Metro-Dade Police Department, Florida
End of Watch Wednesday, May 16, 1979
Reflections for Police Officer William Coleman Cook
The Sheriffs of Florida and their deputies will never forget the sacrifice you and your family made to uphold our laws and protect society.
Your name has been inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs and the National Law Enforcement Memorial and in our hearts. May you forever rest in peace.
A scripture inscribed on the Florida Sheriffs Law Enforcement Memorial:
"Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the children
of God." Matthew 5:9
Executive Director Steve Casey
Florida Sheriffs Association
August 20, 2016
Swift and sure, humble and humane, honest and dignified, all the makings for one's successes in their pursuits in life and in the professions they choose to follow. Have a goal, stick to a path and follow the lines righteously, don't let your mind lead you astray. Nothing left you, Officer Cook, always in command of your principles and in the general realities of what made you so loyal and faithful. Now because of your sacrifice, because of your unwavering bravery and commitment to excellence, you are so deserving of the honors and salutes afforded to a special Dade County police hero. A representative of humanity, one who carried himself and his department through missions of humility that shine on as does your very treasured soul. The matter of character, its caring and consideration to all mankind does indeed validate your heroic legacy, as you were a true professional affirming peace and unity, justice and fairness to all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You are so honored as this society was privileged to have you serve us as a true Godsend. You were a blessing to your family, comrades and close friends. Perseverance and partnership to a community where you were devoted, dedicated and determined to fight off the forces of evil. Always the humbly faithful servant who now watches over us with God's guiding grace steering the travels of His angelic heroes and heroines.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 20, 2016
We turn the page, though we cannot turn back time nor take back back that tragic day of May 16, 1979, in which you gave your life and police career, Officer Cook, to the honor and dignity, the pride you exemplified in service to Dade County and its residents. You were most gallant, valiant and noble in all your heroic acts of kindness, peace and in freeing those who were oppressed or troubled in any way, shape or form. Your legacy was carved as God creates us each in their own image. You were sent to us on a mission of exploring and excising violence from our midst. You did outstanding and provided the necessary preservation of both life and property. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your courage, character and convictions have been taken now to a higher level of eternity where you soul and observe us performing proudly and justly as you showed compassion and fairness to all mankind. You'll not be forgotten for your humanity or charming charisma you congenially displayed to each individual.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 20, 2016
Demonstrating a propensity for professional proficiency, we ask our most bravest and beloved officers so dear to their families and so loyal to the communities they serve and protect by the grace of God and the honor, dignity and integrity that lies beneath their uniforms and badges to be careful and stay under self-control. You were a humble man, Officer Cook, an even greater sparkle in your parents' eyes. Dade County has witnessed lots of changes and progress all because of your faithful duties you performed to keep people safe, secured and most important, peace where it belonged. You will be saluted and so fondly remembered for your leadership, wisdom and vitally inherent vision to see ahead of you and what needed to be accomplished. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 20, 2016
There must be a passion burning inside to serve our citizens, protecting and saving them from harm. There must be an unwavering integrity that too must burn inside the stomachs of our esteemed and humble heroes and heroines. There was a young and very dedicated police officer patrolling Dade County streets and its venues back in the early 1970's until May 16, 1979 and that was one of God's most devout and faithful of public servants, yourself, Officer Cook. But a compassionate and considerate gentleman who left his mark on society through your heroically noble actions. Grace, decency, character all filtered into the equation of your professional feats, Officer Cook and you won't ever be forgotten. Only cherished, admired. saluted and respected for coming to the aid of the civilians and your colleagues. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Where commitment and courage meet eye to eye, they touched our hearts with your humble and truly humanitarian presence.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 19, 2016
Love of all is the message of unity and peace that we endeavor to practice each moment we breathe. We live to serve God as our heroes and heroines place their bravery, honesty, dignity and integrity on the line to preserve our best interests. On May 16, 1979, you gave your life and career, Officer Cook, to protect and save lives. Lives of your faithful comrades, lives of civilians looking for civility and serenity in Dade County. Pouring your heart and soul into your entire professional duty, God took you back to heaven to serve a more vitally eternal role and that is to watch over us, guide us to humbleness and the humility that you provided the citizens with all the days of your life. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Character, commitment and decency are all what our angelic heroes are about. It's their humanity that drove them and their determinations for us to live better and to pursue greater heights.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 19, 2016
A hero's actions validate the valor, dignity and integrity by which they serve and protect all mankind. Dade County and its residents could never have been in any better hands than yours, Officer Cook. Fortifying society with noble and gallant displays of courage, concern and stellar character are just some of the many attributes that must accompany one on their daily rounds to maintain the necessary peace and enhancement that society dictates shall happen. As honored and as cherished as you were, Officer Cook, it was and will forever be your blessed good name and its faithfulness and resolve that saved, preserved and patrolled. The will of God was fulfilled as was your heroic mission to unwind that which has be tied up, our freedoms. Let us pray as you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero that God bonds us together in love and in admiration as sisters and brothers who serve the same God and that we can summon our hearts to do His will properly and promptly.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 19, 2016
I have been on a little vacation with a family friend and her granddaughter in Orlando, Florida for the past three days. I make a little time to remember a man whose devoutness and dedication helped you serve Dade County, Officer Cook. You were a man on a mission of labor and love, as you were respected and admired by all your close friends, family and comrades who participate in eliminating this terror we brand as evil. Not an easy thing to come to grips with. It take severy ounce of one's honor, integrity and dignity to go out and police society the way it should be. And you determined your course, Officer Cook, with every breath you took, with every word you elucidated, the message was never any clearer. Strength of heart and mind, bravery and its boldness like a lion. Commitment to excellence and pride you took, Officer Cook, in the uniform and badge you donned so humanely. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You were our hero. You were the people's Godsend of humanity and it showed in your morals and work ethics.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 18, 2016
We take vacations for pleasure and relaxing. You took vacations and getaways with Karen, Officer Cook. You furthermore took your professional responsibilities quite seriously. You took honesty, dignity and integrity on all your patrols around the areas of Dade County in which you were assigned to protect and serve. You were a humbly heroic man whose journeys in life and during your career were fortified by God's loving hands. Colleagues remember the likeable and congenial gentleman who knowledge and skills helped to gain th epeace and unity for all mankind. You will never be forgotten for your bravery, valor and the decency, character and desire which is part of your job. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 18, 2016
Trivial matters are just as implied. Serious actions are demanded when any given problem arises that calls for sterner measures. There is no need to contemplate, honesty, integrity and dignity shall be called into service. Officer Cook, your stellar reputation of resourcefulness and resolve was gained through experience and hard work. All the training and classroom time is rendered meaningless unless one's thoughts are purely on a level that all police officers are expected to function under. A cherished man. A steady force of leadership, knowledge and that maturity beyond your twenty-five years carried you from place to place in Dade County as you pursued peace and unity for its residents. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your legacy of courage and valor shall remain the foundation by which all future officers shall protect and serve the public.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 17, 2016
To stand guard and to protect our missions in life through peace and contentment, this was your calling, Officer Cook, no one was going to stand in your way. It's when the brave servants seize the moments and when honesty, dignity and integrity are allowed to see through the darkest times, that was when Dade County residents understood fully there was a real brave hero watching their backs. You will never be forgotten for your heroism, humbleness nor sense of pride which guide dyou to success. A life well lived, a mission faithfully completed. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 17, 2016
Channel your best effort into making society a better place to live and to succeed. Do it earnesty and honestly. Do it with integrity and dignity. Dade County and its residents placed their hopes and libertie ssquarely in your hands, Officer Cook. Conviction, character and the desire to do what was deemed proper was the highlight that highlighted your life and professional career. A legacy that instills a certain work ethic that is expected from our bravest public servants. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You gave your life so that determination and desire can be maintained and transplanted within others.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 16, 2016
The routes of righteousness take paths over resistance, so one must stay away from any temptation that may not be desirable. It's the honest and dedicated work of our beloved police professionals that shall dispel violence and evil. Wickedness epitomizes leaving God given opportunities behind and carrying out actions that do not make sense nor make this a better place to live. We must cherish any way possible in making life more meaningful. Something that was practiced and preached in your home, Officer Cook. This was your central location from where you derived your manners and politeness, honesty and decency. Your parents and family can be proud of their heroic son and Nancy can be proud of her younger brother. A young man sent into Dade County to seek peace and pursue the enhancements by which we live today. A sacrifice that befits your legacy of humility. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 16, 2016
Haste makes waste, so in order for any law enforcement professional to be successful their journeys of service and protection must be paved with honesty, dignity and integrity. Clarity and calm must arrive at the scene together as one in order for peace and unity to be as one. Dade County citizens yearned for their officers to assist them, you were superb and outstanding, Officer Cook, at providing leadership and the intellect to preserve their dignities. One never forgets a humble man, a hero whose mission was clear from the beginning, to enhance and to allows peaceful pursuits of one's dreams and aspirations. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your legacy, Officer Cook, its character so bold, your commitment to serve could never be clearer. A message worth heeding.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 16, 2016
Police work is not, repeat, is not a race to see who crosses the finish line first. Before crossing that supposed line, one must police and protect with honor within their being, stay dignified and carry integrity that will greatly assist any endeavors into making peace and togetherness a reality. You were a very open and up front individual, Officer Cook and Dade County and its residents witnessed true prosperity and everlasting changes for the better. You can be sure you will always be so honored and humanely saluted for grace and gallantry that continues its trek around a community you served and sacrificed your life and career through character and encouragement for all mankind. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. One who convicts their being to righteousness and heroic actions shall always have place reserved among God's most loyal and faithfully devout angels of valor. Your badge and uniform made all the difference in designing determination and hopeful optimism among all folks. That thin blue line seems to sadly enlarge itself almost daily, it is the price our esteemed men and women place on the line for our liberties to be channeled for good use.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 15, 2016
When departments enlist men and women of decency and in character they as well as the citizens they serve and protect expect honest and dignified efforts. Anything without integrity and troubles seem to increase. Dade County was your home and community, Officer Cook, revitalized and enhanced by your humane and humble feats of intuition and a positive influence. Standing face to face with conviction and the courage to guide us through moments of duress, you will be remembered and saluted for having the fortitude to act passionately and heroically to save lives of your comrades and the civilians who looked up to your leadership and stability. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You were well respected and revered by all, a lesson humanity teaches us regarding outstanding service by an angelic public servant. Gallantry continues its pace as others seize the moment humbly to serve and perform as you did so well, Officer Cook.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 15, 2016
Dispelling dishonesty, undaunted by depression, devoted to professionalism through honor, dignity, integrity and faith, our world calls upon all types of individuals, loyal to the cause to see us through our rough times. Through and through, you were a truly honest and brave warrior, Officer Cook. You fought the forces of evil and accomplished in allowing peace and unity to take shape in Dade County. Its citizens rely upon our finest and most courageous to pull us beyond our doldrums. When women and men of character, commitment to pride and excellence work as one entity chances are the outcomes will be better. You meant everything, Officer cook, to your family, friends and colleagues. You were considerate, loyal and amendable to do whatever it took for peace to be a resolution. Not just conversation. Action. You can talk as long as you are reinforcing your communication with resourcefulness. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 15, 2016
Everyday in our country, our land of freedom, peace and expression, it just seems to be getting worse. Violence and oppression have seemingly taken over. Its roots run far and wide and for police officers like yourself, Officer Cook, getting a handle on this serious problem needs more though while one stays honest, dignified and carries integrity as their baton. Kind of like a forest fire, one small spark and then no telling what might occur. Your were a decent and intelligent man, Officer Cook, calm,. composed and centered on your professional jobs at hand. They can be daunting, numerous and stressful, all a part of being a police officer. You were treasured, revered and remembered for your outstanding valor and bravery. A gentleman of precision and character, class and desire. God watched your journeys around Dade County and its residents as you restored peace and sanctity for all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. A legacy of humility, heroism and hope for all enhancements to be forever cherished.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 15, 2016
We celebrate life by honoring those proud, humble and brave souls who expose themselves to the dangers and perils that interfere with our liberties. After all, we live in a free and peaceful society. Unfortunately, that peace has been displaced by those evil enough to think they have a liberty to commit violence against those who subscribe to the pursuits of peace. Thirty-seven years later, we honor you, Officer Cook, a humbly admired servant who led by the examples of integrity, dignity and faithfulness. When resolve came calling, you were right there in the heart of Liberty City in Miami-Dade County protecting and rescuing other comrades and civilians from the abysses of violence. One legacy sure to be noted and never forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Character, dedication, determination, they dominated your professional aspirations and have served as our inspirations in the happy pursuits of life and for that matter whatever we choose to rigorously try to achieve. Trying is better than resting on one's laurels. Movement is necessary if we are to succeed in all our journeys. The heavenly gates of God's shelters stay open for eternity, the tragedy is too many heroes going before time on this Earth. We always expect more from public servants, you gave, Officer Cook. We should be thanking you more. God does shed His grace on thee. Keep watching over us, our hero and Godsend.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 14, 2016
As I was perusing the fallen officers page, I came across an Officer, Sergeant Ronald Harrison of the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office in Tampa, Florida. He was fifty-five and had served twenty-nine years. He was shot and killed in the line of duty and he was set to retire soon there after. What caught my eye, Officer Cook, was his badge number, 1664, the one you wore so humbly and proudly as you endeavored to deliver peace and prosperity to all Dade County residents. Sgt. Harrison was a humble hero like yourself who made a difference in his community of service. And like you my neighbor, friend and hero, he too will so honored and saluted. Rest in peace. God;s shelter of angelic heroes sadly is once again eternally greeting more fallen heroes. When will this violence abate? When? Hope the end of evil is near.The day of redemption is soon to come.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 14, 2016
There is a saying, "burning the midnight oil." Since police officers work all shifts to protect and serve the public, proper rest and awareness is always essential. But then so is the characteristics of honesty, dignity and integrity never to be lacking. No matter the time, the place or the dilemma, an officer must stay focused and engaged in their professional tasks at hand. You were a confident person, Officer Cook, humbly, yet when more firmness was called upon, you drew this from your inner strength. Missions are for those who valiantly and bravely pursue peace on our behalf. It is done with the greatest care and compassion, consideration to all. And this is why you remain respected among your peers and those who courageously fought those battles alongside of you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your constitution was made up of character, decency, devotion and dedication to enhance Dade County and its citizens forever. Changes can be difficult. They can appear suddenly from out of the blue. No matter you will be remembered as a hero full of humility to all humanity. A gentleman and a heralded legend who never backed down or away from evil. You contributed mightily in lessening violence and its wicked roots of evil. A monster, those who serve today strive to crack the whip and reign its terror in.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 14, 2016
Even behind the darkest clouds, there will always be a sunrise and a sunset too. You fortified those gloomiest of days with your smile and persistence, Officer Cook. Your work ethics were open and honest, dignified along with the much required integrity, for we know without some kind of scruples, your professional tasks might not have had the effect to bring peace and quiet to any given area. Dade County and its residents relied upon you and your devotion. They looked to your decency and ingenuity to pull things together, so no matter the situation, there was always a positive outcome. Comrades, friends and your family, Officer Cook, can live and take comfort in understanding you were their hero, the humble Godsend of all who served with you and you shall remain a cherished soul in their hearts. Your heart was on a mission of faith and resolve and despite what happened to you, your good name, heroic actions and a proudly worn uniform and badge won't be forgotten. Solace comes to the righteous at heart. Those who serve Our Creator and speak the truth are the ones who receive their just rewards. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 14, 2016
Police professionals are part of the solution to the problems of the world. You need the citizens to kind of steer the car as well. If you put two heads together and brainstorm ideas, you will then have a much better handle on things. First, you require one who is undaunted by the dangers that may lie ahead as well as the unwavering honesty, integrity and dignity to surmise what needs to be accomplished. You did everything in an outstanding fashion, Officer Cook. You stayed open to any fresh ideas that might have assisted you. You were diligent and quite persevering. Dade County and its safety and peace process could not have been in better hands. Part of your legacy rests upon the eyes and ears of your character, commitment to excellence and pride in knowing you were there to save lives while protecting the public interest. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 14, 2016
Faith at times allows us the second chance to succeed. For police officers it can earn them a new lease on life. All we ask is that our most esteemed and dignified men and women give full effort in all their journeys. And all we ever asked was why? Why did your life and police career end at the tender young age of twenty-five? For all your pursuits, for all the perils that were placed in front of you, Officer Cook, an honorable man of motion and heroism, you resolved most crimes with your trained eyes and ears. Integrity takes us much further on our trips than we could ever fathom. For Dade County and its citizens, it took a men of courage, class and devotion to enhancements that have stood as your legacy of humility. Humanity's call to summon one's inner strength to bring together a valued community who was served and protected by a truly remarkable hero. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The eyes see. The ears hear. The heart yearns. One day your family will see their loved one who sacrificed so perseverance and the pursuits of happiness could flourish.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 13, 2016
Jubilant and joyful turns frowns into happy and smiling complexions. Seeing your smiling face, Officer Cook, makes us wonder what things would be like some forty plus years later if you were were with us. At least we can take solace and the comfort in knowing that you kept your honesty, dignity and integrity at a high level when you patrolled the domain around the landscapes of Dade County. Citizens were made to feel more comfortable and serene. You were a gifted and decent gentleman whose passions were directed strictly making unity and liberty an asset rather than a liability. Your family can achieve their goals because of your undaunted service and devotion to all mankind. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 13, 2016
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