Metro-Dade Police Department, Florida
End of Watch Wednesday, May 16, 1979
Reflections for Police Officer William Coleman Cook
One of the reasons people stop learning is that they become less and less willing to risk failure. Failure is a word, a term that can mean something different depending on the individual. You can face it like a man or dodge it like a coward. But to navigate among life's adventures one must be willing to face it head on. Police officers face this daily and usually they come out in a more advantageous position. You looked this in your eye, Officer Cook and for the most of your career you were successful. I would look at May 16, 1979, in which your comrades and yourself faced off with a beserk young man, bent solely on evil. You heroically saved seven lives, while placing yours on the line and the citizens of Dade County will never ever forget you. Your trusting nature, your bravery and courage channeled by your passions to be the best and the care, concern and compassion you exhibited even in the heat of the moment all stand for and do represent your legacy. One inch cost you your life, but that one inch has bolstered miles of new and better places for those you served and protected to thrive and prosper. There will never be a more dignified and honorable police officer such as yourself, Officer William C. Cook. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Badge#1664 shined with honor when you proudly and humbly wore it on your uniform.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 30, 2014
One change leaves the door open for the introduction of others. Each day we should work on moderation. You will notice that each day things may seem a little easier to adapt to. Change really gives birth to change. Open one door at a time and you'll see what a major difference it will make. You went through change, Officer Cook, you worked with various partners, sharing and caring, conversing over ideas that would make Dade County a little more safer and secure. Your police work stood for honesty, dignity, integrity and humanity. Your heroic status stands forever among the brave and valiant men and women unafraid to lay down their lives to allow the movement of social justice and equality among all people. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, your vivid imagination, your intellectual insight steered citizens down the right path and hopefully there won't be too many hard curves to maneuver through. A life and career ended way too soon, but the doors to honesty, dignity and integrity will continue to stay open because of you, Officer Cook. A real Godsend.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 29, 2014
Does one really think it is weakness that yields to temptation? Most people know there are terrible temptations which it requires strength, strength, strength and courage to yield to. One needs to be strong and try not to give in to temptation. A master of controlling temptations, one needs the physical resources of strength, conviction, honesty and so much more not to give in to corruption, bribery, anything that will demean their character. Police officers have to maintain unity, peace and freedom and be over and beyond reproach and stay the course. Our new temptation must be to work toward the freedom that comes with controlling our destinies. Facing the truth is not for the faint-hearted, the weak. We need to recognize our limits, work on what we can control. You were this very special kind of police officer, Officer Cook. A man of action, a gentleman of compassion, who channeled your passion to make the very best of your opportunities. Your strong heart, the soothing and voice of calm that came out of your lips helped immensely to curb domestic disputes and any other dilemmas that may have cropped up from time to time. And you were a concerned and serene humanitarian who truly made a huge difference in how Dade County, its streets and residents were able to co-exist together. Thank you very much for the physical and spiritual strength you exhibited, you were one truly exemplary person who now its among God's treasured and golden angels. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You saw a situation and moved quickly to resolve it without hesitance.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 29, 2014
Nowadays, people know the price of everything and the value of nothing. What are our core values? What matters most to us? Who do we love and care about? How do we show our caring and indicate our values? Phrases like "get to the point" and "cut to the chase" are for those who need life reduced into shorthand. What if suddenly keepsakes vanished, family members were never heard from again? With your family, Officer Cook, you recognized your values and kept working on your excellent work habits with honor, dignity and integrity in order to be able to display the diligent effort needed to police Dade County streets and its residents. You were an officer on a mission who stayed on the point and cut to the chase each time out including May 16, 1979, where you calming nature was called into action with alacrity and the boldness common to all brave men and women of law enforcement. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Today, sadly the core values of this country seem to be eschewed. Where then do we turn to for advice? Please keep looking down and watching us, Officer Cook, to make clear we navigate every turn, nook and cranny.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 28, 2014
Our parents instilled in us a mutual admiration and respect for others. What we should strive to accomplish is focusing on something we love to achieve, try and work as hard as we can to polish our skills at it. It's alright to follow one's passions and pursuits, in the United States of America, this is what dreams are made of. Your parents nurtured you, Officer Cook and your sister, Nancy to strike out and follow your passions to where your hearts would lead them. You loved being a police officer, serving, protecting because you succeeded the proper and moral way, where others may have failed. It's those brave and valiant men and women who have the necessary compunctions to maintain vigilance and be able to co-exist with other comrades as the citizens come to ask nothing more from their angels here in this world. Your heroism shall be forever saluted as you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 28, 2014
I find all this money a considerable burden. Money maybe the tangible proof of our worthiness. People are enamored by dollar signs at least some. Police officers sometimes do not look past this and give in to temptation. It can be very debilitating causing them a considerable problem in their service and protection of the citizens who they willingly took an affirmation on behalf. Officer Cook, you lived your life heroically, performed an arduous profession, knew how much you needed to be able to live. You and your beloved wife, Karen both worked demanding positions and lived in a very humble abode. The honor brought about through your upbringing was the right tool to help you through good and bad, money never blinded nor blindsided your preoccupation with serving the good people of Dade County, where you'll always be fondly remembered. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 27, 2014
A man who has made a big splash may be a man who has gone overboard. Most of us want to leave an impression-the bigger, the better. Some fantasize regarding proving themselves in public. We have to be modest and privately reserved and content. Police officers with all they have to deal with daily need to made huge differences in the communities where they serve and protect under stress with honor, dignity and integrity. You were this kind of police officer, Officer Cook, basking in the spotlight was not your primary motivation and you and Karen enjoyed your private moments in happiness, peace and in contentment. The confirmation of your abilities took place on Saturday, May 19, 1979, as the bagpipes wailed, the helicopters hovered overhead and a gun salute that followed, as thousands attended your Inspector's Funeral at the Cathedral of Saint Mary's and your life and career was eulogized there and at Dade Memorial Park North where you were laid to rest. A truly great man, a giant and yet humble gentleman who provided nothing less than quality service with a compassion and the passion to see things through in order for freedom, peace and unity to be able to branch out as one entity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, your eternal happiness watching over other officers will hopefully steer them free from harm. You never basked in the spotlight, you did lay your life and career down on a hot asphalt pavement in Liberty City, Miami, Florida. God will see that your blood was not spilled in vain. It wasn't and He will continue carrying your family and comrades through both the good and bad times.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 27, 2014
The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it. We all are meddlers in some way, shape or form. We might not have faith in our colleagues to get the job done right the first time out. It is easy to blame the right guy when the inevitable crisis occurs. A good leader leads by example, knows when and where to draw the line. Places their trust in those they direct. Well, I can tell you, Officer Cook, as I have reflected many times, that your Division Chief of District Two, Chief Dale P. Bowlin, knew you had the right character, class, honor, etc. to lead other officers. They probably should have allowed you to partner with Officers Keith DiGenova, Robert Edgerton, Scott Lincoln and your friend and classmate from Norland High School, Chief Geoffrey Jacobs for your entire career. Tragically cut short because of one's man's obsession with evil. But a life and career still carved out with all the increments of morals, scruples, honesty, ingenuity, wisdom and maturity that allowed you to both serve and protect Dade County residents with panache and to help bond together freedom, peace and unity. We will be grateful and most appreciative for the pleasure and respect you solemnly delivered to all. If Chief Jacobs stayed with the Metro-Dade Police Department, the two of you would have made a remarkable difference along with your other comrades policing the rampant wickedness right off those same areas where others take aim to eradicate this disease. It also takes being humble, reserved and refraining when necessary. The best results are usually achieved when everyone is on the same page. Your department never had to worry whether Officer William C. Cook, Badge#1664 was on another page wondering or wandering away from any situation that may have arisen. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 26, 2014
You see things; and say why? But I dream things that never were; and I say why not? Indeed, why not? Are we saddled really with the status quo? Can we change our situations, our dilemmas? Are we talented enough, smart enough, to walk away, start our own business, follow our passions? Can we be brave and courageous to passionately pursue our dreams and aspirations? Sometimes our dreams can serve as our wake-up call. You didn't settle for being second best, Officer Cook, the "brass ring," that you vigorously pursued, police work was probably in your blood as you were growing up. If we begin to build the individual who befits the role of an honest and dignified police officer, chances are we are humbly speaking about you. All because you exemplified what we come to expect from our fine brave and valiant men and women, who dreamed and achieved those same aspirations. Your heroic mannerism won't be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. We should not be fearful of failure, all whoever live experience this at least a few times during their lives. Your career and life was hallmarked with success, to be embellished forever.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 26, 2014
Unhappiness is best defined as the difference between our talents and our expectations. One of the highest compliments you can receive is you are a real renaissance man. Can everyone do everything well? People who are devoted to their jobs, police officers try to accomplish lots of things, they are given various assignments and are expected to perform at an optimal level and exhibit, honor, dignity and integrity. Hard for most of us to imagine, yet some of us can act this way. It is not overly impossible to achieve, you need a little fortune, hard work, endurance and quite a lot of perseverance. Officer Cook, you were very thankful for your opportunities to serve citizens in Dade County, you recognized your strengths and worked all seasons to secure security, peace and unity. You were the finest of Metro-Dade Police Department's officers, a true humble hero, most beloved by all, you knew your qualities would carry you to the epitome of success. Your colleagues and the civilians have come to respect and remember your daring act of bravery flanked by the courage and valor of May 16, 1979. You were a very cerebral gentleman, whose sense of humor brightened the moment. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 25, 2014
It is an equal failing to trust everybody and to trust nobody. The question can be logically brought up, why do we not trust people? Is it perhaps because someone may have lead us down the wrong path? Obviously it's vital to establish the bonds of intimacy so that trust is earned and not betrayed. We have to be cautious and yet go about our daily professional affairs. Officer Cook, you were a very trusting person, a talented and determined officer who attended to all of his affairs. The efforts you brought to Dade County residents will only be remembered with the same devotion, honesty and integrity forevermore. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You forged the bonds of goodwill and inspiration, so peace and security can continue traveling down their righteous pathways.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 25, 2014
The healthy man does not torture others-generally it is the tortured who turn into torturers. If one feels good about themselves, their work, their life, then there is no need to display anger or resentment. I'm sure Officer Cook, you were the kind of individual who absorbed your entire self into whatever pursuit you were enabling to achieve. But above all, you were a very fair and honest person. This is what we come to expect from our police officers who too have needs and rights, who risk their lives for us to live and prosper. Whenever someone partnered with you, Officer Cook, we can be certain you made sure they employed the same morals and code of conduct as you did. For those colleagues who worked with you it had to be a very compelling and quite a humble experience. A person's demeanor can set the tone for your entire watch if you channel your zeal properly. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, watch over the tormented, the depressed and lead those who carry on with your watch to to able to deal both gracefully and graciously as you so faithfully and steadfastly proved.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 24, 2014
Nothing recedes like success. When one is constantly trying to prove themselves success can be fleeting. Those who worked with you, Officer Cook, knew you to be not only a likable fellow, a very reliable and dependable police officer, but a sincere and accomplished individual. This was because you were driven to be earnest, honest, dignified and a calming voice of logic and reason. If only some of today's officers could employ the same values as you did, there is no telling our citizens and streets might just be more served and protected than on the past. Values and an excellent upbringing never eluded nor evaded your pathways to successes in both your life and in your professional law enforcement career opportunities. Your remained focused and were a model of both consistency and as a humanitarian to all Dade County. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. A hero's life consists of action and thought and you excelled, Officer Cook, in many places where others have not. You brought a uniquely humble passion to your job each and everyday. The citizens knew you always had their best interests in your front and rear view mirrors.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 24, 2014
A person's silence is a wonderful thing to listen to. People who work hard, sometimes going over and beyond what is required and expected of them, can be demanding, commanding and quite literally bossy. Sometimes in the heat of the battle or work space tempers flare, they get eschewed. We tend to create our own soundtracks, not understanding that silence may very well be golden. So we step back, go within, where it is more quieter, ignoring the static around us that we may have created. Being taciturn does not mean to be inactive, on the contrary, it may define us as being in thought quite deeply and our inner journeys may take a different direction and become more prosperous. While your life and career travels, Officer Cook, I think one can safely state they were smooth with no static on the other end. You said your peace when needed, addressed your comrades when spoken to. Exhibited outstanding leadership abilities by being fiercely tuned in to the events of the moment. All this was accomplished correctly, morally and within all of your department and division's guidelines. More of today's officers should strive to exhibit, honesty, dignity and integrity, they'll find the proper balance as you solemnly did and it never steered you off course. In your personal life you were a humble, a modest person, so too as a dedicated, devoted, determined and decorated police officer you maintained this same humility so essential in keeping your watch over the citizens centered solely and squarely upon them. Since your untimely passing my neighbor, friend and hero, the North Miami Beach, Florida area where you grew up and lived has experienced too many tragedies where people innocently were killed, including two police officers just trying to serve and protect our common interests. When will it end? Where do we draw the line? I hope Mrs. Cook you are doing well out in San Diego, California. I will always keep you in my thoughts, prayers and in my heart. Your son, Officer William C. "Billy" Cook was a real hero and a true "mentsch." Meaning he was a man of vision, a free spirit, a gentleman of stellar character who you and his father, Charles, may he too rest in peace, raised both him and your daughter, Nancy with all the right stuff to succeed in their chosen endeavors. His life and professional law enforcement career have stood the tests of time, will only stand forever as a Dade County Police Hero who gave for the highest of causes and is sincerely missed by myself and family, his loved ones, comrades and friends. A high caliber achiever and doer, that is the reason why in large part Dade County has improved in leaps and bounds now and hopefully for a brighter and more peaceful future. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your voice, your compassion, your calm, elevated everyone to a higher level of dignity and living. To know one is to love one. I think Officer Cook you'll always be fondly remembered for your generosity.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 23, 2014
When the fight begins within himself, a man's worth searching. All individuals are quite capable of growth. Some are stunted in this process, others maintain the process and progress in this aspect throughout their lives and career choices. We try to summon up the challenge from within to make ourselves and lives a bit better, a little happier. If we begin the fight, just begun it, we are alive, we are worthy, we just attempt to comprehend this assessment. To be alive is paramount to changing, questioning, realigning. We are all worth fighting for and there is time to evaluate, change, progress, stay the course as long as we at least try. Officer Cook, this is something that was not a stranger to you. You grew up, developed into a wonderfully mindful, honest and poignantly spiritual and faithful young man. Your care and concern were some of the hallmarks of your young life and career as a police officer. You exuded confidence, the calm to make logical and sound decisions based upon evidence in a reasonable manner. Metro-Dade Police Department had a truly gifted gentleman in their stable of finely tuned and trained men and women in their ranks. Brave, courageous, valiant, endearing to all people you served and protected with distinction, respect and forethought. Never one to back down, you fought to stay alive as you gave your life for the integrity, dignity, honor and preservation all of citizens. Dade County can certainly reflect on your legacy and the backbone of one humble human being whose mind was cemented on only the welfare and best intentions of each person. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 23, 2014
As the years have passed since your untimely passing, Officer Cook, some of us have tried to move on with plenty of changes in store. But we need to work hard to make these changes, they don't come easy. If we are alive. thriving, growing, moving forward, then we can move forward and overcome the negativity that still seems to pervade our society. Since you were a doer, a mover and shaker, Officer Cook, your esteem was held high, as was your honor and intellect which was very much valued among your peers, past, present and future. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. All your efforts and excellent results will never be in vain, your legacy shines as brightly today as it did thirty-five years ago.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 22, 2014
To appreciate nonsense requires a serious interest in life. Our tapestry is sewn from the threads of our work and each to their own is a masterpiece in and of itself. A daily total experiences rather than a completed work of art. Laughter does help keep us balanced. Some days we need to be funny, cute or maybe play a practical joke on someone. Police officers do this on occasion to their fellow comrades, from what I read Officer Cook, you had an engaging and congenial personality, you could make one laugh right away. But when it came down to your professional business, there was no nonsense, it was your honesty, integrity and dignity that was placed on the line in an endeavor to make the residents of Dade county where you patrolled the streets serving and protecting its citizens allowing them to live their lives freely and without fear, intimidation, or trepidation. Just pursue whatever they chose to channel their interests. We all can be thankful and grateful for heroes such as yourself, my neighbor, friend and hero for being there in anytime of need and May 16, 1979 was no different. I guess seeing that God has you and your father, Charles, cradled in His arms for safekeeping, you can make each other laugh and smile. Rest in peace. Your work as diligent and as vigilant as it only was, was a true breath taking masterpiece indeed. Only filled with the brightest of colors.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 22, 2014
Oh it is excellent to have a giant's strength, but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant. Some people, some police officers are intoxicated by being power hungry. You can do it all. You can promise the world. You can do anything. Yes is the only answer. Worse, being labeled a tyrant, abusing your badge and police uniform that one is supposed to wear with all the honor, dignity and integrity that is called upon one who is to be vigilant and diligent to all the needs of the communities where they police and patrol, serve and protect. Officer Cook, obviously you were honest, dignified and served your community with pride and a renowned proudness. Your inner strength and knowledge of all procedures and techniques really stood as the litmus test. No non-sense, no arrogance, only humane, humble, caring and compassionate consideration and due process was afforded to each citizen by you, Officer Cook. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your legacy stands out as a humble and well respected giant from among your peers. You made us all proud of everything you accomplished during your life and in your professional career. Heroism carried out with love and humility.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 21, 2014
If you refuse to be made straight while you are green, you will not be made straight when you are dry. Sometimes we are set in our ways and refuse any offers to possibly change course just a little. Most persons have daily routines and getting them off their paths a bit can result in some unpleasant moments. To want a change and try another means or method to resolving issues is not such a bad thing. You welcomed change, Officer Cook, your engaging personality and quality of character was one of the reasons why you were a great leader. Comrades listened to the messages that you spoke to them and taking direction along with constructive criticism was a central theme in you service to Dade County residents. You were mindful of staying fresh and remaining open to any new ideas that would be beneficial to both your safety and protection of your division and department. Departments now have gone green, but on May 16, 1979, you were seen as our true police hero of Dade County. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 21, 2014
Most people have some sort of religion. You combined both your career, Officer Cook and spirituality together. In other words, both you and Karen made friends from your church, The Visitation Catholic Church near where you resided in the Norwood section of Norland in North Miami, Florida. From 1989 until early 1992, I lived just a few short blocks north of where you lived, once again we might have been neighbors. You were that kind of talented and pleasant young man who could strike up a good conversation with anybody. Your faithfulness, your resourcefulness, your sense of pride and honesty surely served you in only the right way it can to help develop and assist an officer's life and in their career. Have faith, harbor hope, dream big and don't be afraid or worried regarding the outcome. Your positive thought provoking ingenuity served you my neighbor, friend and hero quite marvelously and your legacy has been validated for all people to see and take notice of your heroism for eternity. Rest in peace.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 21, 2014
Police officers live and support each other by a code of ethics and their morality which is comprised of honesty, dignity, integrity and professional decorum on and off the job. Your never had a problem measuring up to standards, Officer Cook. you never shirked responsibility to Dade County citizens, who you were charged with serving and protecting. Your keen intuitions fortified your purpose in life and during your career in making this community of Dade County more serene and unified. You sacrificed your freedoms for your pledge of allegiance in making certain crime and violence would be removed from the streets that you enjoyed patrolling and were revered and respected as one of the Metro-Dade Police Department's finest officers and a down to earth honorable human being. Intelligence, instincts and intuitions are words that every officer must incorporate in their daily language. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 21, 2014
Life consists of what a man is thinking of all day. People today spend more than forty hours a week toiling and sweating. We know there are other things to ponder. You spent quiet times away from your police work with Karen and your friends and father-in-law- with hunting, music, fishing and playing tennis with your colleague, Officer Keith DiGenova. what a human being, police officer and survivor hero he is. Enduring pain and suffering from that tragic day that took your life, Officer Cook. I know he thinks about you, remembers the good times if his memory has not declined too much when you partnered up as officers and played at Cagni Park on their tennis courts. Life and thought are one and the same. You thought about everything you did in your young life, my neighbor, friend and hero. You were the ever present, loyal and determined officer and this will remain among your associates as they always keep you in their hearts and thoughts.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 20, 2014
Some of us have jobs that are thankless. Instead of praise, we get the proverbial door slammed in our face. Police officers have a thankless job in which they constantly put their lives in harm's way. Thick skin is necessary to not only survive the negativity, but to carry on as needed. The citizens have come to expect nothing less from the many fine women and men from the law enforcement community. For all that your worked to become, Officer Cook, you stellar character and approaches to your position placed you in a better situation of advantage to tackle the everyday rigors of the job. Your unselfish and boldly heroic act on May 16, 1979, will always standout as your legacy continues to circulate around this community and country. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. you were a very fine person and even more humbler gentleman who was not afraid to deal with difficult circumstances.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 20, 2014
The manner in which one endures what must be endured is more important than the thing that must be endured. So many of us come unglued when faced with adversity. First, we chastise ourselves for not fully living up to expectations. Then we blame others for"getting in the way." Lots of us are work addicts who "divert the issues" at hand. In the end we just need to correct that which is a fixable error and to move on to another task at hand. Officer Cook, you were a master human being, stellar police officer, who was able to elevate your life and career based upon sound principles of logic, the facts at hand, understanding, staying cool and calm under duress. All this while centering and accentuating your profession with the utmost dignity, integrity and the honesty so essential to preserving and protecting residents and in allowing them to live peacefully together in a safe and secure fashion. If only that day could be taken back, fixed and righted, but you acted expeditiously and as diligently as you always did for the sake of Dade County and those to whom both respected and admired you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The only diversion that day, Officer Cook, was in your response to assist your comrades and those three civilians, knowing you could have just returned to your station house. You were a most conscientious and tenacious officer, the result of your loving parents upbringing which centered around two key words: humble and humane.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 19, 2014
If I am not for myself, who will be? We may have loving families, a devoted wife, a partner who is always in our corner. But change comes only from within. We first must be our own advocate. We must feel self-reliant and that we own our choices that we undertake. You were one of Dade County's leading advocates, Officer Cook. Your reliability was harbored by your confidence and this was gained through trial and error and the abundance of experience you gained through hard work and in perseverance. It is an officer's honesty, dignity and integrity that made you standout among your peers. Your heroic actions on May 16, 1979, have stood their ground and the tests of time and will always distinguish you as a legend and a uniquely humble and humane gentleman. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
August 19, 2014
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