Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I was not prepared for the bad lands. They deserve this name. they are like the work of an evil child. Such a place the fallen angels might have built as a spite to heaven, dry and sharp, desolate and dangerous and for me filled with foreboding. A sense comes from it that does not like or welcome humans. Officer Cook, as well as you may have trained and prepared, no one ever knows when that time may come calling. One sure thing is that you will forever remain a legend and a true Metro-Dade Police Department Hero shining brightly over all who knew and respected you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 5, 2014

Earth to a chamber of mourning turns-I hear the over weening, mocking voice, matter is conqueror-matter, triumphant only, continues onward. We have to go on, Officer Cook, for your family, friends, comrades. We have just begun the battle, now let us start thinking and acting in a soothing and passionate manner as you did. maybe we will get to witness the great results that your legendary professionalism has taken us to. You paved the way, laid a solid foundation to travel through, from thick and thin, from darkness to shining light, many a splendid picture to truly behold and to hang on to. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. From sea to shining sea, your soul for now and for eternity passes on by.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 4, 2014

Sorrow, the great idealizer. When I was a child people simply looked about them and were moderately happy; today they peer beyond the seven seas, bury themselves waist deep in tidings and by and large what they see and hear makes them unutterably sad. For all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: "It might have been." People still get upset at losing a love done, a close friend, a neighbor who was worth every dime as a courageous police officer as yourself, Officer Cook. I look at family albums of my parents and still cry and get upset, why I never met you and look at your picture and cry. I do it at your grave which I have visited quite a few times lately. It's perfectly normal to show one's emotions, I wear them on my sleeve. What should be a happy time for you and your family, has turned into grief over your untimely loss and that of your beloved father, Charles. I do hope and will always say a prayer for your beloved mother, Mrs. Julia Cook. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. People view life and death very differently as is our own DNAs.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 4, 2014

Not indolence, nor pleasure, nor the fret of restless passions that could not be stilled, but sorrow and a care that almost killed, kept me from what I may accomplish yet. If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each person's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility. If only that day, Officer Cook, the first of your comrades to arrive at that fateful scene could have gotten that young man to surrender, the bloodshed and violence that day could have been avoided. You did your job to the best of your abilities, at least you were passionate, calm to a degree and gave proper instruction to your partner, Reserve Officer Scott Lincoln, who besides Detective Blocker escaped unscathed. I do not know what I might have done if I was your partner that day, say a lot of prayers that you would pull through and resume your career with your comrades as they battled for their lives in the hospital. The supreme sacrifice that you made was only for heaven's name and for the safety of the community that you loved patrolling and gracing with your compassion. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. We can only hope to see you one day and do pray for the welfare of your comrades who lived because of your unsung bravery to act accordingly. I'm sure Officers DiGenova and Edgerton think about you and would celebrate your retirements together.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 4, 2014

Be still, sad heart! And cease repining; Behind the clouds is the sun still shining; Thy fate is the common fate of all, into each life some rain must fall, some days must be dark and dreary. Some days are like this, we can't change the weather. But we can correct the courses that our life pursuits take us. Police officers cannot always control their fates, although they definitely can perform their jobs in a way that may make them less vulnerable to the perils that may await them in the streets. You worked and performed, Officer Cook as you were trained to do. Sizing up a situation and utilizing a calming and soothing tone translated into success for you most of your six years of duty as a safe and sound officer. All this has been noticeably absent, but those who worked with you have never forgotten your good name and the honor with which your represented your department and community. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your goodness in name and in heroism will last forever.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 4, 2014

A lean sorrow is hardest to bear. All are hard to bear much less witness. Believe me, every person has their secret sorrows, which the world knows not, and oftentimes we call someone only when they are sad. You went through a sorrow, Officer Cook ,when your beloved father, Charles, passed away in November 1976, from what your nephew, Justin told me. The fact that your beloved mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, has unfortunately gone through these two tragic family sorrows shows us her endless courage unto itself, her physical regality, her spiritual resourcefulness and her ability to recognize and be able to continue her life in the very face of adversity. But make no mistake Officer Cook, you and your dad, Charles, served your country and community with the same exact amount of excellence, grace, dignity, integrity and ingenuity and bravery beyond what is expected of its faithful and loyal servants. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. God could not have two finer servants both in humbleness and in humility protecting His streets.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 4, 2014

The sorrow for the dead is the only sorrow from which we refuse to be divorced. Every other wound we seek to heal, every other affliction to forget; but this wound we consider it a duty to keep open, this affliction we cherish and brood over in solitude. In the deepest heart of all of us there is a corner in which the ultimate mystery of things works sadly. If you suffer, thank God!-it is a sign that you are alive. We may brood, we are surely allowed to be upset, in the doldrums, angry, bitter and however we should feel when police officers who are brave and bold lay down their lives for our protections. You were this type of person, Officer Cook, who viewed a challenge and relished the thought of doing something about it. The day of May 16, 1979, you were out on patrol about to finish your shift and heard of a call go out over the radio, you went to that call and saw what needed to be done and in the process you saved your comrades and those three civilians in a matter of a few minutes. I'm sorry as are all other citizens that something happened to such a fine and and dedicated young man so full of life. But Dade County and in Washington, D.C. they will forever remember your heroics and have been singing their praises for a job well done. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 4, 2014

I have used this word a few times and believe it is matriculate. Something that life teaches us great lessons on how we can better ourselves and the world at large that we all reside in. It is only in sorrow bad weather masters us; in joy we face the storm and defy it. Police officers face many good people who are willing to roll up their sleeves, pick in and assist wherever they are needed. They too face their adversaries in all kinds of environments, something you faced many times, Officer Cook and were able to reach a sound and peaceful conclusion. Sorrow teaches us a great lesson in humility and in perseverance. They are afforded the greatest honors in death as they exposed themselves to the many dangers while here in their many communities trying to serve, protect and defend our rights, freedoms and liberties. Parting is all we know of heaven and all we need is purgatory. All we know my neighbor, friend and hero is that your soul is surrounding us at all times in God's golden streets that are reserved for its many heroes and heroines who were unafraid to meet life's many challenges. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 4, 2014

The beleaguered might endeavor in futile things, but wars with the heart are those that dare and sing. I care not who writes the laws of a country so long as I may listen to its songs. That is why it is up to the finest and most courageous women and men of our law enforcement communities to give us an adjustment into how we might better lead a charge of cheer and goodwill to make certain that peace and unity never leave our midst. We can sing and be joyful because of your unending amount of energy, Officer Cook, that you brought to your job on a daily basis. I'm sure at your Inspector's Funeral there was some singing, Officer Cook, along the wailing of the bagpipes and the sobs of the throngs of people and fellow officers who came locally and from all over the country to pay homage to a true and humble beacon of hope, an optimist who never let despair keep him down for long. The rays of opportunity for all Dade County citizens shine even brighter because of your bravery, unselfish commitment to sacrifice and courageous heart, my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 3, 2014

When he sang, the village listened; all the warriors gathered around him, all the women came to hear him: now he stirred their souls to passion, now he melted them to pity. When you were out on patrol, Officer Cook, day or night the citizens knew it was yourself who had their backs and looked after all people with the same professionalism that allowed you the opportunity to take others under your wing or command. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your actions have stirred our passions into how one should primarily conduct both their private and professional lives.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 3, 2014

I breathed a song into the air, it fell to earth, I knew not where; for who has sight so keen and strong, that it can follow the flight of Song? As long as you were alive and well, Officer Cook, every breath and ounce of strength in your body was utilized only for the good of this world and in making those people who you served and protected diligently and faithfully confident in their abilities and capabilities to prosper in all their endeavors. You were a very observant, strong and resourceful officer who as was stated by your close friend, Chief Geoff Jacobs was way ahead of the crowd in maturity and in leadership. Your loving spirit now flies as high as those songs you sung as a young man and will forever fly high. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 3, 2014

What is the taste of song, when the world lacks the ear of taste? Blues are the songs of despair, but songs sung in a house of worship are the songs of hope. Amazing Grace is surely the proper song to play at the Inspector's Funeral of an officer who gives their life so others can live. Your acceptance into God's golden streets, Officer Cook, is and will always be because you were unafraid in meeting the daily challenges that lie in front of each officer. The hope of realization is one day all will be reunited with you once again. You were a master of compassion and a prince of passion who never met an exploit to big to travel through. You more than carried you weight during your battles with evil and brought forth an everlasting change within your community that can still be felt today. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 2, 2014

Many a heart is aching, if you could read them all, many the hopes that have vanished after the ball. Our hopes have not left us, Officer Cook. One thing for certain, your beautiful spirit still flies gently in each day and nights breeze up in God's heavenly skies. So long as you are looking down, we feel a great sense of calmness in the air we take in our lungs. lead us to keep expanding our horizons and the special intrinsic gifts we have been given by Our Creator. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Our hearts will always ache over your loss, we can shed a tear or two, but we know you would want us to carry on with the same degree of grace and dignity you so faithfully exhibited while loyally serving all Dade County.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 2, 2014

In some aspects a trailer park is a Utopian society, for it consists of persons each of whom is occupying the same amount of space in the community and none of whom is working very hard at anything in particular and all of whom are engaged in perfecting the art of living; and although trailer society, like every other society I have ever examined, has its little caste system, economically it is rather a success: everyday is a holiday and every night is bingo. People can live how ever they choose to. Matter of fact, I have known some fine people who lived in a trailer park and worked their tails off to do so. They hook up their boats to their RVs and travel around the country wherever and whenever they choose to. You might have done this with Karen, Officer Cook, taken an RV and traveled a bit while on a vacation with her. It can be very relaxing, no hustle and bustle of waiting in a security line at the airport to board a jet, just yourselves and nature, since you were a photographer and an outdoor person. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 2, 2014

It is the tendency of all social burdens to crush out the middle class and to force society into an organization of only two classes, one at each social extreme. Of all the burdens that rest squarely on the shoulders of all police officers, honesty and integrity would seem to go hand in hand. You cannot have a force, Officer Cook, in which the majority of its officers acts in a reckless and callous manner. You can't. Society may suffer from affliction and strife, it's up to its heroes and heroines to stay the course and to do the very best job possible to keep freedom's ship a float. Your division and department I want to think does this twenty-four hours a day, year round in order for the residents to in peace and without the fears of something sinister happening. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 2, 2014

Society is like the air, necessary to breathe, but not enough to live on. your body and soul, Officer Cook, was exposed to evil that awful day, but you gave your very last ounce of breathe to procure the rights of everyone in order for them to continue living their lives. A grand hero to be sure, who worked his existence so we could all survive and thrive. High society may be for those who have stopped working and no longer have anything important to do. You had your whole life in front of you with Karen, she knew and understood the risks you and the many fine and talented police officers make each day to secure our liberties. A friend until the end, whose unwavering spirit complimented your colleagues in their daily challenges. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. God is surely making certain all those zeroes have a number next to them indicating the challenges that lie ahead for those of us in this world.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 2, 2014

I doubt very much if civilization-so called has helped generosity. I bet the old caveman would divide his food with you as quick as one of us will ask a down-and-out to go in and have a meal with us. Those old boys and girls would tear off a wolf skin breech-clout and give you half of it, quicker than a Ph.D. would slip you his umbrella. Civilization has taught us how to use utensils, but there are those who think it is easier to use one's fingers if nobody is watching. I know, Officer Cook, you were raised along with Nancy, your sister with proper manners. All officers are expected to act properly as much as the citizens they serve and protect. May 16, 1979 bears out this fact in a most vivid and memorable fashion. Tragically, we still have one too many uncivilized persons who think bedlam, kayos and mayhem is deemed proper behavior. You were a very brave soul to answer a call you had answered many times during your six years of serving Metro-Dade County residents and won't be forgotten for doing so. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 2, 2014

I doubt very much if civilization{so called} has helped generosity. I'd bet the old caveman called divide his food with you as quick as one of us will ask a down and out person to go in and have a meal with us. Those old boys and girls would rip off a wolf skin breech-clout and give you half of it, quicker than a PH.D. would slip you their umbrella. Civilization has taught us to eat with a fork, but even now if nobody is around we use our fingers. I know, Officer Cook, you and your loving and devoted sister, Nancy, were raised with manners. My wife, Holly, is a childcare provider and must train and show her kids how to wash their hands with soap and water. I believe most civilized individuals realize this. Police officers need to be civilized just as much as those citizens of which they took a solemn oath to serve and to protect. I can imagine just by what I've heard and read about you, your life and career, that you would go to great lengths for anybody. May 16, 1979 bears this very fact out most vividly. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 2, 2014

No one man is capable, without the aid of society, of supplying his own wants; and those wants acting upon every person, impel the whole of them into society, as naturally as gravitation acts to a center. You were in the center of a terrible domestic dispute, Officer Cook and your heroic act propelled you to the head of the Metro-Dade Police department's Honor Roll of heroes and heroines who like you took action and charge in bravery and courage to make its citizens safer. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 1, 2014

A town that boasts inhabitants like me can have no lack of good society! Solitude is as needful to the imagination as society is wholesome for the character. What is wrong with the old Adam Smith philosophy and what should be completely unacceptable to any American and I would say this particularly to either democrats or republicans is the idea of the survival of the fittest. Let's put it this way: The fittest should survive and the fit shall also survive. Those who are "unfit" you have to have a social consciousness about, to take care of them. The "survival of the fittest" assumes the heck with the rest of them. This is wrong, morally and socially, apart from being completely wrong politically. The officers who can endure the police academy and its rigorous basic training routine both mentally and physically are the ones who will have the greatest impact in making a dent in their communities and taking a huge bite out of crime. Officer Cook, you were one of the many fine police officers in your day succeeding where other officers may have failed in their endeavors to curb violence and unite peace and justice under one canopy as we do with a man and woman on their wedding day. Everything needs to be running in sync. Otherwise, look at the results awaiting an officer at the end. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. This town, actually this city of North Miami Beach, Florida where you spent much of your life has been bereft of someone so humble and personable since your passing. One day I'll try and explain to the kids in this area who you were and what your life, career and sacrifice means to us all.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2014

Those who wallow in the imperfections of their society or turn them into an excuse for something other than the normal routine usually end up by eroding all social and moral restraints; eventually in their pitiless assault on all beliefs they multiply suffering. I know you would not want for those who knew and loved you, Officer Cook, to wallow in self-pity and forever be suffering over your tragic loss. But it's hard for someone like myself, who did not know you personally to get over your loss. It has had a profound affect on my life, since I met some of your family members. I do hope your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, is doing well out in San Diego, California. You'll always be in my prayers Mrs. Cook. Your beloved son, William, Bill or Billy to his close personal friends and former colleagues was a truly humble, great and fine human being. To save seven lives risking his own in one day, actually in less than ten minutes, basically saving seven worlds, you cannot even begin to fathom the ramifications of his heroic actions. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2014

Without society and a society to our taste, men and women are never contented. And it is up to the residents and the many fine and upstanding police officers working in unison as a well-oiled machine to keep peace and unity on the same track. It's only to the benefit of those involved to keep evil from rearing its ugliness. Your character, Officer Cook, was one of the many reasons why Dade County is much better off, because of your love and desire to make that commitment and to honor you and other officers who were unafraid in making the ultimate sacrifice. The challenges you accepted upon yourselves will never be forgotten as long as there are the many honorable and law abiding citizens to stop, pause and reflect upon the lives of their dedicated personnel. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2014

Life is of no value but a sit brings us gratifications. Among the most valuable of these is rational society. It informs the mind, sweetens the temper, cheers our spirits and promotes health. You cheered us up, Officer Cook, whenever people or your colleagues were downtrodden. That spirit is surely missed this day, but we know you are up in heaven shining down that million dollar smile. The gratifying way you worked and made this world a better place can only mean that those officers who follow in your footsteps have to step up in their devotion, determination and dedication as you did. It's a department effort that allows citizens to rest a bit easier at night. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2014

There are things that should never be mentioned in polite society-for instance, the doings of a polite society. Good manners are necessary in any circle of life. But especially in a position where the utmost care needs to be exerted when dealing with the public interest. Your politeness and courtesies, Officer Cook, will never leave our hearts and thoughts. Certainly, some officers could use refresher courses in proper etiquette. The true civilization is where every man gives to every other every right that he claims for himself. Because of your dignity, Officer Cook, all citizens can participate in the allowance of courtesies that can be granted to one another. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2014

It is still in the lap of the Gods whether a society can succeed which is based on "civil liberties and human rights" conceived as I have tried to describe them; but of one thing at least we may be sure: the alternatives that have so far appeared have been immeasurably worse. God is the sole driving force beyond all of our every movements. God surely drove your life with Karen, Officer Cook. We ponder our movements and God is the factor behind all of our decisions we make. God has watched over you all these years and you are still involved in your family's vital decisions. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2014