Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Man must be doing something, or fancy that he is doing something, for in him throbs the creative impulse; the mere basking in the sunshine is not a natural, but an abnormal man. What the world eminently requires is some wise adjustment, some remodeling of the social machinery, diminishing its friction whereby every person willing to work shall assuredly have work to do and the just reward of that work in the articles most essential to his sustenance and comfort. run, if you like, but try to keep your breath; work like a man, but don't be worked to death. You did something very special indeed, Officer Cook and as I've said many times, not many would dare to enter this profession. And this is exactly why you and twenty-one thousand other fine and upstanding men and women took on the challenge and showed swift boldness to the calls of action. You did not just react impulsively on May 16, 1979, you responded swiftly and with a cause, a purpose to achieve peace and unity to a community that at the time was crying out for this. The sacrifice you made my neighbor, friend and hero, forever changed the landscape of Dade County's fine residents. You made things happen. You made things matter. Rest in peace. Police departments are like one well oiled machine, they need tuning up and some minor tweaks once in a while. You ran right to a dispute you answered many other times, wished we could have run to you sooner to try and do something for your sake.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 23, 2014

Diligence is the mother of good luck and God gives all things to industry. Then plow deep while sluggards sleep and you shall have corn to sell and to keep. The eye of the master will do more work than both His hands. People work together I tell them from the heart, whether they work together or apart. To love what you do and feel that it matters-how could anything be more fun? The truth about many of today's police officers is I think for the most part they try to be diligent and honorable, you just have to try and weed out the rotten apples who shame and disgrace their departments and the uniforms they don with dignity and integrity. The uniform you proudly wore, Officer Cook, stood for this much more. You carried yourself with bravery, courage and valor that can't be duplicated by others. Badge#1664, your badge stood for something pretty special, all we have to do is go back and look at your police employee jacket. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 23, 2014

It is not work that people object to, but the element of drudgery. We must drive out drudgery wherever we find it. We shall never be wholly civilized until we remove the treadmill from the daily job. He that rises late must trot all day and shall scarcely overtake his business at night. Police work can be drudgery at times, in fact many different elements play into the equation of what it takes to become an honest and resourceful police officer. You possessed these fine qualities and because of your unwavering characteristics, Officer Cook, we the citizens of Dade County can sleep more peacefully by day and at night. You worked all shifts and having worked a job at night, it can definitely take its toll on one's body and mind. Imagine the stress working the so called"graveyard shift." I worked by the way as a dispatcher for the Postal Service. Not too often, would I get written up for missing a piece or a few green bags of mail. I'm thinking this is not a police job where you need a certain amount of sleep before undertaking your official duties to be able to maintain a certain stress level. Obviously, you were superior in all your duties and won't be overlooked for having made the ultimate sacrifice to make Dade County better for everyone. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 23, 2014

I look on that man as happy, who, when there is question of success, looks into his work for a reply. You certainly were a very vibrant, healthy, happy and content young man, Officer Cook, we do not need to look further than the heavens above for one day an answer might come as to why your life and career were cut short by someone bent on violence thinking this would change the ways of the world. With honesty and clarity we can safely say that the sum of wisdom is, that the time is never lost that is devoted to work. As I scan and look after these reflections for other officers as brave as you, I'm bamboozled as to why these situations occur to fine upstanding and courageous women and men in law enforcement. Accidents do happen, but one must refrain and know when to discharge one's own weapon. The wisdom must be properly served in order for justice, peace and unity to take hold. God is making sure everything takes hold as He watches over you and others so marvelous in their pursuits and totally dedicated and determined to put forth an honest effort. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Still hard to imagine you being gone all these years, but I'll never forget you!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 23, 2014

There is no substitute for hard work. What is the hardest task in the world? To think. The high prize of life, the crowning fortune of man, is to be born with a bias to some pursuit which finds him in employment and happiness. There is no subbing for a hard, loyal and dedicated worker. You were that kind of police officer, Officer Cook, fearless and determined to a tee. There is no prize other than being honest, dignified and having large doses of integrity. All these traits are essential when carrying out the arduous assignment of serving and protecting Dade County residents. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 21, 2014

One of the chief arguments used in support of the policy of an open shop is that every man has an inalienable and constitutional right to work. I have never found that in the Constitution. Every person has a right to pursue a career of their choice. And every person is guaranteed the right to life including duly sworn police officers who may sometime during their careers be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice, God forbid. The Constitution gives us the right to bear arms, but not to abuse that privilege. Officer Cook, a depressed young man living with three generations of his family members and who deserted the Army took your young life. people are depressed, people are desperate, but that does not mean one can go out into society, rob a bank or in cold-blood gun down police officers who are compensated to perform a very dangerous profession that most of us would not enter into. But you were a very intelligent and most responsible individual who should be highly commended for standing eye to eye with the evil that stands out still in our world and you courageously endeavored to quell a bad situation. You be forever remembered for your great valor and bravery beyond any shadow of a doubt. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. We would all agree that on May 16, 1979, Officer William C. Cook, Badge#1664 performed as heroically as one can perform and you too tragically had your rights violated because of a callous and heinous action perpetrated against yourself, your division and department. An entire nation and community greatly suffered from your loss, your wonderful and loving family, colleagues and friends outside of your department.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 20, 2014

It is the mind which does the work of the world, so that the more there is of the mind, the more work will be accomplished. A truly American sentiment recognizes the dignity of labor and the fact that honor lies in honest toil. You toiled mightily for us, Officer Cook and Dade County residents could not have been any happier with your superiority. Police officers earn their living, earn their stripes, their promotions they may pursue by being honest, hard-working and intuitive. Their mental and physical capacities must both be on par and functioning as one if crime is going to be taken out of the equation. Good women and men have fought the battles through the centuries, the decades, the years and yet we find evil still lurking out in any given city, town, village and community here in the United States of America, land of the free and home of the brave. It is the humblest of men and women like yourself, Officer Cook, whose willingness to accomplish whatever the task or assignment you were given in an effort to bring matters to a peaceful conclusion. And it's our heroines and heroes whose bravery in the line of duty that highlights their lives and careers and has assisted with unity and peace coming together. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. American labor is the capital of our workingmen and women, since women have too played a large role in our achievements.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 20, 2014

Whatever I must engage in, I must push inordinately. It is mind which does the work of the world, so that the more is of mind, the more work will be accomplished. Whatever you worked at, Officer Cook, you pushed your principles and prevailed and this is the reason why Dade County has changed, your unselfishness, your charisma enabled Dade residents to be able to pursue that which makes them happy and well. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 19, 2014

When God wanted sponges and oysters, He made them and put one on a rock and the other in the mud. When He made man, He did not make him to be a sponge or oyster; He made him with feet and hands and head, heart and vital blood and a place to use them and said to him "Go work!" In the ordinary business of life industry can do anything which genius can do and very many things which it cannot. I do most of my work sitting down; that's where I shine. Speaking of oysters, Officer Cook, you were a pearl and gem of a man and a dignified police officer. I'm sure you were on your feet more often than sitting to write your police reports. Your ingenuity allowed others to aspire to even greater heights. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 19, 2014

Truth is a jewel which should not be painted over; but it may be set to advantage and shown in a good light. We shall seek the truth and endure the consequences. Nothing from a man and woman's hands, nor law, nor constitution, can be final. Truth alone is final. It takes two to speak the truth-one to speak and another to hear. Truth is the most valuable thing we have. Let us economize it. There is nothing so powerful as truth; and often nothing so strange. Falsehoods which we spurn today were the truths of long ago; let the dead boughs fall away, fresher shall the living grow. Any officer who gives their life for their communities are the true heroes and heroes, crowned jewels of their departments whose courage and bravery were the diamonds who stood ready to do whatever needed to be done. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 19, 2014

The best of us only pass from one in accuracy to another and so do the worst, but on the whole, the last inaccuracy is nearer the truth than the old one. The truth survives, the untruth perishes. men and women have but little capacity for the recognition of truth at first sight and of a hundred things which seem plausible, it is fortunate if one be true. Hence it is well that all things should be held at arm's length and stand the scrutiny of our prejudices and interests, of our religion and our skepticism. The finest police officers, the bravest, yourself, Officer Cook, you were astute, you were brave, you were courageous and courteous, you were valiant and resourceful, you were honest, this has to be at the top and priority number one if you are going to take a bite out of crime and make an impact in the streets in the city and county and its community where you were known, revered and respected by its people. You were dignified, possessed plenty of integrity that was a central core of determining how well you could lead other men and women. Your passion and unequaled maturity, dedication and determination and leadership skills were central in all of the dynamic changes that have taken place since your sacrifice nearly thirty-five years ago. Love should prevail, evil shall fall and be eradicated finally as should bigotry, racism and prejudice which should serve to unite and bring the community together in freedom and in peace so its residents can pursue their goals, dreams and aspirations that you too should have had the continued ability to do so. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Any officer's success should always be in excess and never any less.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 19, 2014

Inquiry is human; blind obedience brutal. truth never loses by the one but often suffers by the other. It is the nature of truth in general, as of some ores in particular, to be richest when most superficial. Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth. You never turned a blind eye, Officer Cook, when someone needed assistance. Loved by all, you performed humbly and heroically and now your goodness resides in God's heavenly abode where you patrol His golden streets. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. How you lived your life is how you have been remembered. Fortune and fame were not how you performed, finesse and a calming voice enabled you to go about your profession with all the confidence in the world.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 18, 2014

Mystery is the antagonist of truth. It is a fog of human invention that obscures truth and represents it in distortion. Truth never yet fell dead in the streets; it has such affinity with the soul of man, the seed however broadcast will catch somewhere and produce its hundredfold. One brave officer who sought truth and never wronged anyone valiantly laid down his life for Dade County on May 16, 1979, Officer Cook, you were the kind of inspirational police officer who other colleagues sought advice from. The seeds of your labor have planted some of Dade County's most dynamic changes that have been felt in the community today. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Sure is a mystery that just lingers with some of us today, why? After all aren't police officers supposed to go above and beyond the bounds of their responsibilities? The young man who took your young life, Officer Cook, had a heart and soul, yet what possessed him to act the way in which he did, we probably will never ever know. Very sad indeed! But your heroism lives on in your family, friends and colleagues. Let's hope those who took over your watch, do so with the same honor and truth as you carried while proudly wearing Metro-Dade Police Department's uniform.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 18, 2014

The smallest atom of truth represents some man's bitter toil and agony; for every ponderable chunk of it there is a brave truth- seeker's grave and someone who did not tell the truth who will be judged accordingly by Our Creator. Such is the irresistible nature of truth that all it asks and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing. All we the citizens expect is that our police officers act honesty and properly. Do your very best to serve and protect, act like you belong in your department and division. Engage others in open dialogue and attempt to resolve situations to the best of your abilities. This was something you practiced and preached, Officer Cook, because of how you responded that day and for all your prior high quality of work performed in an ethical manner, that was done with only the highest amount of dignity and integrity, has God allowed your soul to rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 18, 2014

The truth is America's most potent weapon. We cannot enlarge upon the truth. But we can and must intensify our efforts to make the truth more shining. The American people have a right to the truth as they have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is not right that they be exploited and deceived with false views of life, false characters, false sentiment, false morality, false history, false philosophy, false emotions, false heroism, false notions of self-sacrifice, false views of religion, of duty, of conduct and manners. The truth about police officers is not so much about their guns, tasers and the handcuffs they carry. It is about the uniform they wear and those police badges that are humbly pinned to their chests by their family members upon completing the police academy and now they are ready, willing and able to patrol the streets of their communities with dignity, integrity, boldness and alacrity. All the necessary ingredients that composed your makeup, Officer Cook and you never left home, that of your loving parents nor that of your home with Karen, your beloved wife. Never any showmanship or false bravado, only the highest standards of police work and heroic bravery above and beyond the calls of duty and of reproach. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 17, 2014

Get but the truth once uttered and it's like a newborn star that drops into its place and which once circling in its placid round, not all the tumult of the earth can shake. Truth after all wears a different face to everybody and it would be too tedious to wait until all were agreed. Style will find readers and shape convictions, while mere truth only gathers dust on the shelf. I do not fear to follow out the truth, albeit along the precipice's edge. You only worked, ate, slept and lived your life and wonderful police career, Officer Cook, with honor and the truth dripping from your lips like honey. What emanated from your lips was like polished diamonds, it spoke volumes. Police officers, all officers do not work on style points, it's not the flash and eccentricity that works for both you and those you protect, rather it is the manner by which you utilize safety and proper techniques to secure the results, solutions to the problems in your community that need solving and this is why you were well respected and were the humble leader who easily took to having men and women work not just with you, but under command. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 17, 2014

We cannot sever right from wrong; some falsehood mingles with all truth. Who dares to say that he alone has found the truth? One who speaks the truth stabs falsehood in the heart. The nimble lie is like the second-hand upon a clock; we see it fly, while the hour-hand of truth seems to stand still and yet it moves unseen and wins at last, for the clock will not strike until it has reached the goal. You enabled people to separate right from wrong, Officer Cook. Your valor helped people make correct choices based upon their needs. Time unfortunately cannot stand still, it keeps marching on as your very wonderful soul marches to its very unique beat above us in God's golden arches, the gates where you and your fellow comrades who committed their lives in bravery await others so bold and courageous who risk their lives to make peace a priority in this world. Our hearts were torn out by your loss, your loving family, comrades and friends, but they realize how beloved and treasured you were. They know a hero when they see one. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 16, 2014

The truth is sometimes a poor competitor in the market place of ideas-complicated, unsatisfying, full of dilemmas, always vulnerable to misinterpretation and abuse. Truth is usually the best vindication against slander. I believe it is an established maxim in morals that he who makes an assertion without knowing whether it is true or false is guilty of falsehood and the accidental truth of the assertion does not justify or excuse him. A young man's poor judgment, any person's poor judgment does not ever excuse wanton mayhem that is exhibited on any duly sworn police officer. And what transpired on May 16, 1979, was the reason, Officer Cook, that you truly were one inspirational hero. The morals you were raised with stayed with you until your last breath. They never left your sight. Problem with some police officers today is that they are blinded by the scent of a wrong that they are supposed to refrain from and then things from there seem to snowball upon them. The truth lies within the playing field, the community that you are supposed to serve and protect suddenly becomes completely unbalanced and the citizens don't know who to turn to in signs of trouble. Dade County knew exactly who to count on when the going got tough and the heat was turned up a notch. Officer William C. Cook, Badge#1664 was just the person who swiftly and unselfishly went to bat for the residents. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 16, 2014

Ignorance is preferable to error; and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing, than he who believes what is wrong. We are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it. On the day you lost your life in the line of duty, Officer Cook, we still can not say why things happened the way they did, but the truth of the matter is that you voluntarily answered a call that you went to many times, you performed supremely well, a young man who had troubles that needed help just wanted to go out of this world not the way one would leave it. Truth be said if the police could have investigated this man a little further things might not have turned out the way they did. But, you, Officer Cook, were sure of what you had to do to save your comrades and those civilians and heroically went over and beyond the call of duty to secure peace in that area. You'll never be forgotten, ignorance illustrates our need to further educate the public and this is exactly why police officers receive the special basic training that assists them when out on patrol. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 16, 2014

There is no worse lie than a truth misunderstood by those who hear it. It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. The truth to put it very briefly, is only the expedient in the way of our thinking, just as the right is only the expedient in the way of our behaving. The truth is character and perception in daily police work do go hand in hand. Quality and honor represent the makeup our sworn law enforcement officers who stand ready and willing to do whatever is necessary to protect and to serve our not only best interests, but our vital ones too. You were among forty-two Metro-Dade Police Officers, who made the ultimate sacrifice Officer Cook, your assertiveness and astuteness is our way to ascertain your bravery and boldness in reacting to our calls for help. For this you surely will forever be remembered. You stood for right, it took all your might to fight the fight against evil and you prevailed. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 16, 2014

Truth in its struggles for recognition, passes through four distinct stages. First, we say it is damable, dangerous, disorderly and will surely disrupt society. Second, we declare it is heretical, infidellic and contrary to which ever Bible you believe in, either the Old or the New Testament. Third, we say it is really a matter of no importance either one way or the other. Fourth, it is whatever we have upheld and believed in. You believed, Officer Cook, in the truth and this never steered you down the wrong road. That day of May 16, 1979, you and your partner that day, Reserve Officer Scott Lincoln were driving on patrol near the end of your watch you heard two numbers called out on your radio and responded in the best way possible. Your heroic measures, Officer Cook, saved your colleague sand the citizens involved in that dispute, but you were the hero that we've all known to respect and to honor your memory. Truth lies at the end of the circle, well it lies forever etched in all of Dade County's memories at NW 12th Ct. and NW 77th Terrace. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The truth regarding honest men and women like yourself, Officer Cook, is that you lit the torch of truth, justice and freedom the American way.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 16, 2014

Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; you may kick it about all day, like a football and it will be round and full at evening. The best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market. An untruth sometimes travels at the speed of light, while truth goes slowly at times and gets ditched at the first stop. The trouble with the truth is that one must sometimes untangle it like a spider's web. Yet our society lives by this creed and how else can its citizens thrive and only prosper when the truth sets one free in the sense they we may pursue our pleasures only when a sense of fair play exists. Officer Cook, our spirits may be down because you were unwilling to ever deal with others in dishonesty, God forbid. You were a man, an officer whose life and career were only centered around truth and justice, stirred by your passion, compassion, and a both calming and soothing tone of voice. I think like my dad, who was a New York City police officer, he only used his weapon just once from what I was told, you too probably did not use your weapon that much. Matter of fact, I was told that my dad had a colleague who could not hit the targets, don't know how they could patrol the streets. This is all part of your basic training. You had no choice, Officer Cook, on May 16, 1979, you had to use your weapon to defend yourself, your partner and your colleagues from this young man and you performed beyond the call of duty. Life has its moments, we may never know why or what precipitated this man to act the way he did. You would think living with three generations of his family might have helped him get his life straightened out. At least I got to kick a soccerball with your great-nephew, Legend in your mother's backyard. It would have certainly been a moment to treasure to see you throw footballs to your great-nieces and to your great-nephew. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 13, 2014

Most of the change we think we see in life is due to truths being in and out of favor. It is astonishing what force, purity and wisdom it requires for a human being to keep clear of falsehood. he who sees the truth, let him proclaim it, without asking who is for it or who is against it. In fact, there's nothing that keeps its youth, so far as I know, but a tree and truth. You only served the citizens of Dade County with hope and with honesty, Officer Cook and you took the time to explain to the citizens your reasons for why you did something that would only serve to benefit them. Your youth was one founded only on the truth, you took a look, but always went by the book with dignity and with integrity. Sturdy as the tall tree next to your grave, all the days of your your young life were spent enhancing our society of which you were so vital a cog. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Change in a community can only be brought about through the duly honorable officers such as yourself, Officer Cook, who were unshaken in their pledge to serve and to protect.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 13, 2014

In a contempt for the gabble of today's opinions the secret of the world is to be learned. The highest compact we can make with our fellow is-"Let there be truth between us two forevermore." Every truth leads in another. The bud extrudes the old leaf and every truth brings that which will supplant it. The sting of reproach, is the truth of it. Half the truth is often a great lie. Police officers have to use their training and basic instincts to decide a situation and who may telling a truth or not. I'm sure you had many of these moments, Officer Cook and you had to use your intelligence and calming matter to endeavor to solve a dilemma. Police sometimes use reproach as a lesson to get a point across without employing harsher methods. Firm and unwavering could sum up the reasons as to why you were among the finest patrolling Dade County streets. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 12, 2014

God offers to every mind its choice between truth and repose. Take which you please-you can never have both. Every violation of truth is not only a sort of suicide in the liar, but is a stab at the health of human society. Truth is such a fly-away, such a sly-boots, so not transportable and non-barrelable a commodity, that it is as bad to catch as light.The truth sets someone free in the sense that we should have no fears or anxieties if we speak properly and honestly. This is why your life and career, Officer Cook, blossomed in one that now history will look back on as will police historians when speaking of your stellar character and outstanding reputation in Dade County. Heroes are born from their parents and the truth of the matter is how they lived their lives in an exemplary manner. You only will be thought of in a most honorable way forevermore. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. I wished the police that day could have "outfoxed" that young man, all he had to do was to comply with you and your colleagues, surrender and I'm sure he could have gotten the help he most surely and sorely needed.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 12, 2014