Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Police Officer William Coleman Cook

Metro-Dade Police Department, Florida

End of Watch Wednesday, May 16, 1979

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Reflections for Police Officer William Coleman Cook

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

The most casual student of history knows that, as a matter of fact, truth does not necessarily vanquish. What is more, truth can never win unless it is promulgated. Truth does not carry within itself an antitoxin to falsehood. The cause of truth must be championed and it must be championed dynamically. You were our super champion police officer, Officer Cook, not only a champion in both class and in dignity, but, in challenging us all to work for the common cause. And it was and still remains this cause that exists here in Dade County today. You sacrificed for us and how can we but sacrifice a little extra something special for a real gentleman of your appeal. You represented everybody and attempted to bridge any gaps that may have existed back in your day with Metro-Dade and its fine police department. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your giving up your life will never extinguish that flame and passion you maintained in vigilance to all. History will record your superior effort and that of those who went before you to keep justice churning properly.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 11, 2014

Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again; the eternal years of God are Hers; but error, wounded, writhes in pain and dies among His worshipers. As previously stated, Officer Cook, your soul will forever hover above us because you were a practical man, a humble and loyal servant who only spoke the truth. If only some of today's police officers could act the part, it sure would go a long way in making important inroads and strides which need to be further brought together in a fraternity that sorely demands it. Your untimely line of duty passing serves to inspire the multitudes of the many fine women and men whose bravery is always counted upon to shore up the freedom and pursuits of its residents. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 11, 2014

As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand, for truth there is no deadline. Sometimes in life, Officer Cook, it has been said that the truth is stranger than fiction. If the truth about our society is that it's perfectly safe, than we wouldn't need dedicated police officers such as yourself to serve and protect us. You and your fellow comrades who have made the ultimate sacrifices would still be here alive and well and living prosperous lives. But, sadly you and twenty-one thousand other terrifically marvelous heroes and heroines saved us through your devotions and determination. You were a saintly man and your cherished soul deserves to hover above us forever. You meant the world to your family, friends and colleagues all over this great land. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 11, 2014

Calamity is a more commonly plain and unmistakable reminder that the affairs of this life are not of our own ordering. Calamities are of two kinds: misfortune to ourselves and good fortune to others. It is a matter of much satisfaction and gratitude with me to observe how heroically most of us endure the misfortune of other people. When any police officer lays their life down for our benefit it is up to not only their department, but to their community and the nation as a whole to come to together and bond like no our time before. We share in a family's sorrow as the life and career of their loved one is remembered. You were eulogized by Auxiliary Bishop John Joseph Nevins, as a man of faith, a person of principle and resolute character, unbending and unwavering in all your pursuits including your professional mannerisms in keeping peace and unity as a framework for all citizens of Dade County, Officer Cook, I wished I could have attended your services, no dry eyes among the persons who gathered to pay their fond respects to a gentleman, literally who would go out of his way to assist others. Tragedies and sad events for the most part serve to unite those who have ever lived. It's a part of our lifecycle with whoever lives will at some point have to experience this. We just try to uplift those with heavy hearts. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 11, 2014

Look not mournfully into the past. It does not come back again. Wisely improve the present. It is yours. Go forth to meet the shadowy future, without fear and with a manly heart. What is time? The shadow on the dial, the striking of the clock, the running of the sand, day and night, summer and winter, months, years, centuries-these are but arbitrary and outward signs, the measure of time, not time itself. Time is the life of the soul. It is not till time, with reckless hand, has torn out half the leaves from the Book of Human Life, to light the fires of passion with, from day to day, that man begins to see that the leaves which remain are few to number. Time softly there laughs through the abyss of radiance with the Gods. The small intolerable drums of time are like the slow drops descending. The future is no more uncertain than the present. All most of us can say with certainty, Officer Cook, is that you performed admirably in a timely manner to save the lives of your fellow officers and the civilians involved in that domestic dispute in which you gave your life and career to make the lives of Dade County citizens much more vibrant. The bagpipes that were played at your Inspector's Funeral, the taps played and the gun salute afforded you because of how you utilized time in a most precise and wisely fashion. All that we have today could be directly linked to your dignity, integrity, compassion and determined passion to become the finest police officer that Metro-Dade has ever come to know and to respect. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Time marches on and as it does so too do the memories of a wonderful man, a loving son, cherished brother and a marvelous husband who worked enthusiastically to provide for his beloved wife and their home.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 10, 2014

The days are ever divine as to the first Aryans. They are of the least pretension and of the greatest capacity of anything that exists. They come and go like muffled and veiled figures sent from a distant friendly party; but they say nothing and if we do not use the gifts they bring, they carry them as silently away. Lost time is never found again. You may delay, but time will not. But do you love life, then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of. Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind. You certainly brought a charming character and a compassionate charisma to life, that which you led by example in honesty, dignity and in integrity, Officer Cook. Thirty-five years from the time you made the ultimate sacrifice is nearly upon us, but one sure thing, your soul flies over us every moment of the day, afternoon and evening. The shadow of your goodness permeates over this community that you served so well with respect to all its citizens who are forever grateful for having you in their midst. You lived each moment as one should live and are now being rewarded for all your endeavors. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Today I visited your grave, but I found two small pinwheels broken on the ground and the stick of a larger one on the ground. I went to the office taped it back up and placed it in the ground. People who visit the grave of anyone, not to mention a heroic police officer should respect the site and what that individual represented to and in society.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 9, 2014

Honesty was essential for your growth, Officer Cook and you heroically risked your life to save your comrades and those civilians. Time is a test of trouble, but not a remedy, if such it proves, it proves too there was no malady. Obviously, if there is no evil in any society, we probably would not have the need for the many honorable and courageous women and men of law enforcement. But you were one of the finest officers in all of these United States of America. It's quite evident by the sacrifice you made on behalf of the citizens of Dade County. I still wish you were here, but we all recognize you are in a place now watching over the streets where you garnered many friends and people who knew you had their backs. Police officers cannot handle every single thing they just attempt to get a handle on most dilemmas that ordinary people would not dare involve themselves with. Sturdy as a rock, a solid personality to match, rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Officer William C. Cook, an honest and cool calm and collected gentleman.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 5, 2014

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