Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Life is March weather, savage and serene in one hour. And on May 16, 1979, the weather was hot and in five to to ten minutes of senseless violence that was perpetrated on society and those sworn brave men and women who are supposed to uphold the public trust, your life, Officer Cook, was taken, no one will know other than a troubled young man, depressed, who needed help looked to injury or take police officers lives. But make no mistake your heroism was like no other in Dade County. To this day, you were among a few officers who lost their life in the line of duty who were not required to answer a particular call as your shift was ending. You are never going to be forgotten for what you represented in this community. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Violence never has its place in society and thankfully inspired officers of your status of dignity, integrity and honor have crossed paths and tried to keep unity and peace reasonably attached.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 14, 2014

We live amid surfaces and the true art of life is to skate well on them. Life consists in what man is thinking of all day. The life of man is the true romance, which, when it is valiantly conducted, will yield the imagination a higher joy than any fiction. I can truly say, Officer Cook and so can your loving family members that you more than scooted around Dade County persevering and protecting its residents. The quality of your life was indicated by the outpouring of love and support from not only your fellow comrades, but those civilians, not just those you saved from certain peril. A true blessing and a Godsend you are missed by all and this is validated by the fact that you went to a scene you went to many times to solve and to stop an escalation of violence and to make peace and unity a reality. This will never be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your mind was like a calculator, working twenty-four hours a day, your generosity bountiful, your dignity, integrity, priceless and your sense of humor and that great big smile infectious.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 11, 2014

Life is a series of surprises. We do not guess today the mood, the pleasure, the power of tomorrow, when we are building up our being. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. In any profession including police work, one is bound to find some moments of surprise, hopefully not too many pitfalls. We live each day for the present, nothing is guaranteed for tomorrow. I would like to think your twenty-five years, Officer Cook, were spent properly and with the highest level of devotion and motivation. I know they were and anyone who knew you would concur with this statement. Thirty-five years is about to come, as the anniversary of your untimely death approaches, but you are still remembered for the service and comfort you brought to others. I'm sure you may have experimented from time to time on the job looking for fresher ideas on how to get a handle on a dilemma that for certain may have been perplexing. Your heroism leaves no one perplexed as they knew you to be the solid police officer whose commendable achievements are going to be remembered as legendary. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 10, 2014

Life is a festival only to the wise. Seen from the nook and chimney side of prudence, it wears a ragged and dangerous front. You relished your life, Officer Cook, as I'm sure all people would. Your career and passion were something you must have dreamed about becoming since your youth and you stayed the course to undertake what most citizens would regard as very dangerous. But like all police officers, you did your job with a real zest and served Dade county with the absolute resolve to be the most honorable gentleman one could aspire to be. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 10, 2014

I apologize again, Officer Cook. I never cried in your mother-in-law's home it was in your parents home and your niece Gina comforted me. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. I'm sure Mr. and Mrs. Toussel would have understood how I felt just as your mother did. A person of your dignity living here in North Miami Beach, Florida would have been like a breath of fresh air. It is the quality of the person and you were a gentleman with a soul and heart to match.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 8, 2014

I meant to say, Officer Cook, that every obligation carries with it a solemn dedication and a determination that must not be undermined. It's sadly when this sacred oath you and many others told was done in by violence. As a loyal and fiercely devoted public servant, you did all you could do and the niche that you created must never be broken. You served Dade County excellently and for this you'll always be fondly remembered. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 8, 2014

Yet we have gone on living, living and partly living. My life is not an apology, but a life. It is for itself and not for a spectacle. I much prefer that it should be of a lower strain, so it be genuine and equal, than it should be glittering and unsteady. We have all tried to keep living, Officer Cook, even for want you meant as an individual, a gentleman, loving and humble. A darling son to your devoted and loving parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cook. To your big sister, Nancy and to your beloved wife, Karen. Yes indeed you lived your life as a true hero and made it your affair to check on your mother before or after your shift. I can't say anything finer than that. You cared, putting forth a tireless effort to maintain, law and order with a giant sense of dignity and integrity in the Dade County community where you remain and are forever revered. We carry on your ideals, principles and values so essential to keeping firm the core of decorum, something all officers are supposed to hold tightly to that badge they carry on their chests and the uniform they not only proudly wear, but faithfully as well. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Life goes on seems nothing strange, don't quite comprehend this phrase. Life sure has changed since you untimely death, but your sacrifice endeavors to bring things back into both focus and in prospective.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 8, 2014

I have a rendezvous with life in days I hope will come. Every youth has speed ans strength of mind, every voice sweet.... though wet, not blow, nor space, I fear, yet fear I deeply, too, lest death should greet and chain me, I keep life's rendezvous. None meet life honestly and few heroically. That it will never come again is what makes life so sweet. Only a life lived for others is the life worth while. Sure enough, we all have a calling and a destiny. Police officers, firefighters have this inner calling to serve and to protect the public and this trust is quite sacred. The oath you took, Officer Cook, is and was just this way. You had the right tools, the really right intentions to go out each day in the Dade County community and to be able to handle the rigors of an occupation so demanding. You lived humbly in North Miami Beach and the Norland area as a hero and for six very dedicated and talented years you were one of the very finest police officers who worn the uniform with humility and the honor that it so demands. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. God took you to your rendezvous with other courageous men and women whose dictates called for the same honor as you observed.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 7, 2014

A man said to the universe sir, I exist. However, replied the universe, the fact has not created in me a sense of obligation. People were and are being created to carry a specific purpose in this world. And this is to take the holy blueprint that God gave us and to utilize the opportunity to make this a more safe and vitally prosperous society. This is why we have the many fine and dedicated police officers such as yourself, Officer Cook, you were very blessed indeed to carry out and perform a profession, a calling that is considered dangerous for most people to train, learn and to be at the very least honest and dignified to utilize that very blueprint each of us were given. You can be very certain your loving parents, sister, wife and other family members loved you greatly, miss you and your wit and sense of humor that when combined elicited a very hearty laugh. But when it came time to keep your watch, you were as serious as they come. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Every obligation carries with it a dedication and determination that must not undermined.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 7, 2014

Whosoever does not see that genuine life is a battle and a march has poorly read his origin and his destiny. Life proceeds on long after those who paid the ultimate prices for ours to continue. We have marches all over the country, bike races to in order to celebrate the lives of our lost saviors. I know if they have not had one, then it's high time they had a road race dedicated in your honor, Officer Cook. They come together from all around the country in our nation's capital to celebrate your desire, dignity and courage in fighting a battle against evil that seems to continue dogging our country and great land, that because of your honorable passions, we can further reap and sow, walk or run, go outdoors or stay in an air conditioned area, whatever we choose because of the decisions you made as a young man to enter the police profession. And they don't come anymore genuine than yourself. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. All lives have a calling and a destiny that we do not necessarily get to choose, God determines our lots in life, walking God's golden streets as His loyal and humble servant, Officer Cook, has and will forever be where you assist with watching over those involved in dispatching justice and seeing that wickedness winds itself out of commission for good.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 6, 2014

There are only two or three human stories and they go on repeating themselves as fiercely as if they had never happened before. And it's the more than twenty-one thousand stories of the many brave men and women of law enforcement who fought the fiercest of battles. In Dade County alone, more than one-hundred forty police officers, including yourself, Officer Cook, went out into your community risking everything for our protection. Your story and those of other fine officers deserve mentioning over and over. It's tragic when they give up their lives, but you'll always be a hero through and through, your legacy stands for fairness and equality. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. In North Miami beach where you grew up, your life, career and the lessons that can be applied never grow old, they bear repetition.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 6, 2014

I am convinced that the world is not a mere bog in which men and women trample themselves in the mire and die. something magnificent is taking place here amid the cruelties and tragedies and the supreme challenge to intelligence is that of making the noblest and best in our curious heritage prevail. I am sure that all the fine work you did while in this world, Officer Cook, will never go unnoticed. It has become our challenge indeed to understand how a nobler individual with a vast and keen sense of maturity and great wisdom performed wisely and calmly under pressures that police officers face daily. If we could unlock these reasons, we may finally comprehend exactly what you meant to this world and why things are a bit brighter for us all. Your wit, sense of humor and wonderful skills unlocked many new doors for some, for others the challenge remains to figure out how to begin to tap into these resources. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 5, 2014

One must have lived greatly whose record would bear the full light of day from beginning to its close. We sleep, but the loom of life never stops and the pattern which was weaving when the sun went down is weaving when it comes up tomorrow. First and foremost, it's the quiet dignity of a life lived so honorably, Officer Cook. You placed your loving family and magnificently humble career in God's golden hands as you touched upon many lives in your twenty-five years of faithfully serving both God and your department. The sun rises and sets and the citizens of Dade County are greeted by this event because of your unselfishly heroic act on May 16, 1979. Your soul is in heaven, even though we all would like for you to be still here with us. It's these humble performances and the ultimate sacrifice that you and your comrades have made, life may a struggle, but I know you are watching and assisting us if the paths we walk down get a little too narrow. You can widen our pathways of our pursuits and it can only be because of what you meant to this community where you are forever honored and cherished so much. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Sunrise, sunset your commitment lessened the threat of evil a bit, your soul will always stay lit. Your bright smile will forever stay with not just for a while.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 5, 2014

Liberty does not consist...in mere declarations of the rights of man. it consists in the translation of those declarations into definite actions. "A free field and no favor." Police officers as most of us look at them at those expertly trained brave men and women who mesh their talents together to create a department, a division and a unit that can work together cohesively to maintain proper law and order, as well as peace, freedom and dignity in any community where its residents have the rights to do whatever they choose to so long as it confines itself to the law. And you were among these brave souls, Officer Cook, who went out on patrol in order to make this occur. Your stellar life and consummate career are the reasons why we have what we have today. The playing field was made level by your wonderful care and consideration for all folks. A truly loving and articulate gentleman who made law enforcement matter. You helped all of us stay the course. Now what we can do is try a bit harder each day to make those dreams of yours continue to take hold in a community that revered you and your family. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your engaging demeanor meshed so divinely within your department and division and will never stop any kind words from coming your way, you so deserved every honor that now comes your way as our hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 5, 2014

When liberty is taken away by force it can be restored by force. When it is relinquished voluntarily by default it can never be recovered. Liberty, when it begin to take root, is a plant of rapid growth. Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable. Liberty is something you cannot have unless you are willing to give it to others. As I've said not only civilians have freedoms, but the many brave men and women who expose themselves at all times trying to maintain a saneness in their community. You had these freedoms too, Officer Cook and tragically they were taken from, but your heroism and valor will always stand out front. You gave so much to the Dade County community and its citizens, it's still hard to come to grips and yet life goes on. You smiled and yet maintained a serious demeanor when the time and place called for it. There are no free rides, your commitment to duty has summoned us to think regarding how we act or react to a situation as you would have done during your watch. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The words on your gravestone-"We Shall Be One" have now taken on a more serious meaning when me make a choice of choosing that which is moral and proper versus evil and condescending.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 2, 2014

Our reliance is in the love of liberty which God has planted in us. Our defense is in the spirit which primed liberty as the heritage of all people, in all lands everywhere. Destroy this spirit and you have planted the seeds of despotism at your door. Familiarize yourselves with the chains of bondage and you prepare your own two limbs to wear them. Accustomed to trample on the rights of others, you have lost the genius of your own independence and become fit subjects of the first cunning tyrant who rises among you. We the people of this great land of the United States of America have grown accustomed to having diligent, honest, dignified and caring law enforcement professionals, the many courageous and brave women and men who have made the commitment, some paid the ultimate sacrifice to keep unity and freedom in their community a living reality. Those officers such as yourself, Officer Cook, who cared a great deal an done who went over and beyond the calls of duty, now have your comrades and loving family members stand guard over your legacy that left an indelible imprint on the community you loved serving and left at too young an age with so much more to attain. We relied on your infinite wisdom to guide us through the turbulent times and you were there for us. Nothing can place a damper on your wonderful and beautiful spirit that now and forever floats high above keeping tabs on all the happenings. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, your physical being served us in strength and now your spirit that God has taken to the next world serves as a holier stabilizing force among those many colleagues who were willing to pay the ultimate price for liberty to maintain itself and evil to be put in its proper venue.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 2, 2014

During the holiday of Passover, and I hope your family enjoyed a Happy Easter and to you, Mrs. Cook, I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I was the substitute Rabbi out by Century Village in Pembroke Pines, Florida. I gave five sermons, two were titled A left-handed complement, clear restraint an deja views. The first had to do with the Jewish people, since two of your former neighbors, the Oliphants and the Coopermans were of the faith. Basically it was a story of how Sandy Koufax who pitched for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers was treated by his late manager, Walter Alston. When the Jewish people were exiled in slavery they were treated very rudely. You my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer cook, always dealt with all persons in a dignified and honest fashion. If you lectured someone, it was only for their care and safety. A message of clear restraint falls within the realm of policework, because of the tensions and riots that would befall Dade County citizens after your untimely passing. You took the actions on May 16, 1979, only after you heard shots, saw Officer DiGenova fall out of the Nova and were defending yourself, your partner, your comrade, Officer Edgerton and those three civilians. You sure were a mighty excellent officer and a most respected member of both your division and department. The patches on your arm said District two, but we all realize you were their number asset and a most resourceful police officer. There were never any back handed things that ever emanated from your lips, God certainly has a truly remarkable and treasured angel among His midst who now has been charged with observing the activities of all those brave men and women who have taken over your watch and attempt to be the finest officer, most down to earth and caring person that you grew up to become, Officer Cook. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your family would have appreciated the inspirational messages that I imparted on the congregants. No one relishes using their weapons other than on the target range, your heroic action brought about the change in a community that was surely yearning for it. Your life, the sacrifices and commitments you made, Officer Cook, stand as humbly as the new edifices that have been erected in the Liberty City area because of your professional preoccupation to its citizens and their needs and concerns. Don't know if you were a lefty or righty, I would loved to have played some tennis with you.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 1, 2014

Today is the annual Metropolitan Miami-Dade Police Memorial where you and over one-hundred and forty comrades will be honored for your bravery and commitment to duty. A "forced retirement" was not something any family of a deserving and dedicated law enforcement officer should ever have to come to grips with. You were that kind of intellectually distinguished officer as well as a gentleman literally and figuratively. With a big kind-hearted personality, it is easy to comprehend why you were so well-liked and cherished by all. Officer Cook, you were the very lovable, humble and consummate professional whose standards of conduct demonstrated no only your skillset, but the necessary integrity and alacrity needed to carry out the rigors of an occupation that so demand this from all of its officers and agencies. I wonder if your partner that day, Reserve Officer Scott Lincoln still works for the department or has retired. it is always an asset to have a partner and yet sometimes we understand the job must be maintained by working solo. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 1, 2014

The boisterous sea of liberty is never without a wave. Liberty in the wild and freakish hands of fanatics has once more, as frequently in the past, proved the effective helpmate of autocracy and the twin brother of tyranny. Liberty without learning is always in peril and learning without liberty is always in vain. In one of the last reflections, Officer Cook, I meant to say that your watch was about to conclude and you still maintained a vigilance in the community looking after our lives. It can be difficult and brutal at times in any community and this is why we have highly trained, motivated and dedicated officers such as yourself, Officer Cook, to help weed out evil from good. I don't know how the rest of your day went but after 2:00 pm things got a little escalated in the Liberty City part of Dade County and lo and behold you and your partner were there to assist though not dispatched, you went down giving every ounce of your strength in a legal manner to stem the tide. Your faithfulness and heroics helped remove tyranny, bring about a liberty to that community like no other before. A young man bent on evil, deserting the Army, his only mark on his record, but certainly things got heated and you my neighbor, friend and hero came through with flying colors saving your comrades and those civilians. A grateful community will never forget you, my family and I surely will not forget. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 30, 2014

Good fortune could be described as number one: being in the right place. Number two: the time of the event and number three: the proper usage of language. All three of these events help to frame an event. Every single law enforcement officer who has given their life in the name of justice and truth has had these traits appear when they took the necessary actions to stop something horrific from unfolding. You were a very blessed gentleman, Officer Cook. Despite the fact that your watch was able to conclude, there you were still lending a hand assisting your fellow officers. Dade County cannot thank you enough for stepping in heroically to ensure that the required security remained intact for its citizens. God's divine intervention just shined down from above, your loss has been felt today just as much as it was thirty-five years ago. Every person has a destiny and I believe, Officer Cook, since you were very devout in your faith, that Our Creator took your beautiful soul to an even greater height to assist Him in watching over the safety of all police officers who succeeded you in looking out for the residents freedoms. We did not want you to leave us, as I've said before, you still had more greatness to fulfill in this world. Police officers function twenty-four hours a day seven days a week, they do get days off from time to time. Having reached the pinnacle of achievement and paying the most dearest price for us to maintain or lives, let it be known you always will be well thought of and your legacy deserves to be continued through the deeds of both your loving family and comrades. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, continue reaching down here to take the pulse of those continuing their movements toward goodness that will one day triumph over wickedness.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 29, 2014

The meticulous preparation all police officers undergo during their basic training allows them to remained unbiased and to be able to solve problems before they become even greater. A man of intellect, an officer of high esteem based on the intelligence you garnered through your daily preparations enabled you, Officer Cook, to go out level-headed each and every moment of your watch channeling good will, peace and unity into Dade County. All it takes is a drop of reasoning to make the residents feel more safe and secure. Your diligence was directed to every facet of all citizens regardless of their race, ethnicity or background. Back in your day, it took a lot of self-control to be able to go out and solve disputes before they reached the zenith of violence and on the day you sacrificed your being for others to live, we all witnessed the superiority of greatness and humility working in unison as partners as you and Reserve Officer Scoot Lincoln did that very day. You taught us a big lesson, Officer Cook and the blackboard shall always bear the chalk marks of what you left for us to view. Nothing needs erasing, for we know what you pursued with the class and credit that will always come to you. A very loyal and faithful servant, rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 29, 2014

There is no such thing as a small deception, an insignificant theft or a tiny fib, God is the God of truth, His seal or insignia is truth. The uniform your wore and displayed to all citizens, Officer Cook, stood for reason, resolve, integrity and reliability. All characteristics you graced this community with. A man of truth and valor tied to your heroics can only make your humble legacy stand out even more. Your soul shines that much more brightly and the message that you imparted to us is to stay the course. Be honest in your efforts and accountable to all. Resolve with a soothing calmness all you can resolve, usually this way appeals to most who place their trust in your service and dedication to protecting their best interests. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The life and career you pursued was one solely based on truth and dignity that came from your lips. Mr. and Mrs. Cook, for never having had the pleasure to meet you, your son and daughter, I can see where they get their class from and how it allowed them to reach the pinnacle of success. Your courageous and brave son won't ever be forgotten.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 29, 2014

Words of blame, easy to say, they trip off the tongue more easily than just about anything else. Since it gets me no farther to blame others and makes me not a bit happier, I'll try to look only to myself for the answers to my problems. Obviously, most of us who read the accounts of what happened to you, Officer Cook, on May 16, 1979, feel touched by your tragic passing. You stoically stood in their for our safety and made sure to save the lives of your grateful comrades and the three civilians who were involved in that domestic dispute. One can never go wrong when our brave men and women of the law enforcement profession step in and try to avert further mayhem to the community they serve and protect with all their might. Metro-Dade Police Officer William C. Cook, Badge#1664 was just that special kind of loyal individual and a servant of God unafraid to step and lend an assist whenever the time came as it did that day. Always well spoken. Always considerate and caring. Your heroics changed the landscape of Dade County and sadly you are not here today to witness those many changes that have taken place because of your dignified and determined watch. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You took your career seriously and challenged other officers to do the same. That is and was why you were the consummate leader and team professional. The citizens always and only knew you had their best interests on your radar screen. I know they are and were grateful. It brought them solace when they saw your smiling face in your squad car.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 28, 2014

No people ever lost their liberties unless they themselves first became corrupt....The people are the safeguards of their own liberties and I rely wholly on them to guard themselves. We relied on your intuition, Officer Cook, to guide us through both the brightest and darkest of days. Your purpose helped us all stay the course. A path driven to excel and accomplish only positive things. The hero you were and continue to forever be to all will only insure what we can label as the best of times. Keep looking down and send your blessings from above. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You will be always our very first safeguard against the corruption that seems to keep cropping up.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 27, 2014

What -light is to the eyes-what air is to the lungs-what love is to the heart, liberty is to the soul of man. Without liberty, the brain is a dungeon, where the chained thoughts die with their pinions pressed against the hingeless doors. It was a very sad day indeed, Officer Cook, when you were just performing your job without the utmost honor and bravery, when you had your life taken, our lungs had the air sucked out of them, our hearts raced faster then ever and our eyes shut, just pondering why this had to happen to such a conscientious and compassionate human being. Thanks to your resolve, liberty continues from those who use it both wisely and intelligently. There is no slavery but ignorance. Liberty is the child of intelligence something you mastered and wonderfully beyond your twenty-five years here in this world. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 27, 2014