Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work. Work does not have to be a ball and chain. Work should be and quite often is very fruitful and fulfilling. Short-tempered, overtired and prickly. None of these ever applied to you, Officer Cook. It was sheer motivation and the hard work as you metriculated through the Miami-Dade College Police Academy that took you down the straight and righteous trail. At least you made good friends with a plethora of many fine and outstanding men and women. Chief Geoff Jacobs, your old high school classmate from Norland High-"The Pioneers." I'll bet if the two of you fine gentlemen worked together you would have made quite a "dynamic duo." The streets of Dade County were in deed blessed by your presences. Chief Jacobs worked in Opa Locka part of his career and now serves as Chief of Police for the Porterdale, Georgia Police Department. Your hard work too, Chief Jacobs has not been overlooked as your old buddy, Officer William C. "Billy" Cook, has been watching over you and your department and fine officers from above. I'm sure he is very proud of you. God bless you Chief and my you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 26, 2013

Life is one gosh golly thing after another. Those who knew you, Officer Cook, knew you enjoyed hunting and photography. You also loved the quiet moments with your beloved wife, Karen. I heard Karen you have been remarried since 2009 and I wish you well. I hope and pray the entire Cook, Toussel and Wilkerson families are doing well and enjoyed a nice Christmas. Your sacrifice my neighbor, friend and hero never leaves the crevices of my mind. You'll always be held in high esteem, I just wished the kids in your old neighborhood in North Miami Beach who run and play, I could someday explain to them who you were and what you wore proudly and how you represented each citizen with the respect they should give back to you and your family for helping God bring you into this world to do good deeds and the greatness of your giving spirit should never remain unseen. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 26, 2013

The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook. People who do too much rarely, if ever, overlook anything. Keeping things simple, streamlining our lives, does not come easy to us. We clutter our lives with our calendars, overlook an emotional ledger, until we no longer have a grip on anything. We constantly take notes of tasks or chores that need completing. Officer Cook, you were careful and meticulous in all your preparations and this is why you became the top officer who will forever be thought of for their loyalty, honesty and integrity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Keep helping us from God's golden streets in uncluttering that which is secondary in our lives, so that we can focus only at the time on the primary problems that need solving.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 26, 2013

There is an obvious cure for failure-and that is success. But what is the cure for success? Most of us might answer more success. An ego maniac would probably answer like this. A dedicated and loyal police officer such as yourself, Officer Cook, would humbly say I'll only and will always do their best and try to go to great lengths to procure safety and liberty for all. No high wire act is needed. A little Yankee ingenuity perhaps. Self-worth is not measured by external approval. You can be a workaholic driven by addiction and success. If you travel down this path, this long and winding road, you might not return. Your successes my neighbor, friend and hero have gone a long way and continue to swirl round and about the entire Dade County community of which you were a value and cherished member and resident. People should feel great, confident of themselves and in their abilities because of brave officers like you who truly cared for them compassionately and displayed a passion to do right by them. The big picture of yourself proudly wearing your badge and uniform that is hanging in Metro-Dade Police Department's Main Headquarters is really where our eyes should remain focused. Officer Cook, you and the other forty-one other heroes and heroines had your eyes solely squared on protecting us, maybe it is high time we focus on what you've done for us and to never lose sight or track of that purpose for which God placed you and them among us. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 25, 2013

A ten-thousand aspirin job. Work. What do we make of it? What does it give back to us? Work for work's sake. Activity. Obsession. We examine why we work and if it gives us pleasure. You and Karen, Officer Cook, spent quality times together and we wish, I'm sure Karen wishes you were still here to spent many more times in each other's company. God has His plans and I'm certain you probably had to gulp down a few aspirins and attempt to get through your watch. Dereliction to duty God forbid was not in your makeup. or work ethic. If an aspirin could have saved your young life and brought you back to your family, the doctors would have given you a ton of them to be sure. Everything was done for you that day and now God has you safety in His shelter for eternity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 25, 2013

The great secret of success is to go through life as men and women who never get used up. We push ourselves to the maximum. You recognize your personal limits so that what you take on you enjoy through and through. Once the toothpaste is squeezed out of its tube you can't place it back in the tube. Once that awful day occurred and the violent act of that young man transformed peace into unrest, nothing could undo what was do. Once a gun is fired, you cannot put that bullet back in its chamber. Officer Cook, as great a person, as humble and as faithful a police officer you went on to become, you fortified countless lives by your sheer resourcefulness, you never left a stone unturned, using everything in your police authority to calm this man down. Your comrades always could count on you as your loving family came to rely on you when it mattered the most. Make certain nothing is left to chance and whatever is turned over for a positive is guided by your loving hands with God's divine providence passing over them. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 25, 2013

Perhaps the best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time.We ponder the yesterdays, the present and even the tomorrows. But we all must learn to anticipate positive thoughts in a different, gentler light. We can think about our futures, but in smaller increments. Today, truly is the future. It is the present and for your herculean actions on May 16, 1979, Officer Cook, all Dade County citizens can truly have a hope of a much brighter tomorrow. Bedlam, calamity and kayos was replaced with words and your magnificent acts of freedom, calmness, peace and unity. In large part children can unwrap their Christmas or Hanukkah gifts because of your loving and unselfish sacrifice that benefits all. Your devoted family celebrates Christmas knowing you are not far from their sight and has your cherished spirit always surrounding their every movement. Men and women, heroes and heroines truly understand and understood what their actions do mean for those they love, serve and protect. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 25, 2013

To do great work a man must be very idle as well as very industrious. You look at your watch, you are late for a meeting, you run from the building to the next meeting. Clear, logical. unencumbered thinking is done without distraction. And we must never let ourselves think the distractions cause us to be sharper, better thinkers. Officer Cook, you were one of your department's top officers and classical thinkers who thought sanely and calmly how to solve domestic issues of which you were humbly able to bring to a satisfactory ending. Thank God that day you did not decide to go back to headquarters even though you and Reserve Officer Scott Lincoln, your partner that day were not dispatched. You sure were a savior, now one of God's golden angels who without reservation acted to save your comrades and civilians from sure harm, even death. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You never were one to stand by idly and just watch an incident involving your comrades without lending a hand.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 24, 2013

If you don't get everything you want, think of the things you don't get that you don't want. Whatever God did for your family and friends, Officer Cook, made you very proud. and so this was with your police career with the Metro-Dade Police Department. The cars, the trappings, swimming pool, the housekeeper, both your homes where you grew up and where you and Karen lived and thrived were of a very humble and loving nature. Your core values were exactly why you became the man who invigorated the department with all the honesty that was needed to not only function in your position, but to return home safely after each shift. You were born with dignity and it was this very same dignity and integrity for which you were afforded the Inspector's Honors for laying your life down to serve and defend Dade County residents. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 24, 2013

Now that it is all over, what did you do yesterday that was worth mentioning? Plenty, Officer Cook and yet most of us need tangible evidence proof, external evidence of our productivity and our self-worth. We so enamored with the physical manifestations of our accomplishments, we often lose track of our inner voice of the place deep down that houses what is really important to us. It's important for persons to look back each morning, afternoon and at night before one retires to make an inspection of one's acts of that day to see if they were among the goals that you set for yourself. I'm sure you did this, Officer Cook, both you and Karen being the two most honorable individuals who set realistic goals and worked mightily to attain them. Your resounding resolution to do good and to serve and to protect Dade County residents will never be lost in the translation. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. A person's humbleness and humility speaks volumes of a person's character. Yours was quite stellar.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 24, 2013

Do not on any account attempt to write on both sides of the paper at once. If we could, we would. We work at our own steady pace. I will be aware of my demands and my boundaries in the future. Police have demands all the time and boundaries where they serve and protect. Districts where certain activities, some criminal occur more than other areas. These "hot spots" are where more stepped up patrols need to happen. You area, district, Officer Cook, unfortunately was a hotbed for activity, but your supervisors knew you were their go to officer to get the job done right the first time, by the book and to be able to carry on with honor and thoughtfulness. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 24, 2013

No problem is too big to run away from. You never ran from problems, Officer Cook. You tackled them head on. Contemplation is still a trait that all police officers must try their utmost to utilized if they are going to have successful watches. We try not to enlarge our situations, not to overreact, not create mountains out of molehills. As duly trained law enforcement officials, you all have to be able to handle various dilemmas that can arise from time to time and be on call and function in an honorable and dignified manner. Sounds kind of scary, but in order to maintain the law and order necessary for all citizens, it is imperative that all officers practice and comport themselves with integrity. One cannot act like a runaway freight train. The magnitude of your profession incorporates that grace and honesty come before anything else. You were that special kind of officer, that particular individual who knew how to react calmly and yet firmly to resolve a circumstance and turn it into a positive ending for all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You were laid to rest on May 19, 1979 as a true Dade County police hero who made a huge sacrifice to benefit all residents of your time and those of future generations. Never to be out of sight, nor forgotten.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 24, 2013

Get in, get into the place that is your nature, whether it is running a company or picking daisies in the field, get in there and live to it, live to the fullness of it, become what you are and I'll say to you, you have done more than most men and women. Most men... most women...most of them do not ever do that. They'll work at a job and not know why. They will wed a woman and not know why. They will pass and go to their graves and not know why. We must trust ourselves, our inner core, to allow our passions to rise and bloom. We may dream, but afford these dreams to lead us to something pleasant down the golden road. Do what you enjoy doing, what we are meant to do. Live our own lives and live it to our fullest. Officer Cook, you dreamed as do all people. You wed a wonderful woman in Karen. You trusted the advice of not only your loving parents, your sister, Nancy and from Karen, you gained an inner core of insight from your personal friends and the comrades with whom you went out to patrol the streets in an endeavor to do battle with the evil that still pervades our society. You made the most of your youth and utilized your twenty-five years to save and preserve the lives of all Dade County residents. A permanent legacy of which you'll be forever remembered by all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Keeping observing us as we dare to dream and continue inspiring us eternally. We can always look up to the heavens and still envision your beautiful smiling face. The love and warmth that exuded from you can still be felt this day and always. You were a true treasure to all people and that is very much sorely absent today.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 24, 2013

Man's main task in life is to give birth to himself, to become what he personally is. The most important product of his effort is his own personally. We often lock ourselves in what we should be doing. We have to become aware of our self-image and mark the opportunity to serve God and the world He created in a much more honorable fashion. For your entire existence, Officer Cook, this was your mission, not only spiritually, but as a devoted public servant who utilized the proper tools that God presented you with. Your parents received joy and pleasure from both you and your sister, Nancy and you never let anyone down. We should have been there for you. I wish I was there that day to do more for you, but you'll forever being remembered as an outstanding young man who truly cared and made a difference in our community. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 23, 2013

No grand idea was ever born in a conference, but a lot of foolish ideas have died there. We put all our energy and effort into all our endeavors. We champion the causes of honor and dignity. You championed these causes, Officer cook, by your integrity and bravery. We root on the underdogs and the oppressed, they were your community and vital members of our society in which you displayed grand visions of what there futures would be like. Your dedication and perseverance will always remain an important part of your legacy as a Dade County Police Hero. Today, I visited your grave and as always I said a prayer that your soul should watch over your family, friends and colleagues as they get ready to usher in the Christmas and New Year. My family and I have taken in two young ladies who would have been homeless and they are a pleasure to have in our household. We must as you did during your lifetime look after people who are less fortunate than us. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your ideas, Officer Cook have been implemented within your department and within the Central Division and I'm sure they are so vital to the success and survival of all its officers.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 22, 2013

Action without knowledge not only is directionless, but can be dangerous. Knowledge without action, on the other hand, is fruitless. An architect can plan for years, draw blueprints and hire builders, but if the building is never erected, all the preparation amounts to nothing. In our material world, the bottom line is action. The relationship, the correlation between knowledge and action is like the relationship between the soul and the body. without the soul, the body would be lifeless and without the body, the soul would be unable to carry out its best intentions. But together, the body and soul form one healthy unit. Similarly, your knowledge infuses your conduct with vitality, direction and meaning. Officer Cook, your loving being, helped fuse together in unity and in peace the citizens of Dade County, bringing new meaning and life to the words, responding to the call of action. Your mind was sharp and kept sharp by your upbringing which is so very vital to all members of law enforcement if they are going to be able to handle and to carry out the rigors that their professions entail. The process you undertook to become a Metro-Dade Police Officer was begun at an early stage of your life when your mind could stay focused on the tasks at hand driving you with the positive energy and zeal making it possible for you to achieve stardom within its fine departments and to become a very loyal and honest contributor to its ranks. Knowledge can be a dangerous tool when placed in the wrong hands, as can be power. But with yourself, one of God's ever faithful and devout servants, the knowledge and skill you attained made your official actions on May 16, 1979 standout for all time here in your home of the Metro-Dade Police Department where you and forty-one other brave and courageous men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice ensuring the liberty and freedoms of choice for all its residents. Your legacy is forever etched in marble as the foundation for other officers to try and emulate. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 21, 2013

Many of us get caught up in making ends meet and I'm sure you, Officer Cook, you and Karen, as were most young couples in the 70's doing what needed to be done to produce the necessary means to keep a house flourishing. You both had to work every hard and a lot of times very long hours on your shifts to produce the desired result. All people have to work tirelessly. Your professions were honest and hard working positions that required sacrifice, compassion, passion, loyal and devoted care and honesty, with a bit of dignity and integrity incorporated within. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 18, 2013

Run if you like, but try to keep your breath; work like a man, but don't be worked to death. Some of us are driven to fill our days with work, with accomplishments, with meetings, exchanges of one kind or another, we need to apportion those hours with time for our children, our significant other partner, a spouse, hobbies, our true selves. You never being busy, Officer Cook, but I'm sure you and Karen found the time to spend together doing quality work for the Dade County community. Your zest to achieve was brought about through your father and mother's diligence in enhancing both your life and career and that of your loving sister, Nancy. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 18, 2013

Wealth is not his who has it, but his who enjoys it. I will look to the people in my life who give me the wealth of kindness and understanding rather than to the things I've acquired over the time I spent filling my life with possessions. You spent you entire life, Officer Cook, with spreading your good name and in doing so have circulated a legacy among Dade County Police heroes and heroines that will last forever. I can't imagine anyone who lived a more humbler life with his wife, Karen and being raised with the values that many unfortunately have missed being raised with today. You made it matter most when needed and for this you'll surely be honored. You honored Our Creator and now He has you sheltered in His wings to see to it that other below Him are doing the same actions. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 17, 2013

I meant to say, Officer Cook, your well-lived life characterized by your faith and dogged pursuit of peace and a unity that is so important to each and every community. Words fail when heroes fall. How humble a saying. Sometimes one does not know what to say or how to address a family that is dealing with the grief of losing a loved one. It is the hardest thing in the world to accept a little success and leave it that way. That's true for some folks with egos the size of watermelons. Police officers need to be confident in all their abilities in order to patrol and to maintain proper law and order. This means checking your ego at the station's front door before entering to start your daily tasks.You were able to achieve this principle, Officer cook, because you grew up following your loving parents advice to remain humble and true to your word as this is a person's bond. Your comrades knew how much you were respected and admired by all. You're terribly missed this day and everyday, but your legacy was sealed when you placed your existence ahead of Dade County residents to help quell a terrible situation on that awful day of May 16, 1979. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. God takes His humble and faithful public servants and gives them a unique and most interesting challenge. Help Him patrol His Golden streets and direct His hand in guiding those officers in this land to safety as they patrol some of the most violent territories.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 17, 2013

If there is a rhythm to our work, there is also rhythm to our memory and many of our memories give us peace. It is great men and women so courageous you could not tell it by how they led their lives and followed them up with storied and yet humble careers shunning the limelight. And you were one of many humble heroes and heroines, Officer Cook, who shunned the spotlight and let your calming presence and serene confidence carry you through each day. One can conjure up so many pleasant and beautiful memories of a well lived light characterized by your faith and dogged pursuit of peace and unity in your community. Your family, friends and colleagues can certainly look back at a legacy full of endearing perspectives and recognize you did your job right and with a positive zest enhanced by grace, fortitude, honor and intellectual integrity. this surely won't ever be overlooked. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 16, 2013

READ- Real easy attitude daily. If only all not just most police officers would buy into this logic, you can figure out the picture where the scenarios would be different. Police work takes on different interpretations everywhere you stop and look. Here in Metropolitan Miami-Dade County, officers such as yourself, Officer Cook, bought into this logic and it was because of your unassuming manner that you were fortunate to carry out such a distinguished career in both your personal and professional life. You are always spoke of and thought of in the highest of esteem. The regard you had for all citizens helped to maintain the volume of vitality and honesty that your profession yearns for. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero in eternal vitality as you and your so many comrades who dared to conquer and in the process laid down their lives for the sanctity of society.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 15, 2013

Wisdom is knowing when you can't be wise. Change, move, alter, perfect, rearrange. Keep moving. So many of us put a lid on our wisdom by rarely, if ever, taking the time to reflect on our strengths. It takes a new method of thinking and of inner patience to start to be straight with ourselves about what we can and cannot do. We all have limits, police officers have them, but they have to overcome in order to better the public. When is it better for me not to get involved, you could say, so what other officers have answered the call. Don't need to take a stand, make a decision or do what needs doing. Officer Cook, you made wise and sound decisions, took responsibility and accountability for your actions. These actions saved seven people from near certain death, four of them your own fellow comrades. Commendable service, courageous commitment have all followed you up that heavenly ladder to God's golden roads which you now watch over. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You delivered all the answers to all the questions that were placed before you and never once backed off from any challenge leveled before you.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 15, 2013

Wisdom is knowing when you can't be wise. Change, move, alter, perfect, rearrange. Keep moving. So many of us put a lid on our wisdom by rarely, if ever, taking the time to reflect on our strengths. It takes a new method of thinking and of inner patience to start to be straight with ourselves about what we can and cannot do. We all have limits, police officers have them, but they have to overcome in order to better the public. When is it better for me not to get involved, you could say, so what other officers have answered the call. Don't need to take a stand, make a decision or do what needs doing. Officer Cook, you made wise and sound decisions, took responsibility and accountability for your actions. These actions saved seven people from near certain death, four of them your own fellow comrades. Commendable service, courageous commitment have all followed you up that heavenly ladder to God's golden roads which you now watch over. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 15, 2013

Always do one thing less than you think you can do. Some folks have eyes bigger than their stomachs, looking to ingest anything and everything in their systems. One should measure their tasks so that we don't become enslaved by them. You were not enslaved, Officer Cook, you surely took care of the business end of every watch demanding no less then quality not only from yourself, but by the other members of either your squad. It wasn't if it is an emergency I'll respond, or I was not dispatched to the scene. Officer Cook, you and your partner that day, Reserve Officer Scott Lincoln took the "proverbial bull by the horns" and responded quickly and without any reservation as to the consequences that would follow. Your heroism is everlasting in that all the fine men and women who worked alongside of you will always know you were their true friend, mentor and colleague who could engage them with a sense of humor, million dollar smile and an open optimism that all things would workout well in the end. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 15, 2013