Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

For books are more than books, they are the life, the very heart and core of ages past, the reason why men and women lived, worked and died, the essence and quintessence of their lives. Your humble life and stellar character and career have been chronicled in the book, "Forgotten Heroes." The picture in the book and at another website called, "Find a grave" shows a very charming picture of you, Officer Cook. Something I didn't know either was that back in your day officers wore patches of the districts where they patrolled. District two-the Central Division was where you endeavored to maintain law and order. Now those who take up your fight have been presented many challenges that confronted you on a daily basis. A young man taken before his time, you lived by honor and gave your life for the very ideals which make us a free nation of which you'll forever be remembered. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 17, 2014

For we cannot tarry here, we must match my darlings, we must bear the brunt of danger, we the youthful of sinewy races, all the rest on us depend, Pioneers! O Pioneers! You were a pioneer in a way, Officer Cook, but it should have not been because of a lack of side panels. Because of your valor and heroic act, all officers in your department and possibly in all of Dade county now have these important pieces of equipment to protect officers. You were not afraid to face danger and you stood face to face in an effort to help keep us safe and sound. We the citizens who stand front and center realize the importance of the many brave and bold people like yourself who expose their bodies to shield us from any harm that may be inflicted upon us. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 17, 2014

We have been the recipients of the choicest of bounties of heaven. We have been preserved these many years in peace and in prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation ha sever grown; but we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, multiplied and enriched us while strengthening our forces; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. The feats achieved in Dade County were accomplished by your humble courage, leadership, charm and magnetism, Officer Cook. It takes cunning and the maturity you gained through experience to help us to succeed and to reap the fruits of our labor and what we have sown. We cannot forget that it was and continues to be God's hands which guided you down His pathways and it does the same for others who have taken over your watch. By the way, Happy Holiday Chief Jacobs, God bless you and the entire Cook, Tidwell and Wilkerson Families. I wonder if you have a black and white 3 by 5 picture of your dear friend and colleague, Officer Cook. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. It was your engaging personality that enriched those who knew and admired you.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 17, 2014

Turning our eyes to other nations, our great desire is to see our brethren of the human race secured in the blessings enjoyed by ourselves and advancing in knowledge, in freedom and in social happiness. We all take stock in America and the very ideals that come from a nation so full of promise. It's this yearning to succeed that fuels our everyday challenges that lie ahead of us. It is the many brave men and women of law enforcement, such as yourself, Officer Cook, who made us see these changes and who by your unselfish commitment allowed us to reap these blessings of which you were and are still an integral part of. The liberties were are privileged to have and to uphold are solely because of your upstanding and outstanding passion to carry out your job with honor and the dignity so vital to the human race and to every citizen receiving a fair opportunity. No need for us here to carry this umbrella, it is yourself, my neighbor, friend and hero who among the other twenty-one thousand valiant souls who carry on watching God's golden streets brightening the darkest of days. keep shining down on us and your family this Passover and Easter holiday season. I spoke to at a synagogue during the holiday and my message was rather simple, it is a time of restraint and to remember why we have our freedoms. Rest in peace. You were very blessed to perform a job that requires everything from physical and mental skills, honesty and tact. You always gave one-hundred percent full attention to details and excellence. We come to expect the same from today's officers in service and in protection.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 17, 2014

I meant to say which has stood as your legacy. Rest in peace Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 14, 2014

Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit from revolutionaries and rebels-men and women who dared to dissent from accepted doctrine. As their heirs, may we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion. As a Metro-Dade Police Officer, Officer Cook, you represented all the people and as such you were not blinded by bias, racism and the like. You served the county with honor and distinction befitting a hero. And now your family members have been passed your torch with his stood as your legacy all these years. God bless them. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Today is my birthday and was thinking of you while out taking my morning walk. I think of you when I see planes flying overhead. I guess you should be on them with Karen visiting many exotic places. Heaven is just that venue reserved for the bravest of heroes and heroines who act in a humble manner.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 14, 2014

There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want through hard work and diligence and after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. The trouble with being number one in the world-at anything-is that it takes a certain mentality to attain that position in the first place and that is something of a driving, perfectionist attitude, so that once you do achieve number one, you don't relax and enjoy it. Everything most people including police officers do takes years and then many hours of study, both the mental and physical aptitude to carry out the daily grinds that the position demands. Your positive upbeat demeanor, Officer Cook, was largely the reasons for your professional accomplishments. The ever ready officer, you saved seven lives within a few minutes and you weren't even dispatched. So this says a lot regarding the stellar character you possessed which kept you and the residents safe and sound. I can say with the utmost confidence that you did not boast or gloat. One can never brag, because in your profession, one minute you are here, the next minute we never know what Our Creator has in store for us. But your bravery and courage was destined to reach the heavens above where now it surely resonates louder and clearer and its light helps keep other officers safe so they can carry on your watch. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. No one takes a beating like a bragger. You sir were the most consummate and compassionate gentleman whose humbleness and humility spoke volumes. No officer can ever let their guard down.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 13, 2014

A fierce unrest seethes at the core of all existing things: It was the eager wish to soar that God has wings to fly. For your humble and unselfish commitment to excellence, Officer Cook, you will never need permission to soar. You and those who made the same commitment to excellence as God's golden angels can now fly high above at all times observing the coming and going of those who we trust faithfully carry out their professional responsibilities. Still permit us to seethe as you did have your life and career taken when you still had unfinished business and much enjoyment remaining. but as you know, God determines each person's destiny or lot in the preoccupation we call "life." Everyone has a value in making this world a better place to thrive and you did this at all times above the letter of the law and without a hint of reservation or hesitation. We should go for the moon, if we don't get there, we can still head for the stars. A beautiful person who has reached the heights above and whose soul still keeps flying higher than ever.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 12, 2014

My own thoughts are my companions; my designs and labors and aspirations are my only friends. Greatly begin! Though you have time but for a line, be that sublime-not failure, but low aim is crime. Since police officers always have to think while both sitting and standing, it may seem a bit easier to ponder what they have to plan for. You always seemed to be able to formulate a plan, Officer Cook, that would bring quiet and relief to an area where you devotedly patrolled. All those who knew you wish you were here, I guess if side panels were around during your time, we really don't know the real answer, perhaps you might be retired now and living a rich and wonderful life with Karen. You are fondly remembered and now we hope that those who took over your watch have been as diligent in preventing crime as you were. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your heroics have given all residents the chance to have a new lease on their opportunities that they have been given through your determination and dedication.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 12, 2014

I see, but cannot reach the height that lies forever in the light and yet forever and forever, when seeming just within my grasp, I feel my feeble hands unclasp and sink discouraged into night. Most people would succeed in small things, if they were not troubled with great ambitions. We may not be able to see you physically, Officer Cook, but surely we can feel the good vibes that echo from your shining soul above. It was and continues to be nothing but positive feedback. You look at all your wonderful accomplishments garnered with such dignity, integrity and with honor, it's no wonder and not a coincidence that all your loving family members are successes at what they have achieved. I'm sure at night before retiring, they say a little prayer and look up to the brightest of stars where you are telling them to stay the course and be positive that everything will turnout alright. At least ambition never blinded you, one of God's most trusted, loyal and faithful servants to grace Dade County citizens with service, protection and a real compassionate heart to match. You wore the badge and police uniform the proper way, something many officers would stop today and take notice of. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. I'll continue to say prayers for you Mrs. Cook. Happy Easter to you and yours.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 12, 2014

Heaven is not reached at a single bound; but we build the ladder by which we rise from the lowly earth to the vaulted skies and we mount to its summit round by round. Officer Cook, your distinguished life and career was compared to a building block. You laid a foundation and worked feverishly from the ground up. All your dreams, aspirations and crowning achievements have earned you forever a very special place in God's heavenly kingdom. All of our heroes and heroines, brave men and women police officers who let their dignity and honor lead by example have been the partners in helping create peace and unity in their communities. You my neighbor, friend and hero a very prominent person in this community of Dade County where you and forty-one other diligent officers paid the very dear price so we could be safe and sound at all times of the day and night. Rest in peace. Sadly that ladder has been getting higher as you have been welcoming more of your fellow brothers and sisters of the law enforcement profession into God's golden streets.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 11, 2014

I want the voice of honest praise to follow me behind and to be thought in future days, the friend of humankind; that after-ages as they rise, exulting may proclaim, in choral union to the skies, their blessings on my name. We only and forever want the citizens that are afforded service and protection by many of the finest and the humblest brave and courageous men and women to know that their loved ones are not ever forgotten, And you won't ever be, Officer Cook. Your wonderful family and the Cook name stood for honesty, integrity, dignity, responsibility and pride. All of these very meaningful characteristics were instilled in both you and your sister, Nancy, at a young age. You carried the Cook family name both personally and during your professional life as a Metro-Dade Police Officer. Badge #1664 was just not any ordinary number pinned to your chest, it represented the entire department, your division and the eyes and ears of the entire country. The good name you so faithfully maintained has been passed on to some of your family members for their safekeeping and they are doing a great job at upholding all the values that the Cook family represents today. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your soul is sending all the good blessings that it can bestow upon your family, friends and colleagues who cherished the opportunity to work beside you.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 10, 2014

O Time and change!-with hair as gray as it was that winter day, how strange it seems, with so much gone of life and love, to still live on! Give fools their gold and knaves their power; let fortune's bubbles rise and fall; who sows a field, or trains a flower,or plants a tree, is more than all. Time has surely changed Officer Cook, since you paid the ultimate price for our liberties. Your knowledge and wisdom would certainly be in high demand today. We give people freedoms and sometimes they get carried away or go crazy and something terrible seems to happen. You planted the field of our dreams and now we must make proper usage of it. Of all your aspirations, we must have the right motivations to carry on your legacy. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 9, 2014

A little more tired at close of day, a little less anxious to have our way; a little less ready to scold and blame; a little more care of a brother's name; and so we are nearing the journey's end, where time and eternity meet and blend. Police officers work extremely hard and we pray safely and honesty. Some days we need a little talking to, who better to listen to than your local friendly police officer. You place you life in their trust and not knowing when that day will arrive, you go out into the streets to do battle and when you shift has ended you can go home safely. Time and eternal life don't wait, they constantly move around God's heavens above, there to meet new heroes and heroines who now proudly walk the golden beat. Now, Officer Cook you have joined a fraternity of God's most humble and respected heroines and heroes, brave women and men unafraid to take that next challenge to ensure our security and you were among the best. Your colleagues have taken notice as you were one of their fondest brothers and sisters of the law enforcement community so bold to act on our behalf so we could remain at peace and united for a common goal. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 8, 2014

As life runs on, the road grows strange with faces new,-and near the end the milestones into headstones change, beneath every one a friend. That's it, as life goes on, we grow a bit older and hopefully a little wiser. New faces come and go, people retire to do our other things, we pray for the opportunity to celebrate happy tidings, milestones are what we should strive to live for. Being buried sometimes people will remember who you were and for what you stood for, some may forget. You represented all citizens, Officer Cook and there was no one who I cannot imagine did not like you. Too bad that young man who took you from those who loved you, could not have sat down with you and spoken in a rational manner, you probably were a very good listener, with the patience of a saint. We will never know, maybe the message would have penetrated his mind. You were that special friend and a mentor to all, who laid down his life for his friends and those citizens who came to appreciate your intelligence. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. until the end you were that very compassionate and a most passionate person who saw the chance to make this society a little better off by your efforts.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 8, 2014

Age is opportunity no less than youth itself, though in other clothing and as evening twilight fades away the sky is filled with stars, invisible by day. For your twenty-five years, Officer Cook, age was just a number, you kept yourself young and fit and it did payoff in dividends for you. To be able to handle the rigors of a job that you so masterfully accomplished with valor and with a humble confidence, that alone says everything. It kind of defines who you were, the quality of your character. Now we can look up to the constellations at night and see your beautiful soul shining as brightly as any star. You never disappointed anyone at all, it's just a horrible shame you are not with those who knew you, who loved you, but nevertheless you are always going to be held in high regard. God placed a really compassionate person on this earth and you succeeded in a supremely humane fashion. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 8, 2014

The same space of time seems shorter as we grow older...in youth we may have an absolutely new experience, subjective or objective, every hour of the day. Apprehension is vivid, retentiveness strong and our recollections of that time, like those of a time spent in rapid and interesting travel, are of something intricate, multitudinous and long-drawn out. But as each passing year converts some of this experience into automatic routine which we hardly note at all, the days of the week smooth themselves out in recollection to non-contented units and the years grow hollow and collapse. Time does at times seem at little bit shorter. When police officers start their professional careers after graduating from the police academy, they become aware of the need to try and stay safe all the while they serve their communities with dignity, integrity and honorably. This was how you maintained a proper balance, Officer Cook. Your maturity helped you gained an edge that would act as a springboard for the rest of your watch. Being able to retain what you learned surely made you the top notch, the top flight gentleman,the police officer who could be counted on in a pinch to assist others. You must start with a basic foundation and you did well in this. As each year since your sacrifice passes, time does not stand still, but we do pause to remember and to reflect, look back on your life, career and the importance of what you represented in your community of Dade County as a hero, whose humility spoke loudly and precisely. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 8, 2014

Spring still makes spring in the mind, when sixty years are told; love wakes anew this throbbing heart and we are never old. At twenty years of age the will reigns; at thirty the wit; at forty the judgment. You gave your life, Officer Cook, for all of Dade County on a nice hot and clear Wednesday, May 16, 1979 afternoon in Liberty City. How appropriate in an area where all of its residents yearn to live in freedom and in unity. You were the right police officer who along with your partner that day, Reserve Officer Scott Lincoln were out on patrol and five minutes before the end of your watch heard a couple of numbers called out on your radio, a thirty-four and a three thirty, you both responded to the scene and what unfolded within a five minute period, forever changed many lives, your beloved family's, your friends and your colleagues. It was your inspiration,which started with an aspiration, it was your devotion, dedication and determination, along with God's will that steered you there to try and stop a troubled young man bent on violence and hatred. Your wisdom, judgment and intuition then took over and you became the beloved hero that the Metro-Dade Police Department and all departments throughout the United States have come to know and to revere forever. I'm sure holiday celebrations have not been the same for your family without you. you certainly sprung into action my neighbor, friend and hero and as your Division Chief, Dale P. Bowlin reflected that he thinks of you and your actions that day to save your four comrades and those three civilians from certain harm. Outstanding just taps the surface as to how you professionally maintained your daily performance in the line of duty. You had your liberties taken tragically, but, because of your sacrifice, our hopes have not been dashed nor sullied. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 8, 2014

At twenty a man is full of fight and hope. He wants to reform the world. When he's seventy he still wants to reform the world, but knows he can't. Your spirit lives on, Officer Cook, just as your tenacity to see justice carried through. Hope does spring eternal, let us hope and pray that one day we do not need to keep fighting these battles against evil and that only goodwill prevails in our society. It is sorely a necessity that must live on through the sacrifices of the many talented and very brave men and women like yourself, my neighbor, friend and hero. Rest in peace. I don't think you would look much different at seventy as you would look today at sixty. Still very handsome, with a big bright smile and an endless amount of charisma to match. I think your friends would all take notice and your beloved wife, Karen, would still be as beautiful as on the day of your wedding.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 7, 2014

Come, Captain Age, with your great sea-chest full of treasure! Under the yellow and wrinkled tarpaulin disclose the carved ivory and the sandalwood inlaid with pearl riches of wisdom and years. Your friends in your department all recognized, Officer Cook, your infinite wisdom and maturity beyond your twenty-five years. If we could bring you back today, I'm sure you could dispense that information which would serve as a motivator for other officers to share and to assist the ranks in making them safer and more able to be diligent in their policing of their communities. There was a character named, "Captain Cook", you certainly had all the wonderful attributes to move up the ranks to becoming a police captain. It's up to us to try and to open God's heavenly treasure chest.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 7, 2014

The stones and trees, insensible to time, nor age nor wrinkle on their front are seen; if winter come and greenness then do fade, a spring returns and they are more youthful made; but man grows old, lies down, remains where once he's laid. There are trees, plenty of grass and beautiful memories of the many people buried where you now rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The opportunity to grow older gracefully should have been given to you, but as we all know, each moment is a gift from God to cherish and you, Officer Cook, treasured all of your moments, days, months, hours and years working as the devoted officer we all knew to come and to respect. The gravestone that serves as your marker for eternity isn't just some slab of marble with a bronze cross on it, it serves as the foundation of how you lived your life as a gentleman and more importantly a humble hero. I know when I visit your grave it still evokes memories of the past, pleasant ones that your family has forever.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 7, 2014

It is easy to believe that life is long and one's gifts are vast-easy at the beginning, that is. But the limits of life grow more evident; it becomes clear that great work can be done rarely, if at all. Your treasured and most valued life and career should still be going on, your life that is. Your colleagues as I've reflected before, all wish you could have been part of the massage changes in Dade County. Believe me, Officer Cook, your cunning, your courage and bravery are indeed the reasons for the positive outlooks that reflect those changes, you were a huge part, your spirit still reflects the need to see these changes continue. And we the citizens will keep the guarantee of your sacred words which laid the foundation for this to occur. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You'd be a man of sixty years now, still full of fresh ideas, compassion and the yearning to continue helping others in their battles against evil. You deserved to be here with us and I will continue to utter these words, you are greatly missed and you have been and always will look down over those you loved and and who in turn loved and admired you, your life and professional career.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 7, 2014

If it enriches not the heart of another, its waters, returning back to their springs, like the rain, shall fill them full of refreshment; that which the fountain sends forth returns again to the fountain. Your candor, knowledge and wisdom, Officer Cook, were like a fountain of value information which when shared with other officers could only help not only the morale of the department, but the community at large. This was what brought not only your family pride and joy, but it was a pleasure through and through for you, Officer Cook, to be out and about serving and protecting our best interests. The fountain of life springs eternal, so while you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, we hope as we get ready around the world to usher in Good Friday, Easter Sunday and the holiday of Passover, you assist Our Creator in keeping His fountains running with plenty of water for us all to drink. You took in as much training and knowledge and were able to pass it on and to become the dedicated leader that you were. Your instincts were par excellence.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 7, 2014

What is so pleasant as these jets of affection which make a young world for me again?....The moment we indulge our affections, the earth is metamorphosed; there is no winter and no night; all tragedies, all things lacking in spirit, vanish,-all duties even. A young man that you were, Officer Cook, when you sacrificed for our security, you certainly were not lacking in ambition or confidence. The affection and respect you displayed toward all citizens will not be forgotten, but only duly noted. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Those jets are always high flying a sis your soul.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 7, 2014

Each person is a hero and oracle to somebody and to that person whatever they say has an enhanced value. We should be careful and discriminating in all the advice we give. We should be especially careful in giving advice that we would not think of following ourselves. Most of all, we ought to avoid giving counsel which we don't follow when it damages those take us at our word. He had only one vanity: he thought he could give advice better than any other person. Always do right-this will gratify some and astonish the rest. You were that shining hero, Officer Cook, whose star now burns brightly for others to look up to the heavens above at night. No one ever had to instruct you other than your beloved parents on the difference between right and wrong. If only on May 16, 1979, could anyone have told that troubled young man the difference between right and wrong. Everybody who got the humble pleasure to meet you, work with you or do anything with you, knew you were a loyal servant whose devotion to duty never steered you down the wrong way. The company you keep is part of how we can judge our fellow brother or sister. One cool judgment is worth a thousand hasty counsels. The thing to do is to supply light and not heat. By the light of day and the heat of that hot asphalt, did you my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer William C. Cook #1664, give you life for Dade County and its residents in heroic fashion, never to be forgotten, remembered for your sincere righteousness. forever. Rest in peace. You were the consummate officer cool as a cucumber under pressure.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 6, 2014