe it will soon be 20 years that your gone. We all love you and will never ever forget you.

Your older brother Joey

Cpl./ Dr. Joseph Mark Rakow
Collier County Sheriff/ Brother

June 10, 2008

The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 3, 2007

I was on Motors for FHP on that date. Brother, it seems like yesterday and yet 19 years have past.

ASCENSION

And if I go,
while you're still here
Know that I live on,
vibrating to a different measure
-behind a thin veil you cannot
see through,
You will not see me,
so you must have faith,
I wait for the time when we can
soar together again,
-both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to its
fullest.
And when you need me,
Just whisper my name in your heart,
---I will be there.


Rest in Peace, Brother…

Corporal Gregory A. Cohn
Florida Highway Patrol - St. Augustine

June 1, 2007

Having spent a gread deal of time in Flamingo Park while growing up in South Florida, I was lucky to have known Scott and always looked up to him for his leadership with kids and his great sense of humor.

Last time I saw Scott was at the dry-cleaners next to 7-Eleven on Alton Road and 15 Street. I was picking up some clothes for my Mom and would you know it....as I walked out of the place holding a dress in hand, Scott looked at me and said, "Nice dress Jose" with a funny smirk on his face.

Soon after, we were all devastated by the news of his passing. I feel fortunate to have known him...to have shared a laugh the last time we saw eachother...and to see what a huge impact he made and continues to make in people's lives.

Jose Schmidt
Friend

May 9, 2007