Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Don't become cynical. Don't give up hope....There is idealism in this world. There is human brotherhood. When we become stressed out we become cynical, unhappy, unfulfilled loners. If we do not feel a sense of camaraderie, no brotherhood, we are cynical to the bone. How do we conquer this apparent lack of self-confidence? We summon enough courage to challenge ourselves to ask the hard questions, to begin the steps to getting well. There was nothing cynical about you, Officer Cook. One needs only to take a close look at how humbly you lived your life and carried out your professional career as a Metro-Dade Police Officer. On that day of May 16, 1979, when you, Officer Cook and your partner that day, Reserve Officer Scott Lincoln, answered a domestic call with an officer needing assistance, it was done promptly, proficiently, professionally and quite profoundly, nothing else could be said for the fact of your bravery, courage, valor and commitment acting as you would have done for anyone else. You heroically saved seven lives, those comrades of yours and those three civilians who would be very grateful to you this day and everyday. You relished you job, you cherished and embraced life and for this you'll be forever treasured as one of God's golden angels. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Cynicism will never be found in God's heavenly abode. Heroism is the eternal word on God's golden streets and it comes from the many beautiful people who did battle in this world to eradicate it from evil.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 6, 2014

Some people approach every problem with an open mouth. A massive amount of jabber which some believe will conquer any problem. Answers sometimes come from the heart, but they begin from the brain, where our thought processes begin. A very reflective thinker, Officer Cook, contemplation and consideration were words in your police vocabulary. All your comrades knew you to be a modern and positive person, diligent in your service and protection to all Dade County citizens. You were the best of the best. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. It's the better listener who is the more productive individual in the end.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 5, 2014

I meant to say no breath of trust nor a lack of morals would have ever kept you, Officer Cook, from performing your specific duties. Get a number of people together, with separate agendas, differing axes to grind and talents to flaunt and voila: you may have an addictive, self-fulfilling failure. You were only a successful officer, Officer Cook, with no ego or any hidden agendas. Police work demands that all its sworn officers function totally together as a group, unless their are times when you go on patrol riding solo. Decisions that are made for the betterment of society are those that are made by officers whose vision matches their honesty and integrity. What can we say Officer Cook regarding your stellar character and heroic actions? A great man whose life and career ended way before his time. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The grinding you did, Officer Cook, was when you pounded the pavement looking for the bad people to take off of the streets.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 5, 2014

The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken. habits sneak up on us, before we realize that our patterns of behavior are being repeated and we cannot let go of them. Sometimes good habits bring about a semblance of order and decorum in our lives and careers. Your colleagues knew you, Officer Cook, to possess the finest traits of a genuinely honorable man. Your life was replete with humility, honesty, dignity and integrity. The vim, vigor and vitality of that chain of good old fashioned hard work could never be broken, it might have stretched a bit, but it never ever came close to breaking. The sense of humor that you displayed on several occasions helped keep the unworthy habits away from you and your comrades. When you all went out on your patrols to do battle with wickedness, a cautious sense of approach and fair play always accompanied you. It never drove you down the wrong path. The foresight you exhibited kept you focused on your daily mission and that was to bring a sense of calm and unity to a loving and to a quite giving community where you were revered and respected by all. You channeled your total energies into working soundly with a total reason of logic behind all your endeavors. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 4, 2014

I meant to say, Officer Cook, you were a very devout and devoted gentleman and police officer. I believe we all should set certain goals and follow through on them. It's not improper to set certain standards by which to live, because how else can you achieve and accomplish if you don't set the bar high. Police work challenges even the most toughest and grizzled of individuals. No one ever had to worry with yourself, Officer Cook, of a breach of trust, no a lack of morals. A highly confident and self-motivated officer, who was raised along with your sister, Nancy, with certain ethics and core values that all people should carry with them throughout their lives and in their chosen careers and professions. Dreaming big thoughts, having expectations that may seem higher for most to attain, there is nothing wrong or improper. Holding doors open for women, pulling seats out for ladies, a proper greeting of a please and a thank do go a long way in expressing to others how you are and how you behave. One day at a time, one step at a time, one realistic goal at a time surely go a long way and it's healthy to stretch out ourselves a bit to reach a certain goal or aspiration. You served as an inspiration to all mankind and your service, protection and heroic actions on May 16, 1979, further enhanced that what we knew about you, truly a marvelous human being, a top flight police officer, a goal-oriented person who set his priorities and acted upon everyone of them on behalf of Dade County's residents. You were a sincerely cerebral man, an achiever through humbleness and a very humane spirit, all of which is truly missed today, but fondly remembered forever. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You too were a pluralistic officer, thinking of your department's and division's best interests in your six great years of service.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 4, 2014

Have courage to act instead of react. You do need to have the courage, the inner strength and the intestinal fortitude to do both. The courage to make a change comes from deep within and it takers an enormous commitment and reservoir of energy to act. We must summon the effort, the energy, the passion to make an inventory of our lives in order to realize how very important it is for us to act. But first we must react. Your work ethic, Officer Cook, validated all the good qualities that you possessed not only as an excellent police officer, but that of a fine upstanding and outstanding human being. Superior to most in your breath of wisdom and maturity, you took your God given skills and talents to a higher level where they would help you in service and protection of all Dade County residents. The police profession as most of us understand it calls for not only physical and the mental frames of a proper body and mind to conduct with honor and commitment all of your daily affairs, it is the personal make up of each person who is recruited to the police academy where those in charge can start the process of exploring and weeding out those who may not be headed further down the line. You were a student, Officer Cook, whose brilliance, humbly speaking was like a blotter, soaking up as much information as you were able in order to make those decisions that would endeavor to assist you in preventing and solving crimes. A compassionate voice, a tender ear for listening, a certain balance of calmness and a soothing method of leading those under your direction would all steer you quite well for your six years of commitment to control and to be the best officer Metro-Dade Police Department and the Central Division would have among its ranks. I would imagine the morale could not be any finer with your sincerity and devotion to duty always as a number one priority. Your heroic actions on May 16, 1979, demonstrated beyond any doubt who you were and what you represented as not only a fine gentleman, but as one very outstanding and very deservedly distinguished police officer, a true hero for all time with a good name that will forever etched among the other Dade County heroes and heroines who too made the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of heaven and humanity in a supremely humane manner. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You stood front and center when a life was in danger to always do in your heart what was the prudent thing to do. If Chief Bowlin ever needed an officer for any assignment, he wouldn't need to look anywhere else, he knew who had his trust.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 3, 2014

The true leader is always led. The most charismatic, the most vibrant, open thinker, is led by his heart. He does not entirely rely upon the intellectual process. The true leader is a listener. He listens to those he leads, he notices who they are an dhow to tap into their resources to bring out the very best in them. He looks for cues in the themes of his charge and is acutely aware of any nuances. He is no tyrant and doesn't find his self-esteem intermeshed with those who report to him. He is spiritual. Well you were a very devote and faithful individual, Officer Cook, so dependable and fiercely loyal to those whom you served and protected. It was your inner strength, hard work, honesty and integrity that allowed you the humbleness to lead others. Officers respected your dignity, your thoughtfulness, your passion and calmness in getting the job done where the citizens knew they were safe and secure. I'm not so sure there are all these good habits that exist in all officers in which they need to. Your legacy has many excellent legs to stand forever on. Trust, bravery, courage and valor were these hallmarks of a free spirited man and one gentleman more nobler than the rest. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 3, 2014

I meant to say in the last reflection unless you are an honest to goodness man or woman of integrity, then police work may not be meant for you. People should not confuse charisma with a loud voice. On the contrary, you probably and I'll sat this with certainty, Officer Cook, were a mild-mannered and calmer individual than most. I know we all can get excited or startled by something, but you let your natural talents and mindset start your days off right. There are those sadly in the law enforcement profession who are loud, boisterous and try to take advantage of their position to bully other officers or even bad people who need to be taken off the streets. Obviously, this is not the way to function. As a master communicator and leader of others, it was your goal to trust, to care, to listen and try and make a decision in which everyone would benefit and a resolution of the problem would be found. As an up front member of the Metro-Dade Police Department it was your role, your onus to solve crimes and to prevent them from taking shape. This is and has always been the reason for your success. All your endeavors have been appreciated, your bravery, courage to act in an expeditious fashion with valor and to maintain a class of dignity and assurance is what made the citizens you served and protected feel more safer and secure. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. A well-lived life and career professional of twenty-five years and never a wasted moment. A man with a plan of action, plain and simple.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 2, 2014

Procrastination-avoidance, running from the routine. Shirking your responsibilities are characteristics not condoned by men and women who plan to make a career in law enforcement. Unity, freedom, peace and justice cannot be cultured unless you honest to goodness, women and men of sound mind and physically fit to handle all the day to day rigors that police work entails. Officer Cook, you had this makeup from the beginning of your life. You had the humility, the integrity, dignity and honesty to carry out whenever and whatever was assigned to you. On May 16, 1979, that awful day for not only your loving family and that extended to your colleagues at the Metro-Dade Police Department and all around the world and this land of hope where you were a loyal and very faithful public servant. There was no quit in you, no dodging responsibility. Your heroic resourcefulness that day saved countless lives of your comrades and civilians, it spear-headed countless changes within your department and in the Dade County area community where you were respected and loved very much. Those mannerisms of yours helped quell a problem, your sacrifice helped to spear-head many changes in the Dade County area community, where you grew up and lived and it led to the prosperity where all people could come together as one. That phrase on your gravestone,"We Shall Be One," has taken on a much more deeper meaning and its words have been amplified that much more as a cause and effect. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Officer Cook, you were truly a Godsend and a very blessed individual.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 2, 2014

Seeing that all men and women who decide to become police officers need honesty and integrity to carry out their jobs, it should stand to reason that an inner fire fuels their passions. if you want to become the best, then you have to hone your skills more often then not. Police officers are no different, in that they too have rights, lives their lives with their families as quietly as they can. They serve under all conditions, sometimes they need to have a thick skin just to survive under the stress and duress that their assignments have in store for them. You were able to maintain a semblance of stability, Officer Cook and of the many excellent traits that you were able to build upon, this is what made you the quality public servant the citizens of your community appreciated when you went out on patrol. It did not matter the day, time or place you always exerted maximum effort and patience to fulfill your obligations. A genuine man of character, a calming voice of reason, maturity and wisdom beyond your twenty-five years were reasons you could lead other colleagues during times of crises. And now your spirit can surely assist those who have continued your watch. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, I still wished we could have met and you could have made me laugh with your engaging personality. Laughter can reality be good for the soul. Your were a truly grateful and a gregarious individual and one humbly respected police officer with Metro-Dade.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 1, 2014

Most of us dream to make a living for ourselves. Some want to hold on to our dreams so tightly that we may lose touch with reality. Dreams give us freedoms at times. They allow us to explore the possibilities that lie out there awaiting us. Officer Cook, you dreamed, but more than that, you accomplished so very much during your lifetime. A life well-lived, a police career well maintained through proper dignity, honesty and integrity. It's in your family genes that brought you to the plateau of success where you were a hard worker, sincere in functions as an officer and a very devoted gentleman, both personally in your private life and professionally during your watch over those citizens of Dade County whom you served and protected both diligently and quite skillfully while you maintained your humility and respectfulness of all folks. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The motto is you can dream big, but it is patience and perseverance that pays dividends in the end. Your aspirations are our inspirations and this is what your legacy as a Dade County police hero is all about.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 1, 2014

Being alone often instigates self-awareness, thought, reflection, contemplation of self and those we love. Police officers whether or not they work alone or with a partner, occupy themselves with many different activities and they need to perform a job at an extremely higher level than most. You enjoyed your friendship, Officer Cook, with your buddies, your colleagues who went to battle wickedness with you from day to day. Always the sincerely likable gentleman, who cared for everyone and tried to uplift those less fortunate, you can be sure you will be remembered for your heroic actions each and everyday you wore the uniform and badge of the Metro-Dade Police Department. It had to be a humble pleasure for anyone to know and to be associated with a charming and charismatic individual like yourself. Legacies last forever and yours will always standout as will those men and women before you who made the ultimate sacrifice in all that is required of our deserving and dedicated law enforcement personnel. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. It's more than just carrying two items on your person, it is those characteristics such as honesty, dignity and integrity that stay on your being for life, like a good name, never to be taken away.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 31, 2014

Some know the accoutrements of success and some know the trappings and what they are-emphasis on the word trappings. Here is a modest list of some things that made you successful, Officer Cook, as a police officer and when spending quiet times with your family. Your upbringing was honest and straightforward, plain and simple. Your parents, wife and sister knew your dignity, integrity, grace and quality of character would serve you will. You performed all your assignments with a complete sense of care, compassion, resourcefulness and sincere devotion, desire, dedication and determination to all calls of duty. The bravery, courage, commitment and valor you displayed on May 16, 1979, deserves an A+ for your unselfish endeavor to relieve Dade streets and its corridors of evil, delivering peace, unity and freedom back to its citizens of which you took a solemn affirmation to serve and to protect with all your physical and mental aptitude under conditions that were not always optimal. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 31, 2014

In God's economy, nothing is wasted. Through failure, we learn a lesson in humility which is probably needed, painful though it is. You lived a life and performed outstandingly through humility, Officer Cook. Nothing was painful about how you grew up. Your parents always instilled, honor, self-confidence, dignity and integrity. It's painful for those police officers who have to learn these lessons the hard way. Failure was something some may tolerate, you my neighbor, friend and hero did not allow this to infiltrate your mind. Experiences teach us that if at first you do not succeed, in the end you'll learn to be stronger, more resilient and more giving and you were a giver. You taught us a most valuable lesson in serving with bravery, courage and valor. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 30, 2014

Nothing in man is more serious than his sense of humor. It is the sign that he wants all the truth. Occasionally, a joke, a smile, a hearty laugh may relieve the boredom or break the monotony. And I quite certain, Officer Cook, your quick wit and bright smile sure uplifted the morale of the ranks. The way we laugh, what we laugh at and when we laugh are things of self-disclosure. But make no mistake, you took life and your police career very seriously. Heroes and heroines are not lost in laughter, they serve and protect our needs ever so faithfully in bravery and with much courage. From time to time one can be free spirit as long as you take care of the communities you place before your interests. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, humor gives us the liberty to express oneself and when it came time to roll, you were very much present for Dade County and its citizens.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 30, 2014

The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness. A good book, a trip outdoors with your family, Officer Cook, these were some of the pleasures that brought joy to yourself. We cannot be happy twenty-four hours a day always singing in the rain so to speak. Finding that sense of balance amid the reality of the important job you pursued and were quite diligent in performing is what mattered most to you and your beloved wife, Karen and the rest of your beautiful and loving family. In the North Miami Beach, Florida neighborhood where you grew up and had loads of friends from school or wherever you went to relax, all those knew you were at peace in your decision to become a police officer. Challenges never held you back, as I reflected, it was full steam ahead.. You did not live vicariously, you lived each moment with a designed passion, but most importantly, it was your class of character with the honor and respect to all that counted the most. Today,as we move on with our lives, none of us are happy that you are not here to share the simple pleasures that life has to offer. Indeed you offered us the courage to act, the bravery to believe in ourselves and the courage to counsel those in need. You were a grand and treasured man, so fiercely loyal to family, friends, whomever you touched with your inspiration and wonderful sense of humor. Those angels above are truly flying higher because of the sacrifice, Officer William C. Cook, Badge#1664 made to deliver peace and self-renewal to everyone. Rest in peace. And you know Mrs. Cook, I'll always keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Hope you are doing well and enjoying a restful summer in San Diego.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 29, 2014

People sometimes need to adapt to changes on the fly without any forewarning. Sometimes even the most sophisticated and wise find this a bit difficult. Police officers have to have the abilities to change and yet maintain flexibility and resiliency. In all your daily routines, Officer Cook, you were able to have this awareness so vital to carrying out your professional performances. You were a part of the genesis of evolution which allowed you the opportunity to resolve conflicts between yourself and those citizens that you served and protected with bravery and courage. Nothing ever routine or mundane regarding your humbleness to act on behalf of Dade County and your humane actions which offered others the chance to carry on. Your valor in adapting to whatever hostile, ever-changing work environment had during your watch will now stand planted as the roots of your everlasting legacy among law enforcement heroes and heroines. One day the revolutions will finally stop and citizens can regain their inner confidences in living more peaceful and prosperous lives because of your commitment, Officer Cook. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 29, 2014

It is impossible to persuade a man who does not disagree, but smiles. Those who truly knew you, Officer Cook, knew you were a genuinely kind hearted man. A jovial gentleman with a sense of humor that could light up any room. Your heart was bigger than most, you were a quality man of character and honor. You couple these together and you have the making of one terrific individual, a top notch police officer, whatever you desired to become nothing was ever going to impede your progress, full steam ahead. You found yourself, maybe at age fifty-five I still need to explore and find myself. When I walk by your block sadness still creeps in, but I do know you gave everything and left nothing back when you protected and served Dade County citizens proudly from beginning until that awful day. May 16, 1979 is the day I, your family, your comrades, friends will take time to pause and reflect back on a wonderful life and career filled with compassion, care and consideration for all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. People said my father, may he rest in peace was too nice to be a police officer, well you too were a nice person, even though we never met, quite a big regret, you were a friend until the end, giving your all. You never ran from anything, May 16, 1979, was certainly no exception to this. A police officer's police officer. Justice and honor reined down on the streets of your watch. They were never absent. They demonstrated their abilities, as you honored us with yours.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 28, 2014

Whatever the right hand finds something for one to achieve, the left hand carries a watch on its wrist to show how long it takes to accomplish the task. No watch, Officer Cook, was ever required for the effort you gave. Every time out it was one hundred percent pure toil expended. Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success and on May 16, 1979, it was your heroic actions that endeavored to pacify a troubled young man bent on ruination between the police and the citizens they serve and protect. For six years you were more than a mere breath of fresh air and relief to those who relied upon your knowledge and soothing voice to lead them properly. Valiant and vigorous brought unity and freedom to our doorsteps. You will always be remembered for your unwavering commitment and the undaunted bravery that your position demands. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 28, 2014

The true portrait of a man is a fusion of what he thinks he is, what others think he is, what he really is and what he tries to be. How true. We change like the leaves on a tree. We become like a jeckill and hide. Everyday you made it your number one priority to be honorable, Officer Cook, personable, caring, loyal and faithful to those who were concerned about you. Your family and those men and women who courageously stood with you toe to toe in your battles against evil. The portrait of yourself would be a very proud and happy young man who zested for life, was passionate of his career and one who flashed that million dollar smile. It's still brightening our saddest days. One day we will reunite and catch up on everything. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 28, 2014

Integrity is so perishable in the summer months of success. We must be mindful of our ethics at work, at play or with our families. You were successful at many things, Officer Cook, winter, spring, summer or fall, all you have to do is call. Integrity and honesty are words that make up our characters all year round. A police officer's profession is very detailed and these characteristics are forever part of their lessons when they are braving whatever they tackle from day to day. A hero or heroine lives their life upon certain scruples and standards and their code of conduct must always be above reproach. No one ever had to be concerned with your integrity, this was always center stage in a uniquely humble manner. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 28, 2014

Good people are good because they have come to wisdom by not being as successful at first. Having humility can generally lead any person to success, but it is the person who recognizes failure and is able to change their ways that will lead them back upon the righteous path. Your upbringing, Officer Cook, kept you on that path throughout your life and career. There are officers today that should take a copy of that page when they show up for work each day. Failure versus success, integrity versus dignity, it takes much skill for one to properly adopt to these conditions and you were very much able to differentiate between each. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 28, 2014

The closing of a door can bring blessed privacy and comfort-the opening, terror; conversely, the closing of a door can be a sad and final thing-the opening of a wonderfully joyous moment. Doors are opportunities for us to better ourselves through a little luck, but a whole lot of hard work and the effort to backup our endeavors. You should still be with us, Officer Cook, and those who knew you the best, loved you, respected you, your beloved family and comrades will always revere what you represented. Your career and life ended very sadly, but your sacrifice will stand as your living legacy in that doors and windows for others to pursue the things they are able to will stay opened. Your desire, devotion and dedication will keep the torch of hope, peace and unity burning forever. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 28, 2014

When a friend says hello or something to me listen and sound interested in what they say. You were an excellent listener and even more so a master communicator, Officer Cook. This is something that may take police officers awhile to comprehend. When you must deal in any circumstance, good speech and a calming voice of logic and reason is so essential to performing the job quite skillfully. Your humble leadership skills called upon you from time to time to exercise wisdom and maturity. And this needs dignity and integrity to be successful. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 28, 2014

We have to learn to be our own best friends because we fall easily into the trap of being our own worst enemies. Lapse, relapse, fall, get up, these words mean a lot to us. Sometimes life deals you hard knocks and we must be prepared to answer the bell. You were always ready and vigilant for Dade County residents, Officer Cook and you performed your job with class, character, honesty and virtue. Not too many people can say they lived their lives and worked diligently at their careers by these traits. You will forever be a hero, as humble and humane as it gets. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You were a champion of those less fortunate helping them lift up their spirits whenever called upon.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 28, 2014