Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I met Officer Cook for the first time about two weeks before he was murdered. We have two Metra lots in our town and I had just finished a call at the west lot when I saw a Metra squad sitting in the northwest corner. I went to say hello and we had a 15 minute conversation, connecting on several different levels. He gave me his business card. I still have it in my wallet to this day. We had a couple more phone conversations after that and I was looking forward to having a good relationship with this officer.

To Mrs. Cook, I am glad to have met you at your husband's wake. I wanted to say good bye after the funeral, but you were so busy and overwhelmed with grief that I didn't feel it was the right time or place.

May The Lord Jesus be with you and your beautiful children as you come to terms with this sudden and devastating loss. You and your entire family remain in my prayers. I will never forget your husband, the impression he made on me, and the comraderie of common back grounds. He smiles from heaven down at you.

Patrolman Douglas M. Wiencek
University Park Police Department

October 20, 2006

rest in peace tom cook, never met u but worked close enough to think i did. i'm sure your with wally and look for pat barnard also. you guys can keep an eye on us here. RIP

AT #21
MPD

October 18, 2006

Tom was a good man, a true patriot, and a close friend. May God bless him for a life well lived. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Mary Alice Kovac, Esq.
WIU Friend

October 16, 2006

I come to the ODMP often to remember my late fiancé Dennis. Everytime I come here it breaks my heart to know that yet another officer has fallen and that yet another family has to live their lives without the man they loved. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Officer Cook, especially to his wife. Know that you are not alone in the "journey" that you walk. Should you ever need anything please don't hesitate to contact me. The Davis Co. Sheriff's Office in Iowa will always know how to reach me. You will be in my thoughts.

From reading the reflections left for Thomas, he sounds like he was a great man with a beautiful spirit. Those of you who knew him in life were so blessed to have been able to share in it. I hope that you will all continue to find a way to celebrate and remember Thomas' life and the MAN that he was. Remember that Thomas' life was about so much more than the way he died. Thomas will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Officer Cook, thank you for helping to make this world a little safer for us all. YOU will not be forgotten. Please continue to watch over all of us as only you can. If you happen to bump into my late fiancé Dennis up there give him a big hug for me and the kids. It's been three and a half years but we still miss him terribly.

Wishing you brighter and better days,


Jocelyne :)

"Forever Remembering 26-3"

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Surviving Fiancee of Deputy Dennis R. McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

October 15, 2006

MY DEAREST CUZ,
A TRAGEDY IS WHEN SOMETHING BAD HAPPENS TO A GOOD PERSON.THIS IS TRULY A TERIIBLE TRAGEDY FOR OUR FAMILY.NO FARWELL WORDS WERE SPOKEN,NO TIME TO SAY GOODBYE,YOU WERE GONE BEFORE WE KNEW IT, AND ONLY GOD KNOWS WHY.
YOU HAVE NOW CROSSED THE RAINBOW BRIDGE WITH MISHKA ALONG WITH ALOT OF PEOPLE WE LOVE.MY HEART IS BREAKING.YOU WILL BE MISSED. I LOVED YOU LIKE A BROTHER. REST IN PEACE OUR DEAREST TOMMY.

JOHN,SANDY,& JOHNNY NYKIEL
COUSIN

October 15, 2006

Rest in Peace Brother.

P.O. M. Prohaska #18221
Chicago P.D.

October 15, 2006

Tom,
Thanks for being there for me when I needed assistance processing a couple of juveniles. I remember how you eagerly jumped right in starting the fingerprinting and photographs. It made my job so much easier. I thank you.
PS: The low life offender(s)will be apprehended.

Officer chuck Soukup
Metra PD

October 11, 2006

Officer Cook as a Police Officer you just dont know when God will calls you home, however you put the uniform on and go do your job, just know GOD knows best. I will like
all of the MPD Family be praying for your family, so just rest in peace. The offender(s) will be caught and locked up.

OFFICER BERRY
METRA POLICE DEPT

October 11, 2006

The devotion of the greatest is to encounter risk and danger, and play dice for death. -Friedrich Nietzsche

Officer Cook -- The sacrifice you made for your community will not be forgotten.

To all those touched by the loss of Officer Cook -- Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Colorado Springs (CO) Police Protective Association

October 11, 2006

The definition of a "true american hero" is one that leaves behind all he loves, his wife, his children, his family and goes in service of his country and community..you Officer Cook are a shining example of a true american hero. We all here at the Burbank(Il) Police Department mourn your loss and grieve with your extended family in blue. We thank your for your service and dedication and we hold your family and co-workers on the Metra Transit Police in our prayers.Look up our fallen brother, Patrick Righi Barnard, while your in heaven. Rest in peace.

Sgt. ROn Davis,#32
Burbank(IL)PD

October 10, 2006

Although I didn't know you, your death was a senseless tragedy. I offer my prayers to your wife and children for as long as it is needed.

Diane Smith
Sister-in-law and cousin of 2 P.O.s

October 9, 2006

My prayers are with you and your family. We lost an officer just a year ago. It is a very trying time for your family as well as your department. Your dedication for serving is very much appreciated.

Police Officer
Decatur Illinois Police Department

October 7, 2006

My thoughts and prayers to all who knew and now miss Officer Cook.

May God lay His healing hands upon the family.

Retired Captain Joe L. Gilliland
Danville, KY PD

October 6, 2006

Uncle Tommy,
You were and will always be my hero...i love you very much and i am very proud to be your niece and your god daughter. You were a great person and everyone knew it and loved you for it...there will always be a special place in my heart for you. I love you and i hope you knew that when you were still with us. Thank you for everything.
you will always be my hero.
love Traci

Traci
god daughter & niece

October 6, 2006

You are in my prayers.

Ofc. S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol

October 5, 2006

uncle tom, you were the best uncle I could ever ask for. I don't remember one time you were mad at me or anyone else. you will be missed but also remembered as a hero.Now I want to fallow in yours and grampas footsteps I want to be a police officer. my band and i have also made a song in your honor its called heros live for ever and i'll think of you every time i play it. like I told you before we will find the coward who murdered you and i will make sure he gets what he has coming to him.I will watch over jimmy and jessica for you and i will always keep them safe. I love you so much and you were allways the best uncle. say hi to grampa and pa for me

LOVE YOUR NEPHEW BILLY

Billy
nephew

October 5, 2006

To My Dearest Brother
My heart and my spirit is broken. Yesterday I buried one of my best friends, my little brother Tommy. Someone that can never be replaced in my life. Through all of the anger and sadness that I am feeling I want everyone to know what a wonderful,caring,loving and honest person you were. You will never be forgotten. Please Rest in Peace

Marcia
Your Loving Sister

October 4, 2006

Tommy,
Its been awhile since I've seen you. I remember all of us hanging out on the block and having fun. I hate that this happened to you and I pray for your wife and your kids. Watch over them and keep your soul with them. I hope they catch the people who did this to you and fast. God Bless your family

October 4, 2006

Thank you for your service and for walking the thin blue. I hope your children know the greatness of their father and your wife finds the strength within herself to carry the family through it. Requiem in pacem!

Recruit KMH 2648
VBPD

October 4, 2006

On behalf of Chief Piscia and the men and women of the Frankfort Police Department, please accept our condolences on the loss of Ofc. Cook. May you forever rest in peace.

Frankfort Police Dept, Frankfort IL

October 4, 2006

Tom,
I am proud to have known you and to say you were my best friend at WIU. I will cherish the memories I have of all the great times we had together. So much craziness that will allow a smile to burn through the sadness that has occured. A hero dies only once, a Coward dies a thousand deaths. That is what your assassin has to look forward to. I look forward to seeing you again.

To Pam and family,
Please accept my condolences. Tom was a great friend to everyone. He was always willing to go above and beyond to help friends and family. He will always be remembered for his outgoing personality. He will be missed.
Rick WIU ROTC '86.

MAJ Richard Miller
U S Army College Friend

October 4, 2006

PO Cook - We never met but I pick my wife up from the Blue Island Metra station everyday and when I heard the news and saw your picture on TV I realized that I had seen you atleast 2-3 times a week patrolling the lots there. I will think of you and your family everytime I sit in that lot waiting for the train to pull in. You made the ultimate sacrafice and my thoughts and prayers are with your family. God Bless

Steve M.

October 4, 2006

We little knew that morning
that God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly.
In death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you.
You did not go alone,
for part of us went with you
the day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories.
Your love is still our guide.
And though we cannot see you,
you are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken
and nothing seems the same,
but as God calls us one by one,
the Chain will link again.

October 4, 2006

AMERICA LOST ANOTHER HERO, OFFICER COOK YOU DIED A HERO, GO PATROL THOSE STREETS OF GOLD. MAY GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. R.I.P. BROTHER.

SGT. MARC RILEY
ARAGON GA POLICE DEPT.

October 4, 2006

I got your back kid!

October 3, 2006