Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Your future was bright, Officer Cook, six years of stellar character, six years of professionalism, all in all twenty-five all too short years of a rich life, one borne from a very decent and outstanding upbringing. Yes, it was very traumatic to lose you at such a young age with so much more left to fulfill. Your comrades are trying their utmost to pick up where you left off. Your loving and much beloved family members are trying to act and accomplish in their lives as you accentuated with grace, common sense, honor and integrity. It was always for the moment and your unwavering and unselfish acts of heroism and boldness which has offered Dade County citizens the right, the chance to live their lives in peace, liberty and unity. And when men and women of faith distinguish themselves on this very dangerous career path we must remember them, celebrate their lives, salute their efforts and never forget their acts of righteousness. Yours, Officer Cook, will be saluted forever. One inch cost you your life and career, it is said if you give someone something like one inch they will take a mile, something to that affect. Your life and dignity surely meant the world to this world, it means more nearly thirty-six years later, God surely remembers the simple, the wise and the brave as you were one of His many unique and talented unsung heroes. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. That inch has now brought many officers who are wounded in the line of duty a second chance. Sometimes we don't get a do over or second chance. Never take things for granted. I know you did not Officer Cook. You made people laugh and smile, in today's times that can be an arduous task, a tall order to achieve. You also were serious when the moment called for such measures. Something not to be sneezed at nor overlooked.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 6, 2015

In order to grow, in order to learn and to achieve we must first accept criticism lovingly and humbly. People think and comprehend differently, a fact we must accept. It takes a bigger person to accept their mistakes, correct them and move on. We have faults and these are correctable and onward and upward we go to humbly making this a better place to excel. You excelled, Officer Cook, because of your humility to go and patrol our streets with dignity, integrity, courage and valor. Your professional commitment was your bond and for this you are to be commended. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. It surely takes a man of great insight to admit when they falter, you did not, repeat did not falter, your concentration never waned, it was squarely on your precisely difficult tasks at hand.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 6, 2015

Badge #1664 which your wore proudly and honestly for six years, Officer Cook, was the sign that you were a much beloved and respected member of your department. Your self-discipline, your resolve to accomplish was always at an optimal ceiling. Never less than a one-hundred percent total effort. Your comrades admired you, they cherished the time and opportunities to work along side of you, for we see it strengthened their resolve and character knowing who you were and what it took to tackle the demands of a mentally and physically taxing and challenging position. Some give all, some give a little, you my neighbor, friend and hero gave the ultimate in order to keep the bonds of peace, unity and goodwill connected properly and flowing one way. Upstream and looking to accentuate the positive. God takes His heroes and heroines and keeps them safe and sound. He distributes some of their bravery, courage and valor back down here on earth to those who carry on your watch. There is no time for games. The plan is simple, to lookout for evil and try to root it out before it threatens to tear apart our freedoms and prosperity. All things that you humbly excelled in doing for a just cause. Rest in peace. Officers who lay their lives down is serious just as the officer who strays from the proper path and the special mission of which they were handpicked to do, to serve and to protect. The chain cannot be broken, the bonds must stay firm, the concentration can't be lacking, focus must stay affixed.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 5, 2015

Police officers work hard enough to keep the channels of goodwill, peace and unity flowing freely in their communities. Guilt or innocence is not decided by police officers, that is up to the various courts of law to distinguish between guilty and innocent especially when one is judged by their peers. Since you were an upbeat and positive individual, Officer Cook, you never let anything hinder your judgment, cloud your thinking, stand in the way of you honorably and professionally performing your basic public service duties. If officers allow things to enter into their work ethics, somehow things can and sometimes will go terribly wrong. Getting sidetracked is not what police officers need when they go out on the streets to patrol and to safeguard the citizens. You were the kind of person who took to heart the feelings of people and you made certain they were treated in a careful and cautious manner. Your wisdom, Officer Cook, your maturity beyond your years was the basis for a solid career. That was the path you worked quite hard to achieve. The violence that took your young life is what our society has to deal with this day and to attempt to eradicate it once and for all. Your humble achievements are duly remembered as is your legacy and stellar character which is expected from all duly sworn officers. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 5, 2015

God created a world full of many different things to behold. He also created the resources and public servants who have gone out and risked their entire beings for our benefits and freedoms. Knowledge of what we possess is the true wealth. What makes a person happy today instead of thirty years earlier? A person can be overcome by materialistic ideals, does that make one happy? You were born, Officer Cook, in a happy and healthy home. Your parents gave both you and your sister, Nancy, all the right tools to become achievers. Police work is tough, arduous, grueling and mentally and physically taxing. At the end of the day you feel drained. Your lovely wife, Karen, sacrificed as you sacrificed in order for we the people to lead healthy and thriving lives. Your work ethic serves as our inspiration to lead a life and to perform a career as a police officer with the most positive zeal that you firmly maintained for six years of boldness, swiftness to act and solid professional commitment to pride, excellence and honor. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your bravery, courage and valor sparked other officers to emulate your patterns of productivity, of which nothing will be forgotten. You were a gem of a person and as a police officer. Metro-Dade has the best in you, Officer Cook, your memory should be for a blessing!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 4, 2015

Seeing that you appreciated life and all that it humbly delivered to you and your family, Officer Cook, that is why God allowed you to follow a course of righteousness and honesty. Even in your loving family's darkest hours after your untimely passing from this world, because of the way you comported yourself as a humble hero, it has and will forever be the light of your beloved soul that will keep illuminating this planet for all police officers who have now succeeded you. Your valor, dignity, bravery and commitment will always be attached to the uniform and badge you wore each day with pride and resiliency. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Although darkness is part of the grand scheme of things, heroes and heroines who expose themselves to peril do light up the world and communities where they served and protected the good citizens.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 4, 2015

Returning here to one's source means to unify the inner world and the outer world. That is to tell the truth about yourself, to yourself and to others and since there is more than a literary parallel between yourself and the universe, then if you make one that which is within and without yourself, you would make also an external apparent senseless world with its higher holy source. That somehow one soul can bring together upper worlds with this world. There are such moments of unifying in the lives of each creature. They stand holding this world in one hand and the upper worlds in the other. And by simply being in-between the two for even a second, they are one, the soul is one, the world is one. God wants you to serve Him with all your might and spiritual convictions and He wants more than anything to be with you as One. Unity is strength. Belief is faith. Happiness is treasured and very cherished prosperity. The world is broken apart by evil, baseless hatred and wanton bloodshed. Good health and happiness are not illusions, they are what binds us as one and their common source is unity as one, one lighting a fire never to be extinguished. Every now and then somebody comes from among the shadows and is able to pierce what we might think of as an illusion, a mirage so to speak. you came into this world, Officer Cook, nearly sixty-two years ago. For twenty-five all too short years you were a devoted and revered public servant, a Metro-Dade Police Officer. A friendly fellow with a smile that could crack one up, your congeniality and commitment went indeed hand in hand while serving with integrity, honor and dignity. But it was your bravery, valor and courage that planted many seeds of hope, renewal, optimism and justice here in the Dade County community among those who shared your concern, consideration and caring heart. Dade County's legacy rests firmly now within your cherished soul and its valued legacy. Meaning it shines forever and can never be diminished nor extinguished. Forty-two years is a long time from when you first started out as our hero, but surely as you now rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, know you did exactly as you planned all because of Our Creator whom you trusted and placed your safety in His hands daily to guide you through turmoil, tension and wickedness that you battled and gave every ounce to quell until your very last breath. Believe me, Mr. and Mrs. Cook, Karen and Nancy, your son, husband and brother served us all with a renowned sense of pride, made everyone proud to have known him and left this world in better shape for his successors to follow in the trails he paved. You left big shoes to fill, Officer Cook, let us pray and hope they are being filled with the same intensity and dignity you brought to your department and delivered in quality service to the people. The sands of time will tell the story. Let's hope there isn't just dirt in those shoes. Keep watching Officer Cook, we see your soul shining as brightly day and night. your service was instrumental in conquering evil, your intelligence, intellect and intuition spot on, right on the money, meaning you gave everything, you cared, you reached back and made a mark for eternal safekeeping in this society.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 3, 2015

How is it possible for one soul to save the world? This is because one soul can be the whole world. The universe, the world we breath, eat in, prosper and sleep in our comfortable beds at night are more than just a soul, because a world within a soul is more than just an analogue to this world without. For one person to make a full and complete repentance, turning their ways around in a righteous way and making a three-hundred and sixty degree turn all the way to their source, Our Creator. For this it is stated: Will the entire world be forgiven? I'm just not sure we can completely exonerate the heinous actions of a troubled young man who took your life, Officer Cook and nearly those of your loyal and very faithful comrades who were the officers dispatched to that fatal domestic call on May 16, 1979. Officers Keith DiGenova and Robert Edgerton were brave and as courageous as you. Your close friend and colleague, Officer DiGenova still suffers the lingering effects of that fateful day in which you gave your life for Dade County residents. Your tennis partner and close friend had to have been as special a person and as devoted as a police officer as you were. You both made a very special bond as friends and as professional colleagues. You dignity, honor and integrity may have left us when you departed this world so suddenly, but it went to an even more humble place in eternal safekeeping. Your legacy remains as stellar today as it did nearly thirty-six years ago. Dade County never forgets its police heroes and heroines, for without their unselfish and unwavering commitments, no telling the shape of the landscape that has been made better through your boldness to act. And act you did, something you did remarkably well for six years of high energy, resourcefulness and a caring and gentle approach to any problems that were placed before you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. god truly rewards His righteous servants and followers. A humanely humble man lived right in front of us here in North Miami Beach, Florida. Our hero, Officer William C. Cook, Badge#1664.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 3, 2015

It's no secret. We are all created in the eyes of God and how He in His great wisdom determined how we should look. We who are here look to God as Our Director who runs the world and who steers the ship. We praise Him for whatever He gives us. He places boundaries in front, in back and at our sides. We do we commence? Protecting and saving lives is the job of our police officers, the many courageous, valiant and brave personnel who shelter us from wickedness. As one of these many brave and concerned public servants, Officer Cook, you took your role seriously enough to become a very devoted, resourceful and revered officer, who brought together as one the fragmented, you controlled the turmoil and tensions and finally you separated those who needed the talking to. It only made people better and helped deliver the sanity the Dade County community surely yearned for. Enhancement, engagement, all brought about through your articulate manner and calming voice of logic and reason. Thank God for your maturity beyond your years and your intellect that steered your intuition as you patrolled the streets where you were respected and admired. You were and are still as admired today as you were back over forty years ago when you first donned the Metro-Dade Police Department uniform and its badge. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. By saving at least seven lives you more than performed your basic duties. Well done! You were a mighty humble man doing a job you aspired to become from the time you were a youngster.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 2, 2015

One by one we come upon humble public servants of God who themselves humanely and quite humbly serve and protect us from evil. Our freedoms, unity and peace in our communities come as a direct result of their honorable, heroic and noble actions. We share this world with them and when they sacrifice their lives and careers for us to continue to live and to prosper, then how can we be even more grateful? We ask God keeps these brave souls sheltered in His Divine Presence for eternal safekeeping. When you gave your life, Officer Cook, in dignity, bravery and honor, an entire country, community and world offered their heartfelt goodbye. But only until we see you again and then can we ponder why did something so horrible have to happen to such a wonderfully cherished gentleman? Our Creator in His wisdom never tells us. Yet we try to figure out things that only He alone knows the real meaning behind them. God does have many different names. You went by Bill and Billy to your loving family members, many friends and colleagues who you faithfully and loyally served with and that was done in a truly first class manner with honesty, dignity and an enhanced sense of integrity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 2, 2015

Poise, promise and polish. All words that take on a different meaning when applied to the police profession. Poise for instance could represent police officer in search of enhancement. Promise can stand for personable, resourceful, outstanding manager instrumental in seeing and engaging. Polish could mean public official licensed to insure safety and honesty. All of these words in a nutshell spells out something that I believe has a much deeper meaning. One who puts on a uniform for their various occupation has an onus to perform their role as well as can be expected. Those who take an affirmation to serve and to protect must be above reproach, there cannot be any hidden agendas when it comes to the public's well-being. There was plenty to review and to realize how decent a gentleman you were, Officer Cook. When dignity and integrity underline, underscore a man's whole life and career then that is something to speak upon as your career, life ,whatever you set your mind to succeed at spoke volumes. The public trust in your heroic feats and in your actions on May 16, 1979, are exactly what your legacy rests upon. Your stellar character, your concern for others, all the while you placed yourself in harm's way to better enhance the lives of Dade County residents how can we forget. Trouble is we do at moments seemingly overlook your humane nature. For nearly thirty-six years now, we have been saluting and remembering your grace, gallantry and gregarious nature. All you did that day is something you prepared and trained diligently to be and that was as a warmhearted and cherished human being. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 1, 2015

Walking around looking up to a bright blue sky, counting the many different colored balloons floating up to the heavens above. Having dreams and accomplishments left to fulfill. Staying home and watching television, eating and sleeping, all things we sometimes take for granted. A life and professional career where responsibility is challenged is nothing to be laughed at or taken for granted. You took your life and career very seriously, Officer Cook. There was never any daydreaming. The police academy is a solemn venue for the honorable man and woman who wants to make a niche in our society. It is achieved through effort, endurance ups and downs. Sometimes a verbal stare down is needed to get the recruit's attention. Better there than once you are out in the streets on patrol where perhaps one does not always receive a second chance. It's those deserving who advance and become what most departments look for, hard core, dignified public servants of integrity, who are unwavering and unselfish in their sacrifice that they make on our behalf. My neighbor, friend and hero, your boldness, your commitment to serve is what makes you one of the many humble Dade County heroes who yearned for more. God one day will tell us why He yearned to call you home at the tender age of twenty-five. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 1, 2015

People earn their rewards for doing good deeds for and to others. People receive their punishments for committing sins against one another. So to achieve a measure of success each day, all one has to do after they get up is to smile and to be respectful of each of God's creatures including those who rely on us for their daily nourishment. One can think about something so mundane or trivial, it does not matter. Just try to pay attention to details, take it step by step and you'll see you made a difference. A smile. A spark of hope. A ray of sunshine. A glimpse of optimism, all these carried your dreams, goals and aspirations, Officer Cook, of becoming a very resourceful police officer. Dedicated and devoted to mankind, fighting the battles necessary to wipe out wickedness. No human being deserves to suffer or to be humiliated and all you did my neighbor, friend and hero is go into Dade County and its venues and stay true to the virtues of liberty, peace and unity. It thrives because you not only risked your life, but because your integrity and dignity allowed you to care and consider the emotions of others. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 1, 2015

Each world has a logic unique to it. A police officer's daily routines do not always follow a pattern of logic. And knowing or maybe not fully understanding what evil may lurk out in any given community, it is up to each brave and valiant to utilize caution, care and discretion when pursuing and patrolling. Everything sometimes comes in a measured dose and for the benefits of society each brave and dignified man and woman in law enforcement must use proper tact. You accepted your roles, Officer Cook. You were honest. loyal and a man full of genuine integrity. Your superiors knew you could accomplish your tasks at hand without any fanfare, only the most sincerest of ways of calmness coming from your lips. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Seeing that you were a man of reason, it may still boggle our minds as to why so many good people are taken by God before their time?

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 1, 2015

The creation of the world is a metaphor for the emergence of awareness. You first have God and His divine presence. The eyes of Our Creator which are always open to view His creatures at work. The intuition of the mother and father, their hidden light, their brilliance and creative flash. Strengthening our bonds toward one another through love, teaching, discipline and instruction. Nurturing, free flowing and unconditional love along with sympathy. Balance, beauty, compassion taught by our wonderfully devoted parents. Acceptance of God's majesty. Endurance of beautiful and the not so pretty. The foundation and cornerstone of one's home environment, their upbringing. Togetherness, unity, peace and prosperity. Hope and eagerness. Holiness and blessing in our home and the pathway to such contentment. All of your life and career journeys, Officer Cook, have been chronicled for all to see. You legacy rests on these exact same foundations of goodwill characterized by your boldness to both serve and to protect Dade County and its citizens. Of course, you'll never be forgotten for your dignity, integrity and honesty which uplifted the hearts and souls of all mankind. Your bravery, courage and valor only begin to tell part of your life and career story as a duly sworn, devoted, dedicated and determined Metro-Dade Police Officer. You achieved humbly and quite humanely for six years of hard work that was the fulfillment of your aspirations, dreams and goals in life. We should all be so humble in our quests whatever we chose to become. You dared to dream. You dared to conquer. You dared to care. Well, you cared Officer Cook. For your calming way of resolving any dilemmas placed before you, God has taken a true hero, a treasured guardian angel to a higher post where you now and forever patrol those heavenly golden streets with other police officers, heroes and heroines alike who gave their lives in the performance of their official duties to further enhance the communities where they were respected, admired and revered, loved by all including their wonderful families. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. A Godsend whose light forever shines on and brightens our days and sometimes sleepless nights.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 27, 2015

Now these channels through which God and man commute to each other are understood by many analogies. Each of them are one of the infinite number of ways of representing the meeting with Our Creator. The ascendance of souls and yet each is accurate and true. The mysteries of the afterlife where no suffering or harm ever takes place to any of God's children. You were a poised and polished police officer, Officer Cook, you took instruction, you knew your role, recognized the dangers, risks and perils of your profession and yet you accepted the burden upon your brood shoulders of serving and protecting Dade County residents. You exemplified what it takes to distinguish yourself humbly in honor, dignity, integrity and bravery. Fear will always be in the equation somewhere, but when you went out on your patrols, it was replaced with calm, care and compassion along with a measured dose of consideration and cooperation from others. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your kindness and good heart will never be forgotten nor will your accolades. They have and will forever stand the test of time.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 27, 2015

There are holier worlds than this one. Obviously no one can know how many there are. Nor can we be certain that a certain rung of holy awareness is the same for different persons. We only know that most of the time, we are busy here. Below the bottom one and above the top one is the Nameless One. The One without a face, the One always moving and interceding on our behalf. And He travels down to us, as it were, like light poured down through some cascading waterfall. And that we go up to Him through the same network, like salmon swimming upstream to spawn. But that whether like water down a fall or creatures swimming home, by the time each reaches its destination there is not much remaining. Only a thin diluted version of what once started out. So that what we see of Him here is dim. And what He sees of us on high, while very true to what we really are, might not look the way we do to each other. But in any case, ordinary souls like you and I are the link between this world and the higher ones, shuttling back and forth, carrying buckets of light in our heads. You only elevated your whole life and career, Officer Cook, on the examples taught by your loving parents to you regarding honesty in performing good deeds. Police work is just this example. One needs to be physically fit, mentally aware and be able to comprehend under pressure many different situations. Multi-tasking is one of a few basic requirements. Dignity, integrity, knowledge and being able to have to lead other officers giving them instruction and direction in order to make the residents feel at ease and be assured of a peaceful and structured environment. Your valor, grace, calming nature coupled with your bravery and courage fortified the hearts and soul of those who cherished you, admired your principles and work ethics. Believe me, they don't come any more beloved, humble and humane than yourself. You are missed very much by myself and all your family, personal and the department where you worked hard and quite rigorously for six years. You were a blessing to this world and now forevermore a guardian angel protecting God's golden streets. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Thank to you and your sacrifice can we laugh, play, cry, swim with friends and catch all those salmon swimming upstream to fry, bake and then consume them while pausing and reflecting back on your life, career and shining legacy. Sleeping soundly we are one because of your heroic feats.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 26, 2015

And by drawing this primordial man who is also us, we draw the universe. And by envisioning the heavens, we portray our own human consciousness. We might be in another world if not for the many brave and courageous police officers who go out of their way, risking their very lives for our safeties, peace and prosperity. And you were among the most honorable, dignified officers of integrity and grace, Officer Cook. Where might we all be now without your loyalty and faithfulness to your professional duties? And what would be if you maybe didn't answer that chilling domestic call on May 16, 1979? The answer is your courage and conviction took you to an area that you patrolled many other times, you tried your utmost, your best to stay focused in talking a troubled young man into surrendering before other lives were harmed or heaven forbid lost. You fought the battles of evil with all your resources and your actions as stated by your Chief and your comrades was what Officer William C. Cook, their colleagues, friend and Godsend would do do assist his fellowman. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You endeavored by example and passion. This is not something new for us, it is just something to followed, kind of like sage advice.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 26, 2015

The history of humanity might have been the life span of one man. and just this is the idea: That within each of us is the blueprint for the universe. We are it. It is of us. We are all a part of this universe. Notions of big and small are only irrelevant and confusing if don't take the moment to relish, cherish and to appreciate the opportunity to do an action that will better serve us and in reality make this a better place to live and thrive. If we look at all of our heroes and heroines who for eight, ten or however many hours a day they go out in the streets and protect us while risking their lives, we can't imagine what reality goes on, because we are not in their shoes. Of humble and respected public servants like yourself, Officer Cook, we can look in the mirror and say with clarity that you were there in honor, humility, bravery and in valor. You served with the respect, dignity and integrity that only the good servants possess and they go about their business carrying this with them for their entire lives and careers. This is why and was why you achieved, Officer Cook. Your calmness and self-confidence was evident as was your passion and pride. Your legacy rests on the foundations of excellent ethical standards, morals that all police officers need to wear on their person, so when they don the uniform and pin that badge to their chest they know it needs constant thought and a mind set of knowing the responsibilities their position carries. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Police history will show you were of the very best listeners and carried your wisdom and maturity to a higher level than some of your own colleagues.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 25, 2015

Shine it out into space and as our visionaries are beginning to understand. It will ultimately define a perfect circle, which will return undiminished to its Creator. Each one of us at each moment stands between the start and finish, at the center of a circle. In the middle of a sphere of light. To the extent that we are aware, light is to unawareness what holiness is to the profane world. To what you meant to your family, to your police comrades and to society as a whole, Officer Cook, no one could have ever imagined something so tragic would have ended your life and professional police career at such a young age with so many more things left to accomplish. But make no mistake, the light of that torch you lit over forty years ago has never ever be extinguished. Light is sown for the righteous and you my neighbor, friend and hero lived your life based upon the principles of faith, loyalty and honesty. The dignity, integrity and bravery stayed with you your entire watch. Now in heaven you can continue patrolling those golden streets where God makes certain no harm will come your way. Rest in peace. God implanted a very sense of keen vision within your giving spirit.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 25, 2015

Hidden. Imprisoned. Depending on us. It is up to us to make this world a better place to live in. One does not need to look to hard to find dignified men and women, police officers circling the streets to make certain we are safe. To become aware is to get closer to Our Creator. He is the source of everything that we should believe in. With a divine prayer were we created. The light of recognition should not flicker. Many worlds were created, each one failed, until at last God made something a little like Himself. Light in the shape of a person. We are the result of the drive and determination for awareness. To understand this concept, we should endeavor to create more light, more spark within ourselves and in others. You created a spark of goodwill, Officer Cook, now all these years after your untimely passing, that flame has still stayed lit. Your unselfish devotion and bravery under fire still resides in all of those who worked with you and were close to you, those who respected and admired your work ethic and talents and you had many. I think your sincerity and humbleness, along with your invaluable sense of humility will stay with all who cherished you, your legacy is all a part of what it means to live and to act as a hero, you certainly validated that point and forevermore on May 16, 1979. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. From the heavens above shine on for a job well done! From a light came a wonderfully kind and uplifting spirit in yourself, Officer William C. Cook. I'm proud you were my neighbor and friend even though we never met. Friends like yourself do not come around everyday. Heroes certainly don't come any humbler or more humane than yourself.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 24, 2015

A light that if it fell into the hands of the wicked could return creation itself back to primordial chaos. A light that had to be hidden away. And God made a separation. A light that was set aside for the righteous. This light whose brilliance begins creation. Light is the genesis of existence and this existence hides the light. The mystery of creation and all its work, those who comprehend will understand. The light of your precious soul, Officer Cook, stills shines quite brightly and all because of your honesty, dignity, integrity and a renowned sense of commitment, grace, calmness and valor. Our heroes and heroines of the law enforcement profession do deserve our salutes for risking their lives in order for the rest of society to live, prosper, thrive and to aspire to reach loftier goals. All the things your loving and giving parents preached to you and your sister, Nancy. Lessons that stayed with you both all of your lives and careers that you chose to pursue. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your courage helped keep the flames of hope and optimism burning ever so brilliantly today as it did when you started in 1973 as a Metro-Dade Police Officer. District Two truly had one of its finest officers patrolling its venues where peace, unity and freedom can stay anchored securely where it belongs today and forever.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 24, 2015

Humbleness and humility are tied together and as long as we have police officers who operate and function under this mantra, the citizens have no fears. It's when an officer strays from the ranks and keeps his or her own agenda separate from their department, then this is where things can go wrong so quickly. You were the consummate professional, Officer Cook. And it was your unwavering commitment and dignity to proudly serve and protect that made you a successful officer. You still had more to offer this world, at least your family, colleagues and friends knew you were the nicest and most sincerest person they came to admire. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your calming nature helped to alleviate much of the torment, turmoil and tension that existed back then in Dade County. Thanks so much for caring.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 23, 2015

It is not the critic who counts: the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again; who knows great enthusiasms; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement. And who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. Dare greatly. Well you dreamed, Officer Cook. You aspired. You had goals and you were a confidentially inspirational gentleman. Your police work spoke volume son a humble scale. It was a matter of putting that puzzle together in a reasonable and dignified manner. All the cogs on your wheels were running in unison. This is one of a police officer's main objectives and that is to maintain the peace, liberty and unity in a community they cherish and are given the awesome task of serving and protecting. Your service my neighbor, friend and hero was one of grace, gallantry, crystal clear vision associated with your bravery and valor all supported by the pillars and cornerstones of wisdom, calmness, honor and integrity. Rest in peace. If you don't succeed at first, you must keeping trying, for we know this is the officer's motto in waging war against wickedness. One day this will be stamped out. Let us pray and hope that springs eternal.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 23, 2015

Light is the metaphor for human awareness. Shining just between matter and energy. Being between space and time. Something which is not a thing. Like fishes in the water, we do not know the light is there. For if every bit of it were gone, there would be more darkness. There would be spiritual oblivion. If it were not for You, O Lord, we would be blind. In Your light do we see light. In your shining soul, Officer Cook, do we see the light. Maybe we have not taken our lives and careers as seriously as you did. The light was always on in your home, as this drove you to lead and to live a life of contentment, good health and peace. All this was steered by humility, honesty, dignity and integrity. The light of your diligence, devotion, desire, dedication and determination achieved through bravery, courage and valor are what humble legacies are made of. They all start in one's home and through the solid foundation's of one's upbringing from their loving parents. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The light you first lit over forty years ago, Officer Cook, that started your career has not and will not ever be extinguished. No hero or heroine who gives their life for a purpose shall have this snuffed out, as you live on spiritually in the hearts and souls of your dear and beloved family members.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 23, 2015