Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

There is value in quiet contemplation. It is rejuvenating. It's an act of self-respect and finally, an act of respect for those whose lives we touched. While racing to situations that call for a police officer's immediate attention, there are moments when I would imagine you may be thinking about what needs to get done in order to accomplish the goal of solving the problem. and since you respected everything about life and your career, Officer Cook, making sure you achieved a means to a satisfactory conclusion meant giving every ounce of effort in an earnest, honest and dignified manner. You did touch not only your parents, sister, wife and your extended family, but those colleagues so near and dear to you that you gave up your life saving them and those civilians whose lives you were responsible and the onus you had for their safety. No one should ever take these onuses for granted something you my neighbor, friend and hero never did. Rest in peace. Family values and your extended police family members were your priorities and you treasured them without any shadow of a doubt.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 17, 2014

When Neil Armstrong, the former Apollo astronaut landed on the moon, stating the words, "The Eagle Has landed," this was in the course of our history an important step for all mankind. I'm sure in high school, you remembered this, Officer Cook. How could one forget one small step, but a huge imprint on the future of mankind? Well, you had one small dream and this dream through inspiration, aspiration and quite a lot of perspiration, hard work and diligence became a reality one day. It does not become something that happens overnight with the flick of a switch. Becoming a police officer is sought of like applying to NASA to become an astronaut or a scientist. You go through a system of checks and balances, go through physicals and mental testing to first see if you even qualify. They look into your background, character, personal and professional references to see if everything squares. But make no mistake, you had all the right essentials for your chosen profession, Karen, too with her nursing career had to go through the same process, though back in the 1970s things were a bit different than they are now. The Metro-Dade Police Department knew the quality of the individual they were about to employ and it's our heroes and heroines who exemplify this in their lives and in character who usually come out on top. And Officer Cook, this was yourself. A stellar character who comported himself at all times with this vivid reminder of how we all should carry ourselves. This is how we can best make this world a safer and a more serene venue for all to accomplish. Your humane feats in life and in your career were the motor that made this happen. Your solid disposition and a unique passion enabled you to tackle whatever assignment was placed in your direction. Not all police officers are good at everything, though it's necessary to excel in the basics. Domestic issues were your forte. You left no stone, so to speak unturned and tried your hardest to succeed that day of May 16, 1979, when some troubled young man breached the bounds of silence in a community that you took personal care of in service, protection, devotion, desire and determination to make it right for all to live in. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You one humble step as a duly sworn police officer caused positive events to take off in leaps an din bounds. If honor and dignity are left on your front doorstep when you leave for work, your day could possibly be headed for trouble and this is why men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice as you did, never did this, compliance is only a positive tool of reinforcement and should be utilized at all times no matter the circumstances.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 16, 2014

The simplest person who in his integrity worships God, becomes God. No one can be God unless you are writing a make believe play. But your life and career as a police officer, Officer Cook, took on many turns. You imbued all the necessary values so common in individuals that it made both your life of twenty-five years and your six years, all too brief with the Metro-Dade Police Department take on a distinct meaning. You allowed Our Creator who you worshiped regularly steer your pathway. Your faith, Karen's faith, allowed the two of you to function with a sense of togetherness in both of your chosen professions. Family life was as important to both of you as were the friends you made from your fields of endeavor. Your loving parents were proud, very proud of both you and Nancy. Thank God your father was able to witness you reaching the pinnacle of success. We all can be very thankful and mindful of why you chosen a career that has many risks, can be very dangerous and yet if one sets their mind to achieve and has a stellar character, they can withdraw that which they put in hard work and all the ingredients that make up an honest and intelligent public servant. Your heroism stays with us as your cherished soul floats above in God's heavens above. You are very much missed by all and will never be without remembrance. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. It was the humblest of your life and the humble abode where you grew up to become the quality person that is never to be forgotten for your valor and compassion to all.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 16, 2014

Cost is the father and compensation is the mother of progress. Mr. and Mrs. Cook, your beloved and darling son, Bill, Billy, William, Officer William C. Cook, Badge#1664, was the epitome of virtue and valor. Two words that are hard to come by for ordinary people. He brought joy and pleasure to anyone he met, he was a loyal friend to one in need. His discipline and demeanor were essential qualities to doing his job with the utmost honor one needs in order to accomplish the goals that a police officer must achieve. God now has one great servant helping Him legislate with all His daily affairs. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 15, 2014

You shall have joy, or you shall have power, God said, but, you shall not have both. Power is the first good. The power to do good is also the power to do harm; those who control the power today may not tomorrow; and more important, what one man regards as good, another may regard as harm. You certainly enjoyed your life, Officer Cook, though it was cut too short by violence and yet you served God with a devoutness, a resolve. a resounding firmness to commitment based on the principles of honor and integrity, which are our laws of the land, a place you roamed from day to day on patrol to make us safe and secure, so that no harm would ever come our way. This was your passion, your inspiration, your boyhood dream to live life as you preached. Only truer words to come from your heart and the air you breathed from your lungs that took a tragic bullet in your effort until your last moment to save your fellow officers and civilians from further harm. That day will be etched on my mind forever. You were everything we dream to be, humble and honorable each moment. Proud and full of pride, hard to believe when I look at your picture of you smiling, wearing your uniform, boy, forty years ago and forty years later, we all can now see the big picture of why you were placed on this Earth, to do good deeds and perform a profession at an optimal level. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 15, 2014

I reckon, when I count all, first poets-than the Sun-then summer-then the heaven of God-and then the list is done. But looking back-the first so seems to comprehend the whole-the others look like a needless show, so I write poets-All. The truth be said. Heroes and heroines they serve and protect, they do their jobs with honor and respect , they try to go by the book, if only today some would act like you, Officer Cook. No suspensions, no fines, no speeding. Take a look around and discover your surroundings, you can think back to some of the poundings. The wars you fought to maintain fairness and goodness, let us hope one day these battles conclude, so as not to be rude. It's respect and responsibility that needs to be paid, if all citizens can just stand under a tree and sip a lemonade. I wished we could have shared a drink and many a story of your days with Metro-Dade. You summoned the courage, it is and was plain to see, sweet liberty for those to live and prosper the righteous way. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Today is Father's Day and I would have liked to wish each other a great day, and because of your actions, dads and their sons can enjoy the warm summer air of baseballs being belted everywhere.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 15, 2014

But every house where love abides and friendship is a guest, is surely home and home sweet home: For there the heart can rest. Man is stumbling and fumbling blindly through a spiritual darkness while toying with the precarious secrets of life and death. The world has achieved brilliance without wisdom, power without conscience. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than we know about living. As I've reflected many times, Officer Cook, your humble abode, your parents home, where you and your sister, Nancy were raised was a loving environment where honesty and happiness always reflected the mood and even the home you shared with your loving wife, Karen set this tone. I passed your home where you and Karen lived this morning, boy, there much have been plenty of warm and wonderful times spent there. My parents' friends lived near you there and my sister, Michele and I spent some good times with my parents friends, one of whom was also a New York City Police Officer. The Malkin's and the Bloch's, I believe Mrs. Malkin is still alive. A sad sorry there, their oldest daughter passed from illness in 1999 and their younger daughter, Tamara has severe Downs Syndrome, we should never know and thank God, your family members are fine and although Justin is in a wheelchair because of an auto accident, he does not let his disability keep him from doing anything. he sure looks like you, his "Uncle Bo." I think part of the stumbling is now because the world we live in is exposed to a saturation of different media including the Internet. Television intoxication among young children and adults contributes to this problem and the violence perpetrated could be directly linked to this medium. I'm sure, Officer Cook, you and Nancy enjoyed television and listening to the radio, but you did this in a sensible way. You were that shining star, my neighbor, friend and hero, who delivered sunshine amid the darkness. The rays of opportunity and hope are solely based upon heroic actions of the fine brave men and women in the law enforcement community. Your comrades and yourself waged these daily battles in an effort to unify, you were so to speak the lightning rods of liberty and joy for all residents to relish in and you'll never ever be forgotten. Rest in peace. Mrs. Malkin, I believe still resides at 430 NW 184th Terrace, a few blocks down the road from where you lived with Karen. The Bloch's also lived close by, not sure but near Mrs. Malkin. Her husband, Leonard, a New York City Police officer like my dad, Owen, your dad, Charles and yourself, Officer Cook, are probably really getting acquainted with each other. Julius Bloch like your dad, served in the war. All great people just like the Cook's.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 15, 2014

For the many brave and valiant police officers, the past, at least, is secure. Stay, stay at home, my heart and rest; home-keeping hearts are happiest, for those that wander they know not where are full of trouble and full of care; to stay at home is best. Your home with Karen, Officer Cook, was also where your heart lied. It was also at your station house where you maintained a second home with those men and women who stood unified with you in life's daily battles. Dade County's streets could not have been placed in finer hands. The past will be safe and sound because of your genuine concern for all mankind, Officer Cook, as will your soul and your father, Charles' too. They can travel wherever God needs you to watch over those who expose their souls through bravery, dignity and integrity to keep safety forever flowing through people's blood. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. There is no place like home, home sweet home.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 14, 2014

With the loss of tradition we have lost the thread which safely guided us through the vast realms of the past, but this thread was also the chain fettering such successive generation to a predetermined aspect of the past. It could be that only now will the past open up to us with unexpected freshness and tell us things that no one as yet had ears to hear. Well with the tragic loss of two police officers the other day in Las Vegas, Nevada, that fine line of tradition has been temporarily broken. Heroes such as Officers Beck and Soldo who were gunned down execution style while having lunch together in a restaurant when in walked two strangers, husband and wife from Indiana who disliked police and were looking to harm or in this case the ultimate, taking two brave souls who left families and young children behind. Terribly tragic and yet not totally shocking. What I'm trying to say is that we have evil all around the country and the world and you, Officer Cook, had your young life taken, leaving behind a wife, Karen, your sister, Nancy and your loving mother, Mrs. Julia Cook. We cling to reality and the hope and prayers that our police officers of the present stay safe and remain honorable in all their pursuits of evil and just keep up the good fight as they wage war against this albatross that threatens at times to erode our values within our modern day society. There is a fine line obviously between good and bad and it takes an entire nation, a community to come together, come to grips with what takes place everyday. You and those courageous officers in Las Vegas, Officer Cook, stood your ground, though they never had a chance to defend themselves as this nightmare unfolded rather quickly, plus a civilian at a nearby Walmart who saved the lives of the patrons was killed, just as you did on May 16, 1979, except you were able to defend yourself, your comrades and those three civilians. nAs stated in "Forgotten Heroes," people mortally wounded can still take a life within a matter of seconds. Your intellectual influences will forever be felt in the Dade County community where you were one of many faithful and loyal public servants. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 14, 2014

A morsel of genuine history, a thing so rare as to be always valuable. And a valued team member of the Metro-Dade Police Department you were Officer Cook. If one were to read a morsel of your life and career story, it certainly would enhance the knowledge of the ordinary citizen who may not know what transpires behind the scenes of crime work. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your legacy is now and forever written the history of all men and women who have served their communities with distinction, courage and nobility. Through your family members, your legacy does march on as time and the decades keeping coming.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 14, 2014

History fades into fable, facts become clouded with doubt and controversy, the inscription molders from the tablet, the statue falls from the pedestal. Columns, arches, pyramids-what are they but heaps of sand? And their epitaphs, but characters written in the dust. A page of history is worth a volume of logic. Nothing cloudy about what transpired to you, Officer Cook, on May 16, 1979. The etching on the marble wall at Tropical Park in Miami, Florida, the writing-the inscription on your gravestone says it all. The heroism and bravery you exhibited now stands forever as your legacy along with other Dade County police heroines and heroes. Fables are just that, courage and valor are more than utilizing and employing logic and factual instincts. The book "Forgotten Heroes" is a factual accounting of all the brave men and women of law enforcement who sadly were placed in a "forced retirement" circumstance by their loyal actions meant to eradicate wickedness from our society of which you were a valued member and a faithful contributor. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 13, 2014

Happiness to some elation; is to others, mere stagnation. You brought joy, pride and honor to your family, friends and colleagues, Officer Cook, your personality lit up a room and in some way brought laughter to those a bit downtrodden. A stagnant person you weren't, a strong warrior who was not afraid to get down in the pits to supplant the evil that still grows. You took on whatever came your way with the same seriousness and passion as anything you ever had to deal with. Your grit and determination would have taken you if you were still with us to even greater heights and I'll safely say this. The gem in you was never to abandon your colleagues in times of trouble, something the date of May 16, 1979, will always be fresh in our minds and in the memories of a purely wonderful individual. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 12, 2014

I have a rendezvous with death at some disputed barricade, when spring comes around with rustling shade and apple blossoms fill the air. Police officers are always reminded of the risks that are associated with their chosen profession and you readily accepted all challenges that were placed before you. All the bitterness, all the tears shed at your service as you were being laid to rest with so much more to fulfill, deeds still remaining, it is now up to us to accept these challenges and to utilize our strengths in life to help us to overcome our weaknesses in good health, peace and prosperity. To make the legitimacy of your legacy a sterling bond where in which all people shall prosper. "We Shall Be One" now takes on a more deeper meaning and from now on all of our destinies should always be for the sake of heaven. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your heroism helped make one community liberty and justice for all.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 12, 2014

So live when thy summons comes to join the innumerable caravan that moves to the pale realm of shade, where each shall take his chamber in the silent halls of death, thou go not like the quarry-slave at night, scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams. When it comes time for all of us to receive that eternal subpoena, one cannot refuse that as God determines our destinies. Your journey in life and in your career as a police officer, Officer Cook, was based on solid principles of faith to God, along with your beloved wife, Karen. It was brought into focus by being loyal, devoted, dedicated and devoted to duty. The day of May 16, 1979, was a day of remembrance and reflection as one of Metro-Dade County Police Department's humble and a most revered public servant, Officer William C. Cook, Badge#1664, through careful collaboration helped to assist in the emancipation of those residents who had been shackled by hardships. You helped to remove these roadblocks and were a steady and most deserving influence on other officers. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, hard work and honesty go hand in hand in helping develop a plan of action. Something you always had in mind when attacking a problem that could arise from time to time.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 11, 2014

It is of some comfort to us both that the term is not very distant at which we are to deposit in the same cerement our sorrows and suffering bodies and to ascend in essence to an ecstatic meeting with the friends we have loved and lost and whom we shall still love and never lose again. Your spirit has never left us, Officer Cook, it's only your voice and physical being that has departed this world and that was only because of a troubled young man who endeavored to take out his frustrations against law enforcement. You labored, fought a good battle with heroic police actions that have us inspiring to follow your professional pathways and most of all and more importantly you carried with you in class, dignity, honor, bravery, courage and valor. All while working your hardest and steadiest to bring about liberty and togetherness. Your colleagues, your family and friends have always loved you, will continue loving and admiring and missing you so very dearly. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 11, 2014

Time has laid his hand upon my heart, gently, not smiting it, but as a harpist lays his open palm upon his harp, to deaden its vibrations. God has laid His open hands over you, Officer Cook and those comrades of yours who have paid the ultimate sacrifice to insure unity and peace continues in the community. Because of your honorable and heroic performance over and above the calls of duty, you'll forever be remembered for collaborating in the fight against evil. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Time generally heals most wounds, though your loss will always be felt as your legacy is revered.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 11, 2014

When death puts out our flame, the snuff will tell, if we are wax, or tallow, by the smell. All who ever live at some point they pass from this world. It's what a person makes of themselves that counts in the end. Did they speak well and do good deeds? Well, we can say with great clarity, Officer Cook, that you both lived a well meaningful life, exemplified by your kindness, consideration and compassion, as well as taking those examples and carrying them over to the Metro-Dade Police Department and loyally served your community, standing for all and in the end giving your all through courage and valor, unlike no other. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, your ship may have come in, but the voyage your soul is now on can forever travel wherever it deems necessary to watch over those souls here on this earth, who dig down and try to remove the wickedness that seems to obstruct our venues in society.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 10, 2014

Because I could not stop for death, it kindly stopped for me; the carriage held but just ourselves and immortality. This is the hour of lead remembered if outlived as freezing persons recollect the snow- first chill, then stupor, then this letting go. The day you were laid to rest, Officer Cook, from what I have gleamed was a bright and sunny day, hot just as the day you gave your life for all Dade County. People gathering that evening at the old Bennett and Ulm chapel for your visitation and then the next day at St. Mary's Cathedral for your Inspector's Funeral, if I had been there, I probably would have seen many a tear shed to honor a very well planned and accomplished life and police career. They gathered and came to honor one of their own, yourself for what you represented, your upbringing, with all you achieved in twenty-five years, it seems just too short, your bravery to act and save your fellow colleagues and those three civilians, it's easy to see why those paying their respects would be in a stupor. The passing of your dad, Charles, in 1976, as told to me by your nephew, Justin and then your untimely passing, may you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your mother, may she live and be well, had to have a heart of pure gold and the spiritual resourcefulness to see through these terrible tragedies. Your family should only know happy times and you should be here for them. I'm sure the pain she experienced by these losses, well it is difficult to completely put it in words. I'll say she is one great woman and I'm happy she took the time to answer my letter and write back to me a most beautiful and very sentimentally moving letter even though we never had the chance to meet. I think of my parents, may they rest in peace, but I still always think about you and your life and career, having both grown up in North Miami Beach, Florida. Sometimes the cruelest of fates seems to bond and bring people closer together than any other time.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 10, 2014

The reason of idleness and crime is the deferring of our hopes. While we are waiting we beguile the time with jokes, with sleep, with eating and with crimes. What is the reason why we have such dedicated and diligent police officers such as yourself, Officer Cook? The answer is to fight crime and in order to fight this battle, you need the proper approaches and it's up to the citizens and the communities at large need to plan ahead along with their devoted crime fighters. Your resourcefulness my neighbor, friend and hero along with a compassion like no other and a passionate attitude to match help sway the scales of justice upward in a positive direction. I'd say yourself and those comrades of yours before you who heroically paid the ultimate price are icons for all future police officers to look up to and to admire. Rest in peace. People can sleep sounder, eat however they want and be a little more jovial, because of your sense of fair play coupled with your gregarious sense of humor when needed to lighten the atmosphere.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 9, 2014

All of us confront limits of body, talent, temperament. But that is not all. We are, all of us, also constrained by our time, our place, our civilization. We are bound by the culture we have in common, that culture which distinguishes us from other people in other times and places. Cultural constraints condition and limit our choices, shaping our characters with imperatives. All of us including our police officers, the many brave women and men who confront dilemmas and different situations in which they are asked to tackle and endeavor to resolve. Your resolve, Officer Cook, was one of boldness, that when combined with honesty and bravery made for one powerful combination. The rapport you had with the citizens certainly enhanced your chances each time out of being successful. The time and place plays a central role in how each problem can be rectified so that a peaceful solution will bring about the most accepted positive outcome that will only help serve a community will a level of freedom and unity. We all try to bring together all people from different backgrounds and that is and what was your central obligation while duly serving as a Metro-Dade Police Officer. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. In your time, Officer Cook, culture shock was nothing new, it still exists in our society today and your courage to conquer this is exactly why we have the chances to make our lives much more greater today as opposed to years past.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 8, 2014

Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall....and when you stick on conversation's burrs, don't strew your pathway with those dreadful words that do not make any sense. You were brought up, Officer Cook, speaking when spoken to and with a sense of purpose that which emanated from your lips. Your family can forever love you and treasure all the more the beautiful memories of a humble life well-lived and a police career well served with honor, dignity and all the integrity that law enforcement call upon from its own. Your messages were like a fresh head of lettuce, in that it was insightful, so sparkling that you could hardly notice the bitterness in it. Your sacrifice helped emancipate those residents still tied up in the bonds of evil and your bravery will standout for all generations to come. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Sometimes I could wonder how you could stay relatively calm when facing the wickedness head on. I know your comrades that day are forever grateful for what you did on their behalf, so too the citizens. Anytime you lay down your life for the betterment of society, we should all stop and take serious notice.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 8, 2014

Stop not, unthinking, every friend you meet to spin your wordy fabric in the street; while you are enjoying your colloquial pack, the fiend lumbago jumps upon his back. Just still hard to imagine the terror that day that was unleashed against you and your comrades, Officer Cook. Every person you encountered was as pleasant an experience as one can dream of. No fancy twenty-five dollars words had to be spoken. You could get your point across, Officer Cook, with a few simple expressions. It wasn't lumbago, more mental. It was a very disturbed young man looking for a quick fix to a more complex problem-dealing with his life as he visualized it. Your heroic action was as visual as it gets. Now the whole community where you served passionately and the entire country where all your colleagues go through the same channels to ensure peace and unity can be visualized as you guide them from heaven. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 8, 2014

The music that can reach the deepest and help to cure all is cordial speech. When you speak to someone, look on their eyes; when they speak to you, look toward their mouth. One has to grow up with good speech to form the habit of it. Officer Cook, you were a gentleman who did not mince words. Your refined and clean speech were gifts you acquired and since your parents raised you and Nancy, your sister with proper manners it's no wonder that you were revered by all. A police officer's lips can either raise their job performance to another level, or like loose lips that can sink ships, it can have a very devastating affect. Your calming voice has and continues this day to resonate very soundly within your division and in your department. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The fluidity of your soul continues its quest through God's heavenly abode as you patrol His golden streets keeping your keen eyes focused on the war of evil being waged on this earth. The heroism you displayed on May 16, 1979, has and always will be spoken about in the highest regard, one conversation that will never go silent.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 7, 2014

In conversation the idea is to say something new with old words and you shall observe a man of the people picking his way along, step by step, using every time an old boulder, yet never setting foot on an old place. As you were an excellent officer for the people of Dade County, Officer Cook, your measured your words, spoke calmly, softly and yet were able to convey a message to all. Sometimes today I i think this message is lost in the proper translation. You were a well spoken and traveled man in both the outdoors and during your service. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your reflective tones are sorely missed today.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 7, 2014

If we ever learn to treat the living with the tenderness with which we instinctively treat those who have passed from this world, we shall then have a civilization well worth distributing. It's still a shame that the American flag was taken from your grave, Officer Cook and the pinwheels that I placed down were broken in half, to shame a young man, a hero in spirit and in character, I hope I never see that happen again. You gave up too much for us for that to occur. Your family misses you, everyone misses you, whenever I visit your grave, I stop to pause and genuinely reflect back upon the life and career you excelled in through deeds and honorable speech. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, our mannerisms, our language should mirror that of your clean cut image. A gentleman with a tender heart.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 6, 2014