Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Police officers have to act in many different fashions. First and foremost, they must be honest. They must be dignified and carry within their uniforms and badges they wear with this honor, a stellar integrity. They patrol and see a lot of unique circumstances on a daily basis, something you saw, Officer Cook, as you patrolled Dade County streets keeping residents safe and sound as you were keeping the calm, the freedom that is afforded all people and their unity intact. When people suffer, others suffer while witnessing their plight. You were comfortable assisting others, this was your passion and your compassion coming to the forefront. This attribute of displaying loving kindness endeared you my neighbor, friend and hero to all, as did your bravery, courage and valor which was as superb as your quality of character. Rest in peace. Helping people help themselves was your way of leading and in directing other comrades. Your maturity and wisdom, along with so many great traits led to success. We all wanted that to continue today. You are looking down and lighting up those pathways to accomplishment.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2015

Self esteem and self-image would seem to run contradictory to one another. One is regarding how others view you. The other is how you conduct your personal and professional affairs. I'm sure when you first went out on patrol, Officer Cook, you were observed, trained and supervised by what the police calls a Field Training Officer or FTO. You must have had some great men and women who witnessed not only a humbly loyal and a most faithful officer, but the standard by which all officers are judged and are expected to not only act but to perform up to a certain level that was someone Dade County and its citizens could respect and come to admire. To be able to acquire the wisdom, scope of knowledge and the inherent leadership skills not seen in every officer, you my neighbor, friend and hero must have stood head and shoulders above the rest. To become the best you must first crawl before you can begin to take giant steps. The attribute of dynamic leadership is not easy to achieve. It takes great persistence, great sacrifice both from the physical and the mental aspect. You have to concentrate on the jobs, the tasks at hand. To be willing to block out certain negativity, you must plan ahead, have a "gameplan" in place before delving into resolving any problem or matters which needed closure. You kept your cool. You were a reliable and most resourceful individual whose dignity, honor, integrity and intelligence kept you a step of the crowd. You kept your sanity as you kept the peace and liberty, you delegated authority when it called for it. A truly heroic man of common sense that has enhanced the community where you have been remembered by all. Rest in peace. Achievements, accomplishments don't grow on trees, they must be planted when one is going through their formative years. Your stellar character and legacy have been planted long before you gave your life and career in dignity to further the lives of those you took an affirmation to serve and protect. You are one of the many humble angels whose beautiful souls keep shining the light over the darkness and the despair of wickedness. The rays of hope and optimism abound like brilliantly polished diamonds of which you were, Officer Cook. A gem of a gentleman. A most treasured servant who always gave one-hundred percent full effort over and beyond the calls of duty. Your image and esteem, Officer Cook, were always out on those sometimes mean and tough streets for all to witness. Badge#1664 spoke volumes of humility and of a calming influence. The uniform was worn with pride and honor, commitment not often seen from others. Better to be seen then heard is a phrase not only applicable to the law enforcement profession, it is for all walks of life and in one's career, its dreams, aspirations and goals.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 21, 2015

A person's travels may take them down whatever road they choose to go down. We must remember to keep in mind that perseverance and diligence must go with them. The first day a police officer takes to the streets they take with them on their patrol honesty, integrity and dignity. You took with you, Officer Cook, all the first rate lessons you valued, cherished and learned from your two loving and caring parents. After all, if not for our parents, nothing would be possible as well as plausible. Grace under pressure, valor that validates your commitment to excellence is the source of pride which makes our loving families proud of their heroes and heroines who give their all in bravery, courage and fortitude. You took all these up to heaven and now God is watching over you. Rest in peace my neighbor,friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 21, 2015

Since police officers must always try to have peace of mind and remain optimistic that any and all problems can and will be solved, you can only imagine the endless possibilities when you go out on your daily patrol serving and policing the public interest. Officer Cook, you displayed the vim, vigor and vitality, along with the inherent dignity, integrity and honor to carry out all your professional assignments. We don't know how very much you meant to this community and to this society in general. Twenty-five years of faithful and fruitful fulfillment and for six of those years, you were the epitome of determination, dedication and desire in becoming a top model public servant. Your courage, valor, grace and bravery were the stuff real people are made of. Humility and modesty along with your calming humbleness helped you attain success and enabled your knowledge, wisdom and leadership skills that you obtained through hard work and persistence to help you rise to the top of your department and your heroism is sure to be faithfully remembered. A loving spirit, a thoughtful gentleman literally, cliques are just that. Facts bare out the forwardness of our police heroes and heroines who have given of themselves to further fortify those who admired and respected your endeavors. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2015

Doing acts of kindness for children elevates you. Everything depends on the individual themselves doing any action. The humble person will always look forward to doing acts that will help make this world a better place. Your mannerisms and stellar character, Officer Cook, did indeed enhance this world and for the people you served and protected they came to admire and appreciate your outstanding performance. Money is one means if you utilize it wisely it can make a difference. High levels of loving God and clinging to His statutes and principles can be directly traced to how we use our financial portfolios. It is said we are judged by how we control our anger, how we use our money and in how we control our drinking habits. Doing quality deeds becomes habit forming and for you my neighbor, friend and hero, how you were diligent in your attitude, appearance, honesty, dignity and in integrity is how you will judged and you certainly hold now and forever a special place in God's heavenly abode along those many other brave, fearless, courageous and valiant colleagues who went over and beyond the calls of duty. When a person of faith, reliable and resolve gives their life and career so men. women and children can continue their lives what more can be said? You were a very special and treasured young man whose existence is forevermore cherished until your loving family embraces your giving heart and spirit again. Rest in peace. Keep illuminating this world with your goodness from the soul that lit up this world over forty-two years ago when you first became a Metro-Dade Police Officer. Your two loving great nieces and great nephew would love playing and sharing the many loving moments with you. They play. They pray that their great-uncle, "Bo" is watching them. Officer Cook, you are looking down on everyone and your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, at age ninety-nine, is missing both her beloved husband and darling son more than we could ever imagine. She and all your family members are quite proud of all your accomplishments in embellishing peace, freedom and unity all done in a most humane fashion. Your father, Charles, may he too rest in peace and his beloved son, Officer William C. Cook, are truly being cradled in Our Creator's palms for eternal safekeeping. You worked hard both you and Karen and truly deserved everything you worked for, sharing, caring and giving of yourselves. That is what makes this world function as it does.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2015

Thank God for your courage and passion, Officer Cook. Even more so thank you very much for being there when called upon. Your loving parents raised both you and your sister with ethics, scruples and values that would enable both of you to grow up the right way and to be able to achieve your dreams, aspirations that would become your goals to being happy and healthy individuals. Respecting the badge and uniform that one dons each day for work is something that would humble the most humble person. The truth of the matter is that you were probably a natural for your position, although nothing is promised to you. For we understand it is through sheer perseverance, dedicated study and devoted practice that ends up paying dividends in the end. We know some of the materials that made you a police hero whose name and quality of character has made you legendary. Honesty, dignity and integrity are the right tools to success for any person in any walk of life and in whatever job you choose to do. Police work has its challenges, its obstacles that any brave and courageous officer must steer clear of. So long as the concentration, effort and honor remain with that officer, they will generally be able to function at a higher level, since they must be able to acclimate to any and all conditions. You performed superbly and very humanely for all residents never to be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You will be saluted and praised for your life and career that spoke of heroic actions, compassion and the poise to do what was right.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 19, 2015

Police officers have to have a certain mastery to be able to combat evil when it pervades their venues of patrolling the public domain in which peace, unity and liberty can remain planted firmly among its residents. You were just this type of special person, Officer Cook and you were able to utilize to the fullest all of your character traits, honor, integrity and dignity to assist you in all your professional endeavors. One first has to be loyal and dependable, trustworthy no matter the circumstances that occur at any one moment. Spiritual peace triumphs over physical peace. You have to be humanely confident in your actions and you who are in charge must set the proper tone for all others to follow. Those comrades who worked beside you followed your lead, your direction and your common sense approach to anything that needed solving and fixing up. Your success was just the beginning, graduating from the Miami-Dade Police Academy was the direct result of hard work, studying and putting into practice what you learned. Mastering the science, the physical and mental aspects of police work can challenge the most sophisticated of minds, but it is through sheer desire, dedication and much determination that made you both the person and professional public servant whom Dade County citizens relied upon, revered and respected and I want to say they honored you, Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero for your grit, grace and gallantry, while you served bravery valiantly and with a tenacity that has been sorely missed today. Rest in peace. God surely followed your life and career and never led you astray. A lesson for all officers to comprehend and to follow this day and everyday.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 19, 2015

The ability to harness the power one has is what we know as having the proper strength to carry out one's tasks. Police officers need this and so many other variables to accomplish a job that comes with many dangers and risks and yet has its rewards for its humbly and valiant public servants. And being one of the many brave and honorable servants protecting and policing Dade County, Officer Cook, it was your responsibility to precisely and with a renowned sense of fairness resolve all issues in order for the lines of growth, unity and peace to take shape. You'll never be forgotten for these and the many other qualities that have since enhanced the lives of all mankind. Dade County always salutes and remembers those sworn to uphold justice and you my neighbor, friend and hero gave your life and outstanding career for a noble and just cause. Rest in peace. You were a decent and civil gentleman who expected no less from your comrades who waged this battle over evil with you on a daily basis. Your wisdom, scope of knowledge and inherently excellent leadership skills were the reasons behind your drive and desire to succeed and it was groomed from the time of your birth and all during your quality upbringing. Mr. and Mrs. Cook, you and your daughter, Nancy, can be mighty proud of your beloved son and brother, Officer William C. "Billy" Cook, he made his twenty-five years of life and his police career matter when he was counted on to motivate his other loyal colleagues. Let us pray they are as trustworthy as he was in action and in commitment. Karen, you too can be proud that your husband, may he rest in peace was a faithful warrior who delivered on his word and utilized his tone of voice to calm down those whose emotions may have gotten the best of them at times.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 18, 2015

We live in an age where we seemingly must have things at the moment, there can be no waiting to ponder whether or not we must further indulge ourselves. And in life and in all of its dreams, desires, aspirations and goals we must determine the proper boundaries in which we realize and utilize the character traits that will enable us to be successful. Officer Cook, it's a crying shame you are not here today to physically watch us. Your beautiful soul surely is in God's heavenly abode guiding the pathways of all your beloved family members and in those officers who have since succeeded you watching and protecting Dade County streets and its venues with the same clarity, the same God given talents and skills that you possessed, along with the honesty, integrity and dignity. Physical strength as well as the mental stamina is necessary for self-defense and to keep others for inherent harm. Your role fortified by your grace, gallantry, courageousness and valiant efforts spearheaded the hopes and dreams of all people. These folks and their prosperous lives would not be realized if not for your humbly heroic actions on May 16, 1979. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, you were a completely devout and righteous individual because of how you maintained a proper semblance of balance over your stellar character and the traits needed to carry out the rigors and demands your profession squarely places on each officer's shoulders. Fortunate is the man or woman who has mastered a proper and sensible balance. This explains why both you and Karen were accomplished in your particular professions. Patience, practice and perseverance. Sense, sanity and soothing. Calmness, care, cooperation and thoughtful consideration.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 18, 2015

Police have to deal with all types of individuals who can be as unstable as water. Working on one's character traits is so important in maintaining the honor, dignity and inherent integrity of the streets where they patrol. Officers themselves must act accordingly, honorably and with a high level of dignity and integrity. They must not go astray. Officer Cook, your stellar behavior was never ever called into question. You were able to fulfill all your tasks at hand and to humbly and humanely take pride in the privileges that were part of your professional duties. We live in a world marked by violence, the kind of heinousness that took your life and prematurely curtailed your promising police career after six excellent years of loyal and dependable service to Dade County residents. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, help God keep our bodies of water flowing freely and without interruption. One day peace and calmness will reign down in our society. Stability hinges upon the successful endeavors of our bravest, courageous and most valiant of public servants. You were Officer Cook, a central individual whose boldness has stood out front and center. Liberty City has you to thank for all its improvements, my neighbor, friend and hero. Never flummoxed, never befuddled, never bamboozled only the best efforts of an outstanding and treasured and most beloved human being who served with quality and distinction.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 17, 2015

Unity creates love and love brings forgiveness. You served the residents of Dade County for six loyal and very faithfully fruitful years, Officer Cook. The wounds that were opened because of racial tensions back in your day my neighbor, friend and hero, we want to believe have slowly healed. After all, your integrity, dignity and spirit of honesty was the springboard by which all citizens can now live enhanced lives. All thanks to your cunning performances, boldness, bravery to act professionally and very promptly to quell those problems before they got too far a field. You made people ponder. You made people believe in their ideals and ideas all because of your living dream and aspiration to become a solid Metro-Dade Police Officer. Those who have come to revere you, to admire your principle of values and ethics know your intentions were always well placed. Rest in peace. Legacies of police heroes and heroines begin to take shape while they begin to grow up. Officer Cook, your commitment to pride and excellence always has and always will keep your soul perpetually lit. Forty-two years later enhancements and enlightenment have continued their treks in and around Dade County all because of the gentleman proudly and humbly wearing badge#1664, yourself, Officer William C. Cook. Forgiveness and fairness surely enabled you to keep things on course in allowing peace, unity and liberty to travel down the correct road in the right direction. You loved your job. You relished the challenges. You resolved to calmly and in a matter of fact assist all individuals. Life is not a bed of roses, when you were out on patrol, the scent of goodness permeated the streets like no other.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 17, 2015

You were not a complainer, Officer Cook. You were a doer and follower of a prescribed set of ethics and the discipline necessary to carry out those tasks. Inconveniences are a part of life. Hopefully, when working in the law enforcement profession they don't crop up too many times. Officers have to work different shifts, they have to keep the peace, seeing that calmness prevails in the community. Your focus, Officer Cook, was first to endeavor to become the best person and police officer that you could be. Then to accomplish this with all the right byproducts of your profession, meaning to be honest, carry a central core of dignity and integrity around you. Obviously, your commitment to quality service, to serving those with excellence goes beyond saying. Your resolve and swiftness to act accordingly on May 16, 1979, was what we the people and those comrades who served with you, who understood what the value of maturity, wisdom and leadership skills are all about. A fraternity of sisters and brothers underscored this when they pay homage to your name and the stellar and glowing legacy you left for those of us to carry on with. The torch you lit in 1973, still stays lit today because of your humility and humbleness befitting both your life and the career you solemnly worked hard to succeed at and believe me you achieved. Your twenty-five tears although too short, were well spent, well lived and well regarded among your peers from around the world and this great nation. Enhancement, enlightenment and embellishment are what we have come to expect from our many police heroes and heroines. God has assembled a brave, courageous and valiant group of giving and caring people. You all deserve the salutes and accolades that have come your way. Well done! Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. God takes those finest and most humble servants and makes sure the loyalty they displayed here is accentuated in the tasks you now work at in patrolling His golden streets where no harm will ever come your way. The pain and suffering your family's have endured over your losses will one day be healed. The process is slow. One day it will finally be realized. God takes care over all His flock of faithful and trustworthy servants both public and in the private sector.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 16, 2015

As a devout and loving person, Officer Cook, it is and was easy to understand why you went out of your way many times over to assist others. Your love of God, your unwavering commitment to help your fellow friend or comrade out only embellishes the reasons as to why we have many honorable, dignified men and women of stellar character and solid integrity. You championed the causes of good versus evil and you used this as a way to challenge other colleagues to do the same. Your sense of fairness, your evolving wisdom coupled with your bravery, conviction, courage and valor were all the components of a well lived life and an outstandingly humble police career. Not too many can say this. A giving person with a heart made of gold, a treasured gentleman who believed in protecting and in maintaining the rights of every Dade County citizen, as you firmly shared in the hopes and dreams of all mankind. Your spirit hovers above us at each moment observing all the coming and going of those who came to depend on your God given talents, skills and abilities. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Faith does heal wounds, your trust, Officer Cook and that of your family's is probably the main reason as to why your loving mother, Mrs. Julia Cook is ninety-nine years old. I will keep you Mrs. Cook in my family's thoughts and prayers. Stay well. Your beloved and darling son, Officer William C. "Billy" Cook, will never be forgotten. He lived his life based on good character, faith, morals and principles of doing unto others what he would have done for them. His police career was exemplary and that was solely by virtue of his terrifically solid upbringing by two loving and scrupulous parents. Luck is a part of any person, it takes a certain mindset and frame of mind to skillfully maintain oneself at all times.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 16, 2015

In any given job or profession, being reluctant is not always a good thing. Sometimes one must carry their load, in your career, Officer Cook, I can't say with clarity if you always had to shoulder another officer's load. Though, you probably did more times than not. That was the type of person, the kind of law enforcement professional who accepts the onus, the burden, the yoke of responsibility upon themselves. One reason why Chief Bowlin had one of the many talented and excellent officers serving and protecting in his district. All of your endeavor was placed in proper order and this allowed you the ability to maintain a dignified perspective over your assigned area and its residents. Sometimes we tend to overburden and tackle too many things not focusing on those priorities that are more central to those things that need to be done at once. Stress and anxiety are two of any officer's challenges besides the day to day rigors of police work. My neighbor, friend and hero, you were able to categorize your day and its priorities, as you coolly and soundly took care of your business at home and while out on patrol keeping law and order, peace and unity functioning on an even keel. You'll always be fondly saluted and remembered as a hero whose boldness and unwavering commitment to pride and excellence will stand as the cornerstone of your stellar character and legacy. Rest in peace. Resolve and diligence triumph over fear and carelessness. You never had these last two words in your vocabulary, Officer Cook. Just proficient and professional at all times, while maintaining the dignity of the streets and its citizens.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 15, 2015

Identifying with a cause or project influences a person to make a greater effort. Police officers assignments sometimes vary from day to day. I would imagine that once an officer accrues seniority on the job, they can decide where they may work, not always, sometimes. If an officer knows they will be serving and patrolling a certain location then they can familiarize themselves with not only the places in and around the area, but those residents who live and work there as well. I don't know how many years of your six years, Officer Cook, you worked in and around the Liberty City area of Dade County, but the residents there came to appreciate your passion, honor, integrity and dignity. You calmly and fruitfully gained their loyalty, faith and trust and were about to serve them with all your might. Your talents, skills and energy were always channeled in the right places and on May 16, 1979, you woke up early, probably shared a cup of coffee with your beloved Karen, said goodbye and off you went to perform a job, more of a profession and the challenges associated with your job, a job you enjoyed doing, a career well done, a kindred spirit for having the fortitude, the bravery, the valor and the courage to battle evil right until your last breath. You were an excellent police officer, Officer Cook, even more so a humble gentleman and a God given angel, a hero sent here to do what was right and you exceeded where others may not have. Now your loving spirit continues its ascent to God's golden streets in grace and in gallantry. Continue watching over those brave hearts and souls who keep up the battles over wickedness as you so faithfully did. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 15, 2015

Engaging, enlightening and endearing, words that anyone who lives and works to support their families lives by this creed. You were an energetic and a most resourceful police officer, Officer Cook, as you patrolled the Dade County community where you were respected and revered, but it was not only your objectivity but your passion with a focused level of honor, dignity and integrity that was so dear to not only yourself, but to the citizens that you conversed with as you protected their peace, liberty and unity. Educating those who rely on the finest men and women to serve and to protect our common decencies is very essential to being able to handle any jobs that are placed your way. Your loyalty and guidance is surely missed today as much as your smiling face and humbly engaging personality. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Bravery, courage and valor are the tools of education and enlightenment. Embellished properly they can be utilized as a sure fire way to make the lives of all people and the officers themselves a little safer.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 15, 2015

Asking forgiveness from anybody takes a mighty dose of courage and patience from any individual. Officer Cook, as loyal, faithful and as devout as you were, you practiced what you preached. At home or out on patrol, you acted with the same level of reason and wisdom. Other officers were shown the ropes by yourself and learned the same lessons that took you to another level. If you were given more years, I'm sure you would have risen through the ranks, your leadership skills, humbly honed were just the beginning. Patience and perseverance translate into devotion and diligence when applied with honesty, integrity and dignity. You had the right frame of mind at all times when you needed to go out on patrol bravely, courageously and valiantly serving and protecting the enhancements of all Dade County citizens. You were endowed with so many God given abilities which are sorely missed by colleagues from other police communities. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Lessons that could endear and embellish all that you learned while training at the Miami-Dade Police Academy.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 14, 2015

Seeing that you treasured and cherished your life, Officer Cook, it never came as a surprise that many colleagues from around this country paid you respects and to your family that Saturday afternoon at St. Mary's Cathedral at your Inspector's Funeral on May 19, 1979. Difficult decisions that people have to make in life is supposed to make coping a little easier. I don't know if things ever really do get easier for families. Their loves ones bravery, courage and valor along with their comrades whom they go to battle with over evil each day sure are a great starting point for where these families can turn to for emotional support. All God's creations, including all law enforcement personnel strengthen this bond between all people. They endeavor to ties the knots of peace, security and unity as one simple knot. When the laces become untied we must make an attempt to quickly and with great resolve keep things tied as perfectly together as we can. One final redemption is what we all look forward to, as your loving family looks to reunite with your beautiful soul, Officer Cook, it still shines brightly in honor, dignity and with a stellar integrity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your commitment to pride and excellence is the solid foundation by which your heroic legacy rests firmly today as it did for your twenty-five years of passion and compassion, these two elements forever tied together as one. Time marches on. A good name lasts forever, it can never be tarnished nor blemished. Your professional standards are the foundations by which other officers should comport themselves. We should take a moment and look at ourselves in that proverbial mirror.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 14, 2015

That passionately calm and soothing voice reflected the tone by which all officers should communicate with anyone. You gave anyone who was willing to lend an ear merit and yet were one to give the benefit of doubt, Officer Cook. Nowadays, people just seem to speak what is on their mind and not look to listen to others for sound and sage advice. In any line of work, in any chosen endeavor, in any profession one chooses to pursue, good listening skills are very important and so essential to the tasks at hand. An open-minded individual such as yourself listens to all information that is gathered, lets people have their turn to talk and then calmly and proficiently begins to cultivate any decisions that may play a part in resolving any and all conflicts. You were the best and furthermore, honest, dignified and decisive in making these decisions. Your courage, wisdom and commitment were a larger part in the scheme of how you conducted your daily personal and professional affairs. You gave so we can live on, as you my neighbor, friend and hero live on in the hearts and thoughts of all family and comrades who respected your solid work ethic which was one built on character and truth. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 13, 2015

You were born, Officer Cook, to such lovely and darling parents. You grew up in North Miami Beach, Florida where you and your sister, Nancy made friends. You had neighbors, school mates, people from all over gravitated toward you because of the kind of person you were. Honesty, dignity and a stellar integrity was ingrained in you at an early age. The police career with the Metro-Dade Police Department that you embarked upon stood as living proof that was a touch of perseverance and hard work, dreams and goals can come to fruition. It had to be a humble pleasure for other colleagues to work side by side with you during some of your tensest battles. The residents who came to know, admire and respect you knew both the sincerity and generosity that elevated you above others. This had to make your family and comrades quite happy. If only the happiness was still taking place here in 2015. Thirty-six years are fast approaching, the day you laid down your life for all Dade County and a very grateful, yet sad police nation. Enrichment, enhancement and embellishment are all the living symbols of both your treasured character and cherished soul and heroic legacy which will be forever saluted and fondly remembered. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Keep smiling down on us, Officer Cook. I believe your widow, Karen, who has been remarried for several years now, lives somewhere possibly in a town or city called, Zumbro Falls, Minnesota. You should live and be well Karen. Your beloved late husband, Officer William C. Cook, was the eternal optimist and truly a loyal and revered gentleman. The badge he wore proudly and the uniform he donned daily meant as much to him, yet he cared immensely for all people. His compassion was right there with any police officer and this why was he was such an excellent leader. Turmoil and strife would not detour him, nor derail his missions in life.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 13, 2015

Carelessness and callousness may travel down the same road, whereas courage and commitment must stay on the road, they cannot go off the road. Being practical and patient is always something any person with any mind with common sense will realize. Evaluating and estimating are two things that all police officers have to do each and every time they patrol the streets of their communities where they were assigned to keep peace, unity and liberty flowing through the proper channels. Since your dignity, honesty and integrity filtered down throughout your humble life and outstanding career of six devoutly loyal years of service, Officer Cook, really all that can be stated is that you should still be here today. Being taken at such a young age when most people just begin to realize their dreams and aspirations, the hope is that the citizens have truly remembered a most remarkable and poignant young man, a police hero to be revered and saluted for generations to come. You were a man, Officer Cook, who embarked on a very special mission and that was to have the grace, gallantry and vision to see things through in order for people to realize and to be able to culture their ideals, dreams, goals and aspirations. Your sacrifice and bravery only enhances what we already knew about you and now God has taken you and your beloved soul to His Kingdom where you now continue that very sacred mission, to protect His streets and to look after those men and women who dared to risk, cared to share and to keep serenity and safety a priority for all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 12, 2015

People respect people when they come forth and admit they made a mistake. Police officers are human beings also and when they make a miscue, hopefully they have the decency and common sense to come forth and admit as such. For your care, kindness, courtesies and consideration, Officer Cook, you were a forthright gentleman, officer and a most trustworthy public servant. If there were men and women who worked under your guidance and leadership, I'm sure if they slipped, made a bad decision, you would have pointed it out to them in a most classy and constructive fashion. To err is human to forgive is divine. All it would have taken on May 16, 1979, is for that troubled young man to surrender, you and your colleagues would have seen to it that he get the much needed assistance. But when you pull the trigger of a weapon and commit an act of not only callousness, but something so nefarious, how can things be alright? You acted bravely, your reacted with resolve and fairness, you conformed to firmness, your commitment as heroic as it was, was outstanding to save your comrades and those civilians from further harm, what more can a grateful Dade County say or offer the appropriate words of consolation to your loving family members at a time of grief and sadness as they mourned your sudden loss? It would have taken the words, "I'll drop the weapon and raise my hands." We know in the heat of battle everything may get lost in the kayos and bedlam. You'll never be forgotten for your sincerity, honor, dignity and integrity, this never will be lost as only your cherished and shining soul will light the darkness that still pervades this society. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Deserting the Army would have been his only crime, once he committed violence against others and police officers things only and sadly escalated. Your loyalty and faithfulness will always be fondly remembered. It takes humility to admit to a mistake, it takes more courage to correct a flaw.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 12, 2015

In life we give the benefit of doubt to most people. In life a person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. You were a kind individual, Officer Cook, you were a devoutly faithful gentleman. You were a loyal and a most resourceful public servant, the likes of whom Dade County has seen through other comrades who have succeeded you. Everyone has their personal traits and characteristics that follow them throughout their life and in whatever pursuits they care to achieve. Accomplishment and endeavor are based on the effort one is willing to put forth. Police recruits who want to become police officers know the arduous tasks they face and the mountains they must climb to become successful. Hard work, a driven desire and a steadfast determination must appear with them as does honesty, dignity and integrity, this must follow them like a shadow. It followed you, Officer Cook and it never took you off the right path. You stayed the course. Your common sense and soothing voice, you one that was commanding, allowed to to calm down those whose emotions may have boiled over. On May 16, 1979, a situation had escalated in Liberty City in Miami, Florida and it was five minutes before you would end your shift with your partner that day, Reserve Officer Scott Lincoln, you heard on your radio call of an officer needing help regarding a domestic dispute, you were a block away and not dispatched and yet the two of you answered this call because it is logical and common sense to help a fellow sister or brother needing backup. God only knows as He plans our lives, helps shape our dreams, passions and aspirations, you went and with alacrity, swiftness and with a humbleness, you helped to diffuse a rather tense situation. You sacrificed your life for the entire Dade County community and its residents to live in peace, unity and in freedom. You lived your life with pride and honor as will as those residents because of your unwavering and unselfish courage, grace, bravery and gallantry. Your legacy stands this day as a testimonial as to how one should act and in how we place our priorities. These are the dictates of how we should conduct ourselves in modern society. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. If perhaps you were able to investigate this troubled young man, maybe the outcome that day would have been different. Unfortunately, we will never know, only you were a hero who saved at least seven lives, those citizens involved and your colleagues who were wounded and nearly killed. There never will be a doubt, you stood humbly tall and acted with quickness and assertiveness never to be witnessed again. Your actions made all who associated with you quite humble. You were a treasured and quite cherished human being whose soul continues ascending and whose brilliance shines forth each and every moment. God bless you and your loving family, comrades and friends from all around the country.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 11, 2015

Plans and thoughts are shared by police officers far and wide, from all different locations. The safety of every citizen, the safety of every police officer depends upon how far they are trained in how to handle each circumstance, dilemma and situation that is assigned to them to handle. Your safety and success, Officer Cook, was determined by your ability to communicate, identify and to be able to interview those who witnessed whether or not they were directly involved in anything. Being able to sort out all relevant information to be able to draw logical conclusions are all part of an officer's job description. You did yours very well my neighbor, friend and hero and it was all because of your demeanor, character and professional personality up and beyond any calls of duty. Your integrity, dignity, honor and bravery all came to the forefront at all times. Those comrades who at some point in their careers were fortunate enough to work alongside of you witnessed the truth keen vision, wisdom, knowledge and leadership skills so needed to resolve any and all problems that might crop up. Your commitment to excellence and boldness to act heroically has never be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 11, 2015

The good folks of Dade County could raise a smile when they saw you patrolling their streets, Officer Cook, with that big smile and calming personality used at just the right moments. And exactly as to why and how all police officers should go about the business of conducting both their personal and professional affairs. Never give up. Never despair. When character and courage, leadership, honor, dignity and integrity all merge together at a crossroads, those citizens know who has their backs looking after their welfare. It was yourself, Officer Cook, a man of action, always looking for an edge to properly resolve any and all sources of conflict and turmoil. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, from what seems to be an almost everyday happening, your maturity, your intellect and keen and divine wisdom could sure be sprinkled throughout our country where we the citizens expect not just bravery, courage and valor, but along with this the most important traits of justice and decency showing when to utilize a police issued weapon when the situation calls for it. I know it is certainly different and was back in your day, you were checked, tested and drilled constantly on basic police rules and fundamentals. I don't know why there seems to be a "Wyatt Earp" mentality within quite a few police communities. Something needs to be done rather quickly before kayos and anarchy rein on the streets where peace and serenity should rule. That is why you must keep your soul shining down forever on these lands as great as they may be.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 10, 2015