Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The great corrupter of public servants is the ego. Looking at the mirror distracts one's attention from the problem. The problem lies in the notion that we all might think we are public servants. Certainly, the police looks to its citizens they serve and protect to lend a hand at times. But, it's the devoted, determined and those who truly to make a real difference in their communities. As one of thousands of Metro-Dade Police Officers you made a huge contribution in and around our venues, Officer Cook. You don't need to be a politician to be a good officer, just the proper mindset of courtesy and respect for each other and those whose lives you are entrusted to serve and to save when called upon. No egos were needed when you went on patrol, just your smile and calming sense of logic and reason. You did not require looking in any mirror to garner the respect of anyone, you knew and appreciated the perspectives of any challenges headed your way. The rest took care of everything else, you just followed your normal routines and did the best you could in only the one way you knew how to and that was quite outstanding. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Some of today's officers really need to gaze in a mirror to view right from wrong, might be the one chance they get to redeem themselves.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 9, 2014

I meant to say, Officer Cook, you were a man of vision and inspiration, who was the model of devotion and self-sacrifice to your department. You were a Godly person, whose desire was to awake each morning and try to make the world a much better place and to be able to enjoy the community that you and Karen called home. The concept of waking up each new day as a lion, to be bold, strong and brave was on your shelf and it enabled you to become not only a much better individual, but a far more superior police officer. You honored all your commitments, now let us pause, reflect and give many thanks for heroic service, because of yourself and the many other countless brave and courageous souls Dade County has been enlightened and enriched beyond any shadow of doubt. It was your work ethic that kept the wheels of justice churning. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 9, 2014

A m and pursued it.an of vision and devotion. You observed what needed to be done right The wrong that revealed itself in the Dade County you tried to fix and this was what made you the very resourceful, loyal and caring police officer that you were for six wonderfully meaningful years, Officer Cook. Outstanding, warm, congenial and considerate beyond expectation. This is something the citizens demand from each and every officer. They want passion, they expect energy and effervescence, resounding results and one who does not oscillate very often. A master at factoring and developing great relations between people from all backgrounds, you'll never be forgotten for your studious and humble approaches and the various methodologies you incorporated into your daily routine to bring about the correct climate in the community in which you were revered. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 8, 2014

Most of us try to be appeasers. We are trying to please someone all the time. Sometimes we feel as if we are being weighed and measured. How did we perform? Are we good enough? Are we giving enough respect and loves to our partners, spouses? The answers to all these questions is a big yes. Police officers try day in and day out to appease the emotions of those who may get carried away before needing to use their weapons, their guns or tasers to bring that person under control. You were the consummate professional, Officer Cook, you let your voice of reason and discern speak loudly and clearly. You were loved and respected by all, Karen, your parents, Nancy, your sister and your extended family members from your police department and from your own family. You are and have been sincerely missed and your excellence in performance of your duties has been duly noted and you'll never be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. I can guarantee those naysayers or doubters out there that on that hot afternoon of May 16, 1979, you did not want to resort to deadly force to subdue this troubled young man who took your young life, you had no choice and acted heroically and properly within the bounds of the law and your department regulations. Well done to our humble and loyal Dade County hero, Metro-Dade Police Officer William Coleman Cook, Badge#1664.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 8, 2014

Success is more a function of consistent common sense than it is of genius. Success breeds success, but it can only happen if one is willing to make sacrifices and doing so with the proper intentions. Police officers rely not only on common sense approaches to their profession, but to planning and carrying out their assignments with more than a shadow of consistency and coherent intellectual behavior. Officer Cook, this was why you were an accomplished individual. Your thought provoking wisdom and the maturity you gained as a young man, helped you achieve your goal to become a better person, a superior police officer, but most importantly a moral and righteous contributor to our society. You spoke when it was necessary and listened to those persons who could help you along a little bit. You were a very resourceful police officer who could take control of a situation, size it up and then make a determination on how to proceed. Your upbringing was the true genesis of your underlying achievements and they will never be overlooked or forgotten. Your ideals and dreams are all part of your legacy for generations to come. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 7, 2014

People tend to want to follow the beaten path. The difficulty is that the beaten path does not seem to be leading anywhere. It's hard to know when to take chances and what to take chances with. Well, you wanted to become a police officer as a very young man, Officer Cook and you did everything in your power to become a cherished and a most valued member of the Metro-Dade Police Department Fraternity. As your friend and Norland High School classmate, Police Chief Geoffrey Jacobs commented, it was a tragic shame that your life and career ended thirty-five years ago, way too soon. You had to be so well liked and respected among all police officers, your bravery and courageous instincts helped to fortify the lives of all Dade County residents. I meant to say you can witness and read up on all the so called train wrecks, meaning departments that have officers going off the correct and moral path of what is right and what is wrong. You were among thousands of excellent police officers who distinguished right from wrong and your valor, honor, dignity and integrity prevented you from straying, not that you ever strayed. You stayed the course and your heroic actions on May 16, 1979, prevented more evil from occurring. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 7, 2014

People assume because they have power, they have wisdom. How wrong can one be? Just look around in politics because of an abuse of power, you can witness an dread up on all the so called train wrecks. In police forces around the country, you can see the so called wrecks, some of this starts at the top from the chiefs who are entrusted with a great deal of responsibility to police their own. Power is like an aphrodisiac- one that works on every gender. Our brains shutdown, we stop functioning in a way we should not, all because of this power surge. Now we think we are invincible. No police officer is this way, nor should they think they are. You were not,Officer Cook. The uniform you worn in a dignified manner for six years and Badge#1664 on your chest was not your signal to be power hungry. Just the opposite in the positive construction of how one goes about the job of acquiring wisdom. Honor, integrity, dignity,courage, whatever it is, when a person is younger and as they become more mature, more aware, a light goes on inside their brain. The light stayed on each moment of your life and career as sadly as brief as they were. The light of your very treasured soul has and will stay lit forever. The darkness in society has hopefully been lighted up by your brave and courage instincts and the impact upon which they made in this world where we breath, laugh, play, whatever we aspire to do or to become. You are our eternal motivator and optimist. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Sometimes in life there is more than meets the eye. Unfortunately, there is more to sweep up than one can imagine. Let's hope and pray police officers and their departments operate as units of togetherness so that serving the people really means something and makes community get along in peace and unity.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 6, 2014

Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits. Yes and no. Your habits, Officer Cook, are surely the ones that most police officers in this country need to follow. When honor, dignity and integrity get placed on a back burner, trouble seems to trail right behind. When one officer gets reprimanded, it can leave a bad scent among the department. We know all it takes one bad apple to cause morale to decline and from there who knows what might transpire? Officers are drilled and lectured during roll call daily before they go out on patrol. Placing your trust in God is essential, you did this along with Karen each day, Officer Cook. But the goodness and honor was instilled in you at a very young age and growing up, it was not too difficult to know the direction you were going to travel and how you would arrive there. Everyone is born we want to think to handle a certain calling, a responsibility, you took on a tremendous onus and executed it to plan. Your maturity and wisdom propelled your career, where your comrades could take note. You never let them down ever. You were always where they could count on you, no matter how dire the situation. Your courage helped calm the masses, your valor helped to vanquish the evil, your bravery helped others believe in themselves. Leadership when utilized the right way can definitely smooth out the rough edges. For what it is worth, you were the humble man with a sound and logical plan of action. A thinking and very astute police officer. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 6, 2014

Sometimes, tragically it takes wickedness to find a solution as to why bad things occur. We must make an inventory and take a total accounting as to where we can locate this solution. You were very superior in doing this, Officer Cook. Of course no police officer looks for trouble, but where there is something amiss, an officer, quite a brave and highly talented and motivated officer, goes to that venue, speaks to the citizens and attempts to resolve any strife. During your watch, Dade County had experienced racial tensions, unrest in the community where you properly, calmly and matter of factly went out daily to bring about a peace and a lasting unity. Tragically, you were taken from us, the entire nation, your family and comrades by performing quite skillfully your everyday business as our loyal and very faithful public servant. The world as we see it through our eyes,still has a way to go in coming to grips with this disease of evil. Since your untimely death and the ultimate price you paid on our behalf, parts of Dade County have been rebuilt, resurfaced, repaved because of your sheer valor and tenacity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. It should never take an officer's life to bring about anything, though when officers sign on they knowingly accept the risks associated with their chosen careers. You were just carrying out your job on May 16, 1979, you went to a domestic call, you answered many other times, you saved seven lives in a five minute span all fashioned in admiration, respect and compassion for all. This was your passion, your calling, God called you home to help Him watch over those brave souls who have continued down your righteous paths.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 6, 2014

Nothing succeeds like the appearance of success. Forget the fancy suits, the fancy cars, it is the home and environment where a person is raised. If there was a "perfect kind of person," you would have have tabbed, Officer Cook, because you were humble, you lived humbly, your character was flawless, you had a maturity way beyond your twenty-five years and you possessed the quality traits to make a leader. I know no one is perfect, only Our Creator. You were a quiet and unassuming individual who let his talents and values speak for themselves. Your parents, your sister, your wife, there was not a soul you would not assist in times of trouble. Your good name will always stand out front in Dade County as one of its true heroes. If people could live and lead by the examples you established, then that is half the battle. The greatness and goodness you personified as a person and as a police officer will stay as legendary as we look back on your life and career humbly stated. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. North Miami Beach misses you more than I can imagine, you'll always be saluted by me for your courage and valor.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 5, 2014

What moves us to climb the ladder of success? You have to examine why you are on the ladder. Is it just for financial status or is it to make a difference in the community as a leader, a mover and shaker. You were one officer, Officer Cook, who was not lacking in self-esteem. Matter of fact you had the right prospective when you decided you join the Metro-Dade Police Department forty-one years ago. You learned all the important and intrinsic lessons from your loving parents and especially from your father, Charles, may he rest in peace who was a career military person. Your loving mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, may you live and be well also played an integral part endowing you were values and morals that laid the groundwork for your life and professional career. One does not need to look very far as to why you were an accomplished and goal oriented individual. The heroic actions you displayed not just on May 16, 1979, but, everyday of your watch speaks in volumes of humility and respect you afforded every citizen you served and protected in Dade County. You deserved to make that humble ascent up the department ladder, instead because of a heinous act against you and your department, the ascending of your soul has now taken on a more profounder meaning. Watch over us Officer Cook. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Because of your honor and bravery the movements of the community you so loved have been shaken up quite a lot.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 5, 2014

Your profession as a police officer, Officer Cook and that of your beloved wife, Karen, who worked as a Registered Nurse were professions where sadly from time to time, you had to accompany someone to the emergency room and I think the two of you should be lauded for performing dangerous jobs that required the utmost skill and precision. With the respect that is due to two of the most compassionate and passionate individuals I have ever read about, you can receive my humble plaudits and kudos. Undertaking sometimes back-braking and fiercely difficult situations, one can only ponder what you both must have gone through. These professions both also demand high energy, honesty and integrity central to the survival of both yourself, Officer cook and the residents of Dade County who you served with respect and admiration. You too, Karen, deserve plaudits for the intestinal fortitude and perseverance you displayed many times over, working all shifts and being able to handle a full case load with a skill set to match. Hard to replicate two fine and talented individuals who work to save lives on a daily basis and keep one healthy as well. Heroism you displayed in both your life and in your police career obviously will never be duplicated. You just set out to become the finest and most outstanding officer in character and in performance of your time. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 4, 2014

Only the mediocre are always at their best. We must allow for variances in our performances, in our modes, in our output. As humans, we are capable of a great deal, but not everyday. First of all, Officer Cook, you were never mediocre in any of your jobs assigned to you. You were first rate, stood and represented your department and division with nothing but honor, dignity, integrity and a higher moral and ethical standard than most officers. A cut above the rest in bravery, courage, valor, humbleness and in humility. Perfection addiction can be the ruination of some. I understand all police officers must carry themselves with honesty and not like their badges pinned on their chests and uniforms they wear proudly and with a strong sense of compassion and passion, one needs these two formulas working together in sync to make a successful and accomplished officer while on patrol in their community. If an officer is going to fail, it is better if it happens in a class or police exercise at the police academy, where an instructor can point out to the recruit their miscue so that it doesn't happen on the streets where it counts the most when trying to serve and protect the lives of the citizens. Mediocrity can only serve as a wicked menace to officers endangering and exposing those public servants who willingly and honestly risk their lives so ours can be safe and secure. You held your head high in humbleness, Officer Cook, letting honor and street savvy steer you in the proper directions. The above sentence cannot ever creep into a department and division's morale you cannot have officers acting without common sense and some sort of morality when charged with an already dangerous profession. The wisdom and maturity you possessed was and is always going to be the front and back of your heroic legacy. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Let your beloved soul shine brightly forever. Variances and slight nuances might be permitted at times, but should not remain the normal police procedure.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 4, 2014

Sometimes each of us may have to fall down, pick ourselves up, dust the dirt off and carry on. The commitments we make may cause a strain among others. One can't let this situation occur too often. Officer Cook, you became a fine police officer with the Metro-Dade Police Department to help make positive happenings take shape in a community where you were so revered. The morale of your division never suffered any greater than when you had your young life taken while performing your official duties. While on patrol or at your headquarters, your bright smile illuminated the atmosphere and your quiet approach to your job enabled you to be one of the very best officers of your time. While helping God lift up today's officers spirits, keep lighting up our society with your cherished soul. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your compassion relieved the stress and strain of the residents you served and protected.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 3, 2014

Start slow and taper off. I don't think that is or will ever be the model of how police departments and their devoted officers should ever conduct their business. In organizations and other places of employment, starting slow and tapering off wouldn't be a problem, as some employees just show up to collect a weekly paycheck. In police work none of this would ever be tolerated, unless it's your last day on the job before you retire. I personally busted my tail each night working for the Postal Service, while others just stood around admiring the scenery and I'm quite sure you worked very hard as a police officer, Officer Cook. A police career can be viewed by some as a natural progression for growth, reward and celebration particularly if you are deserving of a promotion. Based upon your positive results, your leadership skills, my neighbor, friend and hero, a promotion would have been the just and proper course for your department to pursue. You would have made an honest and truly down to earth mentor as well as a solid contributor to your department. Your whole life was about promise and fulfilling a commitment. To your family, to your spouse, to your friends in and out of the department, your word was your bond, even until your last breath which you gave to all Dade County in keeping peace and unity glued together as you were this to your family and will always be remembered for keeping the happy moments in tune with what you knew needed to be accomplished. Rest in peace. There was never any quit or resignation in your professional performance or your demeanor, that is why you were one if not the most well respected police officer that Metro-Dade came to know and love.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 3, 2014

With July the fourth coming tomorrow, first I would like to wish your entire family a happy fourth, though they and your friends with you were joining them for parties and barbeques. Today, Officer Cook, society has to deal with a problem I don't think you had to deal with as a student, bullying. As an officer during your time with the department, you may from time to time had to deal with this confounding issue. I guess you have to be smarter than the bully themselves, solve your problems with words, something a wise and thoughtful person as yourself, would have done. Not take out your weapon and pretend to be Wyatt Earp. You were not this type of police officer, only a most honorable and faithful servant to residents of Dade County. A master communicator, you preached only gentleness and a soothing calmness that today's men and women of law enforcement should try to emulate. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your thoughtfulness and honest perceptions are greatly missed this day.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 3, 2014

When I reflected that the only time you stopped by the Internal Affairs Division was to say hello to your colleagues. Today, sadly too many officers not only stop at this part of their department, because basically they police and investigate their own. You were never in this kind of hot water as some are. I've read of police officers having many I.A.D. reprimands or investigations in their files. You need honest men and women out on patrol in their communities who know how to deal with all kinds of personalities. You were the best, Officer Cook, in rectifying and calming hot tempered individuals. It was a terrible tragedy that on May 16, 1979, the young man you and your comrades were dealing with couldn't be appeased. Your heroism meant a great deal to Dade County citizens who I'd like to think appreciate excellent professional work from their public servants. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. It is not quite good enough for some to give their all, all must give their all, meaning one-hundred percent best effort going forward.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 3, 2014

If we could live our lives again, we probably would take account for our miscues and see where we could correct them so they do not occur once more. People think changes take too much time, well sometimes if it is time to change, then take as much as you need. Police officers do not always get this allotted time period. They have to think on the go at times, let go of their egos and do what is proper for the citizens of which they have taken an oath to serve and to protect. Officer Cook, you were truly one devout gentleman, I say this literally and knowing you answered all your calls promptly and with a real sense of urgency. You were calming, you were honorable and could be trusted with the most complex and sophisticated matters that any officer might have to try to solve and resolve. The dignity, grace and compassion you utilized when out on patrol served you and helped you in assisting your comrades. I personally will never doubt your response on May 16, 1979 to answer that domestic call, nor should anyone second guess why you went. You went to serve and to protect the lives of your colleagues and those civilians who counted on the many excellent brave men and women like yourself. Failure to act would have been like throwing in the towel. It was your desire and heroic dedication to be faithful and you were as evidenced by reflections left in your honor. Let your legacy be told for all ages and generations to come that there in Dade County stood a humble man wearing badge, #1664, Officer William Coleman Cook. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. When you start a project, you try your hardest to complete it and see it through. Something that your life and the career that you passionately pursued to the zenith will always be remembered by.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 2, 2014

A lie would make no sense, unless the truth were felt to be dangerous. Sometimes we tell ourselves if we can get away with it, that we are in control. Everything is ok. Well, police officers cannot distort the truth, they have to serve and protect us with all the honor and decorum that their position calls for. You were brought up, Officer cook, with righteousness and nothing but truths spilling from your lips like honey from a tree. Your wife, your family and all your friends and colleagues from work knew you to be the ever so devoted and determined police officer that recognized integrity and dignity were two components that would highlight your life and professionalism. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The only time you ever stopped or visited the Internal Affairs Division was to say hello.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 2, 2014

Today Officer Cook, I was at North Shore Hospital where the paramedics brought you after you were wounded. I wanted to go to the emergency room, but I probably would have been sobbing like a baby. You should see the changes thirty-five years later. I just wished the staff and doctors could have saved your life. I know they did everything possible to keep you with us. Even when totally immersed in your work routine, we can be aware of what the other person is doing. Sometimes, perhaps most of the time we know what other officers are doing. This is why officers have radios in their cars and today and they wear walkie talkies on their shirts for communication purposes. Officer Cook, as a police officer, you had to have your eyes trained on several things at one time when out on your daily patrols. But as you were raised, the Cook Family kept up with the Cook's, not the Ferris Family, the Oliphant Family and not the Cooperman Family. You never did anything with less than full attention, you played with your friends and enjoyed the laughter and good times. Family moments were well spent with a full glass of soda and relishing all the memorable times. But you did care about your neighbors and how each of them were doing. They were the fortunate ones who got to know and greet you, To see that bright smile as a token of friendship. My one big regret today was in not ever meeting you personally along with your parents and sister. You should live and be well Mrs. Cook, I'll always and do say my prayers with you in mind. At least I got to meet some of your family members and received that nice sentimental letter from your mother. You paid due attention to all people's needs and were there to lend a helping hand to all who were troubled and May 16, 1979 was no different. From the moment you were conceived, your humble and poised life as a hero began to take shape. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your unselfishness was the reason for why we have certain things better laid out in the community where you gave your life in respect and in love. You certainly cherished the moments and now all who knew you cherish the wonderful memories of a true treasure of a genuinely wise and mature gentleman. I still hope to someday meet your sister, Nancy and God willing see your mother in San Diego, California if possible.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 1, 2014

Sometimes it's hard to get to the center of a person to find out who they really are. Are they too frightened to show their true self to another? It's hard for most police officers to work incognito. Most of your comrades knew Officer Cook, you were known as Bill to most of them. True and reliable, loyal and faithful, there was never any reason for you to go undercover. Maybe you did work undercover and you would have performed as marvelously at that assignment as any that was placed your way. No masks were needed to guard the identity of a truly devoted and hard worker. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. For six years of commitment, you made the most of your opportunities and it was achieved with only the finest honor, virtue and valor. You will always be known as Metro-Dade Police Officer William C. Cook: Badge#1664.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 1, 2014

Start everyday off with a smile. I respect the man or woman who is up front with themselves and in tune with others. Some of us think we have to don a mask of happiness, a cheerful expression, in order to please everyone. We work, we toil to arrive to a place where we can be sincere and honest, where we are most comfortable. No police officer is superhuman, they possess feelings and with some those emotions are displayed on their sleeves, while others are disguised inside of them. This is exactly how you went about your business as a police officer and in your quiet moments with your beloved Karen, Officer Cook. No guises, no phony mirages, only the straight forward truth and courtesy delivered with both compassion and a profound passion coming right from your heart. It made you accountable. more reliable and self-confident in all your abilities to lead other men and women. All of these fine qualities are surely missing as much as your physical presence among your comrades of today who have taken over your watch. Let us hope and pray the ideals you expounded upon and championed have begun to take shape in today's brave women and men, who like yourself, Officer Cook, have inherited an enormous challenge that lies ahead of each of them and carry it out with honor. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. I'm certain when you left your home on May 16, 1979, you wore that priceless smile and gave Karen a big hug and embrace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 30, 2014

Fanaticism consists of redoubling your efforts when you have forgotten your aim. We work our tails off and some become fanatics. You can be zealous and eager, you just try to keep your ego in check. Something you always did, Officer Cook, the humbleness of how you and your sister, Nancy were raised spoke volumes. Since you were always a goal oriented individual, you fully understood, the what, why, where and how narrative of what it takes and what it took for you to be the ever vigilant and faithful officer who could be counted to pitch in wherever necessary. Producing steam results in humidity, officers should better practice what they preach and first endeavor to be honest, truer to themselves and their colleagues. You preached honor, integrity and dignity and most all of humility. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, you never let up ever in your battle against wickedness, you kept the conditions surrounding in your radar screen at all times and that is why you have been remembered for being the quality gentleman and stellar police officer whose legacy remains in high esteem. Sometimes low key approaches work in more ways then we can imagine.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 30, 2014

I would imagine in some areas of police work there is such a case as being an eleventh hour person. I don't know if you were ever that, Officer Cook, you worked however long your shift called for you to serve and to protect. I'll say one thing, your decision to go on May 16, 1979, we the citizens can second-guess your decision because we were not there at that domestic disturbance. All the anguish, all the hand-wringing, any planning on the part of your department, it all came down to two brave officers, yourself, Officer Cook and your partner that day, Reserve Officer Scott Lincoln. You gave your partner directions not to unholster his weapon. Since officers know the inherent risks associated with their profession, you had to act as calmly and as bravely as you could. You had to use your weapon to defend your comrades who were in danger. No second-guessing that tactical move. The tensions in Dade County at that time were at a high pitch and you just tried to calm a disturbed young man down and maybe things would not have gotten out of hand. Your heroism saved seven lives, your colleagues and those civilians. You kept your word, defended Dade County and help to restore civility where it rightfully belonged. You'll never be forgotten for doing so. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Anguish and sorrow all these many years have been replaced by newer structures, thanks in large part to your sacrifice, Officer Cook, but it should never come to this. Wish I could have been there to comfort or to hold your hand and offer a prayer for you to pull through somehow. You were the backbone of your division and department offering words of encouragement to your friends when they needed it the most.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 29, 2014

I meant to say, Officer Cook, that you went out on patrol without any fanfare. The morale of a police department depends on the actions in and around its sworn police officers. Not just on the line, but even when off-duty. You cannot strike fear in anyone and one can't build a healthy infrastructure, corporation or organization if this is present. Sure, your immediate supervisor can instill a few tips or maybe offer a warning to certain officers to tone it down and act like you are supposed to. It takes courage to be kind, as well as introspection and thought. Tyranny is easy. One must not belittle or act condescending if one is to patrol the streets and make residents feel safe and sound. One of your many mottoes, Officer Cook, not to be gruff, you spoke in a measured and calming manner, it would be great if others followed suit. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 29, 2014