Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Dade county like all other venues can be known as a haven of havoc, another word as is bedlam, kayos and mayhem. But, you were where you needed to be, Officer Cook. You were an astute person and an excellently determined officer. It's hard to imagine where Dade County residents would be today if not for your service and police work that was graced with honor, integrity and dignity. People today seem to make light of what is required from any officer and all their pursuits both in life and during their professional career must be achieved through fairness and sheer resolve. As fruitful and as loyal as you were, Officer Cook, your life should have been allowed to continue as there was more left for you to fulfill and to enjoy with your beloved wife, Karen. God determines our lots in life and yours my neighbor, friend and hero was truly devoted and quite dignified for twenty-five years. You took care of the havoc, even as your comrades were under siege on May 16, 1979, saving them and those civilians from even more harm. The Dade County venue was your haven in which your humbleness and humanity was always displayed, thus allowing freedom, peace and unity to blend in with its citizens. You could always be counted on for your service of pride, devotion and decency. Decorum ruled when you patrolled my friend and so did class and reliability. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 1, 2015

Convenience, consistency and a quiet confidence, all a part of a police officer's daily duties. You were just that kind of officer, Officer Cook, you learned your lessons well. All a child's transformations are begun in their homes and during their youth these morals and values of what we consider good behavior are emphasized over and over. In your home my neighbor, friend and hero, the points your parents made did not need to be repeated too many times. It was your honorable intentions, good fortune, grace, dignity and integrity which carried your life and career what was performed decently and with a resourceful and unwavering bravery, valor and courage. Rest in peace. Your honor, humility and pride in both commitment and in consistency stand as your heroic legacy forever as you are now with Our Creator as one of His golden angels. Good leadership skills start from when one is young enough to begin to comprehend the meaning of both taking commands and directing other comrades by giving instructions.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 1, 2015

One who has complete faith in God and places their focus squarely on doing His will, will be rewarded. As a devout and charitable person, Officer Cook, since you were a young man, you were involved in various community activities that would later prove most beneficial to your police career. As a Cub scout and as a Boy scout, there are so many lessons to be learned. First, you learn how to get along and co-exist with other young men. You go camping, hiking, maybe go on survival camp outs, though, I was a scout as well, I did go with my dad on these outings, as you probably did with your dad. I was not a big fan of survival camping. Compasses, knives and canteens are the tools of these activities. The tools of the police profession are honor, dignity and integrity, all things we learn as we are growing up. The scouts teach and implement these characteristics upon all the young men under their leadership. And now I can see why you were a born leader. Humbleness and compassion sure help make better prepared for the jobs ahead of them. So it was all your God given skills, Officer Cook, which made you more aware and certainly more sure of your missions in life. To reflect back on your life and career, one needs to know it was not only your bravery, valor and unselfish courage which steered you through Dade County serving and protecting all citizens, it was your resounding diplomacy, dignity, honor and stellar integrity which made you one of the best officer during your time. Your legacy is as humble a reminder of what we come to expect from our beloved and esteemed heroes and heroines. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your character carries your family members pursuits this day and everyday. They could not be prouder of what you meant to this world and to this community where you were revered and well respected. Class and decency were carried on your uniform, it's an officer's friendly reminder of what is require.d of them and from them. From one hero alone, the public can learn so many things from that one individual.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 31, 2015

Police officers should be respected and admired, not envied for the causes and pursuits of justice and fairness that they deliver on a daily basis. You were one of the many talented, loyal and faithful officers of your time, Officer Cook, and experience teaches us that those brave and courageous men and women who distinguish themselves in honor, dignity and with integrity are the ones who will succeed in their tasks of a profession they chose freely and without hesitation to join. We realize that police work is not for everyone, not the timid, nor those who are not physically or mentally able to perform up to the standards set by each department. But, you carried out your assignments, Officer Cook, not only by the book, you handled them with resourcefulness and resiliency. Obviously, today times are much different for officers, they still have to act with class and decency. As one of Dade County's many police heroes, it was how you were brought up, raised and understood what the meaning of good character was all about. Honorable and humble. Respected and well thought of. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Envy and greed can lead a person down the wrong path, your path in life, Officer Cook, was directed with a fabric of good morals and total reliance upon those skills which enabled you to command our colleagues. A man of humility and compassion, a treasured public servant does not envy their fellow man, they reach out and assist them as you did on May 16, 1979, when evil and danger was lurking in the Liberty City section of Miami that awfully sad day you were taken from us. And rest assured you will never be forgotten.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 31, 2015

I want to think how we, the common person can be ever so grateful when a man of principle, a gentleman literally and of keen vision sacrifices everything he has on our behalf. Saluting their valor. Celebrating their life and their accomplishments. In twenty-five years of life, six of them well spent and well productive years within the Dade County area, you spent a good deal of your time and effort, Officer Cook, patrolling and following through on your affirmation you first made back in 1973, when you became a police officer with the Metro-Dade Police Department. Class and morals. Discipline and due diligence. Promise and perseverance. Honesty and humility. All the backbones and the very cornerstones of your life and career shared by your parents, sister, wife partners, colleagues and friends, many of whom came to remember and honor your memory at your Inspector's Funeral. No one can predict when their time will conclude, surely on May 19, 1979, which was supposed to be your first weekend off on the day shift when you and Karen could have been enjoying your time off together. Who could have seen this day coming. Not to someone, not yet in the prime of life, who had more,much more to live for and to accomplish. Your bravery, your courage and valor was taken, a part of this country and nation suffers whenever a police officer gives their life and goes before their time. That is precisely why, Officer Cook, you are not forgotten, you are remembered as is your legacy of character and leadership, morals and scruples which can never be stained because your good name and heroic stature grows each day with all that has changed since you started your career of decorum, vigilance and goodwill. The words: corruption, arrogance, rogue, rude and obnoxious never belong in any person's vocabulary, surely not in any given police officer's. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. All your efforts have been rewarded from Our Creator who keeps you safe from any harm. You were a peacemaker who calmed those whose emotions got the better of them.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 30, 2015

Learning to do things in their proper order takes much skill and practice. Practice, practice, practice. Those drums you used to beat in the hallways of Norland Senior High School in Miami, Florida, Officer Cook, it took loads of practice sessions to do that quite superbly. To become the best at anything, loafing on a couch won't quite produce the best of results. Certainly, the ideas and notions you had in wanting to become a police officer, those first gathered hope while growing up in North Miami Beach, Florida. A smiling happy young man who was given all the right tools to achieve. The police academy then polished and trained you in all that you had to learn in order to function correctly and with dignity. Your savvy, your honor and decency then funneled down until you were qualified to go out on your patrol serving and watching over the public decency of those residents who came to admire and to respect your authority. Yet for as brave as you were, my neighbor, friend and hero, there was so much more left for you to fulfill. You championed the causes of goodwill among all people. You challenged people to realize that there was hope and optimism where dignity resided. Those powers of persuasion were helped along by your unwavering and unselfish commitment to excellence, assisted by your pride and devotion, all a part of your shining legacy. Yes, it keeps shining down on those who continue your battles against evil and the roots that soon will extracted from our society. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 30, 2015

Women and men born with class and good behavior know the value of gracing this land with honor, integrity and dignity. It has been ingrained and well placed within their lives. The foundations of outstanding upbringings share in this feat and it's no easy accomplishment. It takes its genesis from when our heroes and heroines are small children learning what it takes to achieve their goals and dreams in life. Obviously, to become a good police officer, plenty of seasoning, dedication and discipline are necessary. You had this thirst for knowledge, Officer Cook, from the time you were a young man until you grew up to become an excellent police officer. You were humble enough to learn the ropes from other colleagues and then you gained the inherent wisdom to pass this down to others. We cannot of course forget your maturity beyond your years, way ahead of the crowd. It still remains your humility, dignity and integrity along with the stellar honesty which today remains as a part of your legacy as a Dade County police hero. We shall be one, meaning one nation, one community where you served and protected its citizens tirelessly, continuing the bonds of liberty and justice for all along with unity and peace that is so vital to the growth of an area. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, those ideas and dreams you had and worked to make them a reality have been passed on to your family members who continue your work ethic as it was performed with class and decency. This is the only way we can survive and Mrs. Cook, I will always say a pray for you, stay well out in San Diego, California. Your son was and will always be an inspiration to all mankind. Whenever I take my daily walk, I pass your house and salute your son's heroic life and his career which he took to heart very seriously.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 30, 2015

I know, Officer Cook, you utilized all of your God given talents to the maximum and it was your devoutness and resolve that carried you in both your life, personally and professionally in your police career as well. Maximizing one's disciplines, one's habits, one morals does take quite a lot of effort not to mention a lot of skill and due diligence. This can only occur if that officer is dedicated and determined to behave properly and to function according to their department's official guidelines. Your honor, dignity and integrity had built during your watch many bridges of hope, faith, loyalty and optimism between all residents of Dade County. Many years-thirty-six years later, the sacrifice you made has continued upon those enhancements, embellishing what we all knew about you, Officer Cook. A loyal and faithful servant of solid character, your commitment to duty, your swiftness to act, heroically as you did on May 16, 1979, has served people well. If only you could have witnessed today all those improvements and changes within the infrastructure of which you certainly should have been allowed to view. The view from God's kingdom is the best view and one that is reserved for His golden angels, heroes and heroines alike who were brave, courageous, valiant and humble in nature. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 30, 2015

One should not allow laziness to cause you to procrastinate. So when delinquency and dereliction to duty end up colliding with one another the results are sure to be bad. But, when dignity, honor and integrity go down the same road, traveling the same paths, the opposite usually occurs and the results of resourcefulness and success are high up that proverbial ladder. All your work, Officer Cook, was totally and without any hidden agendas for the welfare and good of Dade County residents. You were as humbly confident and sure of your abilities and your professional performance made you able to lead other officers through the daily chores of policing and protecting. You were one to take care of your business when it needed to be handled thus allowing peace, unity and prosperity to settle in among those who admired and shared your work ethic. Some are born with talent, others it takes a little longer for those skills to come to the forefront. Outstanding service followed by class, decency and morals all becoming a top notch police officer. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, your courage, your bravery and valor validates what we recognized all along, that your stellar character and transparent legacy are here to be reflected upon forever. Your cherished and giving soul continues its climb to God's heavenly kingdom as it lights up this land. It's the total reflection of both your life lived with humility and your pristine career highlighted by humbleness. More officers need to stay on the ball as you persevered in order to achieve success.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 29, 2015

Increasing one's initiative generally helps one accomplish more. But since you were that kind of caring, compassionate and honest individual, Officer Cook, no pushing, prodding or anymore motivation was necessary for you to do your professional tasks. In life we find out that there are those who need so to speak a "kick in the pants" to get them going. Police work is all about challenges. It is those dignified and honorable men and women who succeed in life and during their careers no matter the duration. Your life and career, Officer Cook, were sadly taken while you had much more left to gift and to fulfill in this world. You had the best in two loving parents who transmitted to both you and to your sister, Nancy, the very important lessons in life and these included, do right, being honest and possessing the much needed morals and character to become first class citizens. So when you went out serving and protecting Dade County residents keeping them unified and peaceful, those traits were already attached to your uniform and badge of commitment to honor, pride and excellent service to all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your valor, courage and bravery was indeed born within you and for your sacrifice you have been remembered as a police hero here in Dade County forever. Your legacy of service, decency and integrity will too be remembered by your co-workers, family and friends.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 29, 2015

Canvassing and caring, all part of any given officer's daily routine. The safety and welfare of a community depends upon that officer's cooperation they receive from within their community, it also involves the dignity, integrity and honesty of that officer. You were the every best, Officer Cook , in leading others and being instrumental in helping to both calm and sooth people's emotions when they became frayed. As revered and as admired as you were during your time, it's no wonder you were singled out for accommodations for your excellent police work . Dade County citizens have something to be optimistic for as their enhancements are a direct result of your unselfish bravery, courage to commitment and the validation of your valiant attempts on May 16, 1979, to stop a dispute between two persons that threatened a part of Dade County where you served and protected with the utmost character, class and desire. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. For our heroes and heroines of dedication, devotion and determination, there is always going to be a special place reserved in God;s kingdom to receive their loving embraces when they lay down their lives to keep alive the hopes and aspirations of others. They now become our heroes and heroines of inspiration. You more than cared, Officer Cook. You pitched in more times than we will ever know. The foundations of liberty, unity and peace are now securely and always have been part of your glowing legacy.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 28, 2015

All police officers have their strengths and perceived weaknesses. It is up to that officer to try and improve upon their weaknesses so as not to be exposed to the dangers and perils that lurk out in the streets where they patrol serving and protecting the common interest of peace and unity for all. You were an amazing person, Officer Cook. Truly a treasured and a most cherished and faithfully resourceful gentleman. Dade County citizens came to know, respect and admire your integrity, honesty and inherent dignity. It carried you quite well for twenty-five years and for six years as a Metro-Dade Police Officer. That void that has been left by your untimely passing may never truly be filled, only through the hopes of optimism and dignity among all mankind that you labored tirelessly to achieve. Your legacy and the very foundations of your stellar character are the benchmarks all future officers aspire to become. You worked, you became devoted to your profession. Hard work and effort usually produce positive results. You cared and you were there in boldness and commitment to pride and excellence so uniquely found among the brave, courageous and valiant heroes and heroines of the law enforcement community. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You were that personable officer to help make all of your comrades stronger in faith, honor and resolve. No prodding was ever needed to motivate you. Today's officers need much more motivating to succeed.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 28, 2015

I know whatever you did, Officer Cook, you accomplished with modesty, humbleness and above all, you did it was honor and class, the very best lessons that your loving parents taught you stayed ingrained within your being. So too, your life and career as a Metro-Dade Police Officer were only focused on the maintenance and welfare of all citizens. You gave with your heart, the stained glass window your beloved wife, Karen, donated in your memory to your church was given with humbleness, class and the highest amount of regards, respect and unconditional love she had for you, Officer Cook. Bravery, courage and valor are not the things all persons are born with, you grew up and learned the important lessons behind these words and what it means to live your life as a hero of which you will forever be in Dade County Police History. That glass window signifies sacrifice, dignity and integrity all of which you possessed and so much more, so much more life did you have to live. Our Creator must take the very best of His angels to patrol His streets and you my neighbor, friend and hero are truly one of them. Rest in peace. Our beloved professionals of the law enforcement community give each day, sometimes, sadly an officer's sacrifice is that way of enhancing a given area and the legacy of that particular hero or heroine's character is there for us to see how they reacted when commitment to pride and excellence is called upon.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 27, 2015

In all different types of work certain plans have to be drawn, certain preparations made, in your day, Officer Cook, the officer that stays cool, calm and collected usually has the best results. In other words the outcome is for the benefits of the residents who are served and protected. May 16, 1979, was a day no one expected to end on a somber note. Yes, you were there to serve all Dade County, yes, you were decent and filled with honesty. Finally, yes, your dignity and integrity were at the front of the ranks. Sometimes, we plan, it is up to Our Creator with His help steering us from place to place where we try to succeed. You did this very superbly for six years of loyal and faithful commitment to excellence. This boldness, this unwavering and unselfish resourcefulness has made huge strides in how people live with their freedoms, peace and unity surrounding them. Your legacy, Officer Cook, rests here in this world, as you my neighbor, friend and hero rest in peace with your distinguished and most humble soul continuing to light up a community that sometimes seems more troubled than other venues around the country. Your valor, courage and bravery were the outstanding traits of a well lived life and profoundly professional and a most consummately fulfilled career. One born from devotion to duty and a sheer desire to help all others. No one can ever take away your good name and all the wonderful humanities you performed during your twenty-five years of life. Perseverance and excellent preparation usually lead to good things. You were that kind of gentleman and even more so that as a police officer.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 27, 2015

Seeing a young man smiling with so much more life left to fulfill so many things, one can only wonder what things would be like today, Officer Cook, with your serene and loving presence helping keep your family and their dreams and goals focused on what needs to be done. They have marched on and have dedicated their desires and devotions to those that you held dear to your heart. A heart of gold, a heart that gave back more to Dade County residents than one could imagine. Your honesty, dignity and integrity were the characteristics that indeed make up an honest officer. You were one determined individual who sought to relieve people of their burdens and enhance their peace, freedom and unity to do whatever they choose to accomplish. A treasured and truly righteous individual who lived his life by ethics and morals, the fabric of your endearing and heroic legacy stays knitted together this day and forevermore. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, it was your grace and gregarious nature which is remembered by your loving family and the police family of which you served and protected alongside of so many brave and courageous personnel of the law enforcement profession. Your smile, Officer Cook, has continued brightening those darkest days. The gloom of evil will be confronted and eradicate done day. Your sacrifice on behalf of mankind will serve as the springboard for peace and happiness.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 26, 2015

Agile, able, astute assertive, words that people need in order to achieve beyond their God given abilities. All police officers when confronted with a problem need calm, dignity, honor and enhanced integrity to be able come up with a resolution. You were the very best at solving and calming people, Officer Cook. Your training knowledge did enable to to fix what needed fixing. If only that day of May 16, 1979, could things have been simply patched up by your commitment to excellence and the boldness of your low tone of voice and the sound logic you applied to all assignments that came your way. Surely, your approaches were successful for the most part and the legacy of quality character, bravery, courage and valor will not be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You were a five star police officer who employed all the right tools to get the job done right the first time. You were one of many heroes and heroines in Dade County who were able to keep peace and unity bonded together. Enhancements and improvements are what we expect our men and women of law enforcement to represent as they are the public servants to the citizens they both protect and serve. And serve with wisdom and great fortitude.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 26, 2015

I meant to say, Officer Cook, firm, yet fair. Fruitful and devoted. You were everything parents would expect from their children. Astute, yet humble. Respectful yet reserved. Courteous not careless. Considerate not callous. Wonderful not wandering. Whatever it takes for a police officer to perform their jobs promptly, prudently and professionally, then this is precisely what is required. The ones who display, integrity, honor and dignity, have the perseverance and diligence to succeed. Many have tried, some may have failed. Effort can sometimes make up for what is lacking, but given the kind of officer a department is looking to hire, then much more in terms of character and skill are definitely needed for success to be achieved. You were at top of the line in humility and bravery, nothing could take that line down. That day, on May 16, 1979, you were right there in Liberty City, Miami, Florida coming to the aid of your colleagues and those civilians who saw you patrol their area quite a lot. It speaks a lot of your courage and convictions, your valiant attempts to thwart evil, what you meant to society as a whole could never again be replicated. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your fairness, your boldness has made believers of all residents of Dade County as to what one gentleman's actions could do to fortify in terms of growth and in enhancement of peace, unity and the liberty to pursue one's aspirations, dreams and desires. We must not forget they were yours as well, Officer Cook, Your sacrifice has surely helped bond a community together where you were known, respected and greatly admired for your talents, charm and charisma. And you have been greatly missed ever since that very tragic day in Dade County police history. A hero forever!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 25, 2015

Everything from the moment a police officer graduates from the police academy, puts on their uniform until the time they retire has to be performed on a professional level of mutual trust and understanding. The officers must be firm, yet firm, honest with integrity, careful not callous. Considerate and dignified. This is what Dade County residents come to expect from all their men and women of bravery, boldness, commitment to excellence, pride and perseverance. You were just that type of professional, Officer Cook, all of your intentions without any shadow of doubt were for heaven's sake and it is precisely because of your monumental motivations that God now has a legendary hero stationed next to Him as you are for safekeeping, patrolling those golden streets where no more harm will ever come your way. Your positive influence resonated loudly through your department and the Central Division where you worked tirelessly to promote freedom, peace and unity. It was not what you could get, it was what you could give and you gave plenty back to the citizens in humility and humbleness, this is what your heroic legacy rests upon. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. When a man wears his pride on his chest and performs over and beyond the calls of duty we respect and admire him, you've been proudly noted and saluted for your service and will forever remain a cherished and treasured individual, you will always be our hero and an officer that all others will look up to.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 25, 2015

When placed in a leadership position over other officers the leader of those women and men has to act accordingly and to able to give commands that will benefit the citizens and those of the officers themselves. The safety and security of everyone rides on those decisions that need to be made. It was obvious that you were a born leader, Officer Cook, as you had the humble ingenuity and intelligence to give directions. Your status as a top notch police officer, a man of honor, a person of dignity and decency, a gentleman of stellar integrity, it was a God given talent you had in leading others as not everyone is born with this trait. We are supposed to give people the benefit of doubt, in your profession, where lives of both the officers and the public are on the line, this cannot always happen. Though, you constantly strived for consistency all done with class and dignity, you be remembered for your valor, courage, courtesy and bravery. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 25, 2015

I'm amazed as I read once again of a police shooting, Officer Cook, in Cleveland, Ohio in which an officer was found innocent of killing two persons who had led police on a chase across the city of Cleveland. There were one-hundred and thirty-seven shots fired at this car at two African American persons, a man and a woman. This particular officer according to the judge who ruled on the case said he didn't know who fired the fatal shots. The prosecutor also stated its case was not totally airtight, it had some reasonable doubt. I'm glad in your day, Officer Cook, you were a careful and studious officer, who was decent and honorable. What has our society nowadays come to? The court ruled the shooting as justified in that the officer may have been in danger of his life. We know police have to take certain actions to protect not only themselves but the public at large that they took an affirmation to serve and to protect. The peace and unity of all communities and neighborhoods must resonate loudly and not be disturbed by wanton violence and evil. Perhaps, this couple should have slowed down, pulled over and obeyed the directives of those officers. We of course were not in that vehicle and we cannot pretend to be in their minds as to what they possibly were pondering. You were a level minded officer. You were reasonable and rational. You were respected. I think people took you seriously as they knew you from patrolling their streets for six years of professional commitment to excellence, pride and honor. Chief Dale Bowlin would not place any of his talented and reliable officers in charge of others if he knew they could not lead and first take orders before giving them. A lot goes in the makeup of such highly distinguished women and men. Valor, bravery and valor does constitute part of this equation. By being resourceful and gaining positive results that is how any officer's career is going to end up after they retire. Something, Officer Cook, you should have been allowed to do on your own terms. Somethings are completely in Our Creator's hands, as He has many humble, cherished and loyal servants such as yourself cradled there for eternal safekeeping. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your service of devotion, dedication and sincere determination will always serve as an inspiration forever. There was no finer officer who served their time with as much class and decency as you did. You'll always be remembered for enhancing the beauty and quietness of all Dade County residents and their venues. Thank the Lord you donned your uniform with the utmost epitome of grace and gallantry.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 24, 2015

A devout and faithful person has a mastery over their traits. Difficulties may arise periodically, the individual who has complete faith and trust in the Almighty will be able to overcome. You had this trait, Officer Cook, first of all, you and your sister, Nancy, grew up in a caring and loving home, nurtured by the love and warmth, charm and grace of your two loving parents. They would not allow failure or pessimism to creep into your home. As you were growing up you learned all the valuable lessons that life has to offer. Honesty, responsibility, integrity and dignity would surely cling to you as you begin your trek to becoming a top notch police officer. The peace, the serene nature of Dade County and its citizens would soon become your number one priority as you served and protected all people with that same level of calmness and unbiased fairness. No one is perfect, yet you were one of the best officers during your watch and its was your stellar character and heroic humbleness that you will forever be remembered for. Once a hero or heroine's legacy is built upon the foundations of bravery, courage and valor it can never be torn down. It stays a part of your family, your comrades and friends from outside your profession for all future generations to stand up and take careful notice. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 24, 2015

Love of wisdom increases your wisdom and since your were wise and mature, Officer Cook, beyond your years, it is no wonder you were a very devoted and resourceful police officer. Your caring concern, coupled with your intuitive and intelligent nature was what helped you sustain yourself and that of those officers who partnered with you sometimes. We all need something to acquire something, after all, we are all born from a blueprint of what God expects us to all accomplish. That is to make this a safer world to live, learn, laugh a little, love a little and produce results that make us humbly proud. Well you achieved, Officer Cook, you didn't just try. You got the job done and as a matter of fact, you did your assignments in an honorable and dignified manner. The scope of your integrity is something that all officers today could surely use a lesson or two in. You loved your family, they loved you, you could not have made them prouder. You were a respectful gentleman. A treasured and a most cherished leader of hope, optimism and you continue to inspire as you did when you first started your police career nearly forty-two years ago. A man of reason for all seasons, you instilled class and decency out on Dade County streets while serving and protecting the public interest. Unity, peace and prosperity could not have been placed in any better hands than yours. As God now cradles one of his many angels of sterling character and heroic humility, let it be known that your legacy remains forever etched in all our hearts and souls. It bonds the past, the present and the future. This is the cornerstone, the foundation, the building block that all police departments should begin. Take one look at Officer William C. Cook, Badge#1664. Do a little research and you'll find the reason why. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 23, 2015

Venerable and versatile, honorable and humble, these are the characteristics we look for in our heroes and heroines of the law enforcement profession. The police departments that hire their officers look at many other issues, among them of course is desire, dignity and stellar integrity. Of which you maintained all of these, Officer Cook, as you patrolled the corridors of Dade County. Your sense of guidance and direction not only improved enhancements back when you performed your tasks, but have continued on this day thirty-six years after you gave your life to secure the freedom, peace and unity for all. A very uniquely talented and skilled individual who was not only well received, but well respected among the ranks of all your colleagues. Your service of distinction, dedication and determination has continued its march, though you have been greatly missed by all, your loving police family and its surrounding community as well as your loving family members who have been successful in all their endeavors as you watch from God's heavens above. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The light of your soul, Officer Cook, will always shine down upon us with the consideration, care and concern you carried for all mankind.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 23, 2015

You really loved your profession and the opportunities that presented themselves to you, Officer Cook. You were self-confident, motivated to all the essential causes. You were honorable and dignified. You knew when to ease up a bit and when to be firm and in control. That is why all officers enjoyed working side by side with you. A person who is humble, yet knows their limitations and when to utilize them properly will have more success than the one who is lacking these qualities. Arrogance can only inflame a situation. Composure and confidence carry equal weight as much as diligence and determination. Your success and achievements in both your life and during your police career were centered upon knowing what needed to be used to bring resolve to a situation. And loyalty and humility assisted you as much as your maintaining a calm and optimistic approach. Life is filled with challenges, police officers, whatever job you choose to perform, do it with integrity, perform it with candor and wisdom, carry it out with class and decorum, it's the decent thing to do and you did everything my neighbor, friend and hero with the essence of class and character which humbly represents your heroic legacy. Dade County residents rest, relax whatever they choose to do because of your unselfish bravery, unwavering support to valor, grace and courage. Rest in peace. Serenity along with a sense of humor do help lighten the mood from time to time. Being constantly under stress does not serve any use. You were a hero and a cherished Godsend. You were there because you cared. Not scared. We all have some fears, officers cannot exhibit these fears, otherwise how can they perform at an optimal level.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 22, 2015

At times compassion can distort justice. This cannot ever happen. What is supposed to occur is common sense, objectivity, fairness, honesty, dignity and integrity, obviously awareness of the problem at hand which relies on the officers and their impartial judgment. You never showed favoritism, Officer Cook, you never displayed anger, when things may have seemed out of hand, it was your level head, clear conscience and sure resourcefulness. Police officers are not all alike, but their actions have to warrant using composure and this must be applied regularly. Compassion, kindness, care and consideration are all fine traits to acquire, but they too must be balanced equitably and utilized in a very proficient and prudent manner. The brave, the valiant and the courageous must incorporate, decency, dignity and whatever ethical means are called upon to reach a fair conclusion and resolution to the problem or dilemmas at hand. You were fair to all people, Officer Cook, you kept your poise and powers of persuasion together as one unit. You kept persevering in all your actions, May 16, 1979, was no different, you went to a scene, a dispute of domestic consequences and you attempted to rationally and calmly convince a troubled young man to surrender. Your swiftness to respond, your boldness to honor your commitment to assist your colleagues and those civilians in trouble sent a message to all citizens of Dade County that heinousness and evil will not ever be tolerated. You were a treasured soul, a humble public servant serving the right causes and your stellar character will always remain a vital foundation of what we come to expect from our police officers. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your thoughtfulness and sacrifice has enabled all the enhancements to continue blossoming today.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 22, 2015