Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Forget the great executives, the men of measured movement, forget the men with careful smiles. In our lives starting in childhood, we learn to measure everything. We quantify happiness, measure accomplishment and meter work. We can't begin to measure the heart of the brave women and men of law enforcement who lay their lives down on a daily basis for our security. Officer Cook, your work ethic was measured by your loving and caring thoughtfulness and your humbleness in helping others succeed. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 11, 2013

By letting go, it all gets done: The world is won by those who let it go. No one wanted to let go of you on May 16, 1979, Officer Cook, it's just that after you answered God's calling, He needed you for a more important heavenly mission. Your body was not tired, nor the flame that kept your beautiful soul shining, you did not go into hiding for we can still see the beauty in that smiling face that nourished the hearts and minds of family, friends and esteemed colleagues. Let us all deliberate that things are getting done, your work here my neighbor, friend and hero was too valued to be set aside. your physical watch has ended, that does not mean at sunset we put the tools in the shed and forget about how you valiantly relied upon good judgment to facilitate excellence in this community. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 10, 2013

I did not mean to say we are bound to follow implicity in whatever our fathers did. To do so would be to discard all the lights of current experience-to reject all progress, all improvement. To not respect today's officers, those who survived, retired or were God forbid killed while performing their assigned duties would be the ultimate outrage and a major lack of consideration. We place our hopes, dreams and inspirations, as we do with our safety and protection, not only in God's palms, but in the uniforms and shiny badges of those who take a solemn affirmation to serve with dignity and integrity. For all this, Officer Cook, you went beyond the call to insure our unity and freedoms. Dade County will forever be indebted to you and your colleagues for bravely and willingly shielding us from any harm. You were a very sincere and special person. May you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 10, 2013

Every generation must go farther than the last or what's the use in it? Every police officer must dig deep and mount every ounce of their energies to bring about peace and security. There is no time lollygag around. Officers of your generation, Officer Cook, who like yourself made the ultimate sacrifice to secure and preserve the peace so vital to the future plans of this modern day world, need to be forever remembered and cherished for giving up something we who walk this Earth take for granted. We eat, sleep, work, some daydream, others walk around with not much attached to them personally and because of your courage and commitment we can always sleep sounder at night while we think of you as though you are still with us and you are in spirit, that can never be extinguished. You just keep glowing from God's heavens, we see you and hope to reunite once again with you. For now, rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 10, 2013

The history of progress is written in the lives of infidels. The history of progress is etched or should be carved in the gravestone of every police officer who contributes to no more a nobler cause than to sacrifice their brave lives for the safety and sanctity of their communities. Your young life, Officer Cook, was founded on the principles of honor, decorum and being civil at all times to one and all. Your loving parents ingrained these values in both you and in your sister, Nancy, who cherishes you, her darling little brother. You were the apple of everyone's eye. We Shall Be One, words that every time I visit your final resting place send a chill up and down my spine as I pause to reflect on the meaning of life and how you treasured each and every moment of it. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 10, 2013

The slogan of progress is changing from the full dinner plate to the full garage. This slogan always changes and now it is just not a rather mundane change, it is a change for the betterment of society. Officer Cook, you were one of the captains, if you will in seeing to it that the ship and its compass has maintained its steady heading all these years after you served the citizens with dignity, honor and integrity. Your personal fortitude never wavered nor broke apart. The spirits of your department and division were dampened and momentarily shaken by your loss, but I'm sure you would want all of your colleagues to pick up and continue with your watch. Hope and pray that one day we will see your spirit as it coasts above the big blue moon. Progress shall not regress nor digress. Whenever we make any plans, we should never have you out of sight, for you stood in there on May 16, 1979, one last time to fight for our freedoms and an everlasting peace in a community where you were so beloved and endeared by all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Progress needs the brakeman, but the brakeman should not spend all their time putting on the brakes. Full speed ahead and accentuate positives, your motto, Officer Cook, never look back, all eyes in front.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 9, 2013

I do not pin my dreams for the future to my country or even my race. I think it probable that civilization somehow will last long as I care to look ahead. Someway, somehow, we must forge ahead in spite of police officers, all excellent, brave men and women constantly making sacrifices that will better serve us and the society in which we all breathe and function. You paved the trails for a brighter tomorrow, Officer Cook, and because of your valor and perseverance, we can all share in the same goals as any other person who wants the opportunity of a promising future. Of course, your being with us with supposed to be part of the plan, but God, Our grand planner had other loftier plans for bravery displayed by yourself and other fine officers. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 9, 2013

Walk with purpose and collide with destiny. Cost is the father and compensation is the mother. Judging by your terrific upbringing, Officer Cook, it is no wonder you were a marvelously talented and yet a very faithful and humble servant of God. You placed your life on the line each day and now the purposes for which your traveled, have allowed you to be forever in God's shelter, where if there were any collisions, let them only be in the good Lord's name. Keep up with your policing of Our creator's golden roads as you did for six years here in Dade County. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. May all our purposes have logic, reason and proper instincts in each direction guiding us to newer challenges.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 9, 2013

His philosophical approach is superficial, overly simplistic, one-dimensional. What he preaches is pure economic pap, glossed over with uplifting homilies ans inspirational chatter. Yet so far the guy is making it work. Appalled by what seems to me a lack of depth. I stand in awe nevertheless of his political skill. I am sure that I have seen its equal. First of all, your mannerisms, Officer Cook, were never superficial. When the situations demanded simplicity you did just that. When more complex maneuvers were to be employed you could rise to the occasion. The most loyal, dedicated and hardest working police officer, you are sure to be remembered forever and your shining legacy will never be tarnished. The uplifting eulogies that were spoken at your Inspector's Funeral and the Mass were delivered with the utmost humility befitting a true hero and even more a terrifically humble human being. We all stand in awe of all your accomplishments and praise Our Creator for giving us your loving presence among mere mortals, you handled things with true class and dignity, your faith allowed you to conduct your daily affairs personally and professionally with the honesty that police work calls out for. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your loving spirit continues to enlighten and inspire all who carry the badge of the Metro-Dade Police Department.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 7, 2013

His life has been so sudden and his fighting so aggressive, that most people think he never thinks, that every act is born of the impulse of the moment. The public man is the private man and his friends have no advantage in acquaintance with him over strangers. Your life of public service and professionalism has been and forever duly noted, Officer Cook. You stood for truth, justice, peace and unity in the Dade County community and the citizens you served realized they had a true blue humble hero in their midst. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend or hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 5, 2013

I made my mistakes, but in all my years of public life I have never profited, never profited from public service. I've earned every cent. And in all my years in public life I have never obstructed justice....I welcome this kind of examination because people have got to know whether or not their law enforcement officers are totally honest or not. Well, I was honest and earned everything I've got. You sure were, Officer Cook, there might have been those who said you were too nice a person to become a police officer, but you led by example in both character and in morals so vital to performing a very dangerous job. You personified grace and integrity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 5, 2013

We have to move ahead, but we are not going to leave anyone behind. I'm certain you would want us to move forward in all our efforts, Officer Cook. You have left this world for the next world, but because of your sacrifice, this world and the community you served with grace, dignity and integrity will forever remain in unity and freedom. You moved many by your displays of humbleness and efficiency. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 3, 2013

Our life is frittered away by detail... simplify, simplify. If only the lives of police officers were really just that simple. They try to lead not only quietly, but by the examples and morals that endeavor to make them safe and protected when out on patrol. We should all be proponents, as you were of this Officer Cook. You did your job with the utmost caution and use of common sense. We should not waste our times with trivial matters, just stay happy, healthy and at peace. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 3, 2013

Waves of serener life pass over us from time to time, like flakes of sunlight over the fields in cloudy weather. No matter the day, no matter the time, no matter the atmospheric conditions that exist outdoors, you'll truly be remembered, Officer Cook, as an inspiration to all. You truly imbued the values of living a serene and humble life, even with your engaging sense of humor. An adventurous individual, you enjoyed the quieter times when you could be alone or with a relative or friend snapping off the most transparent pictures of God's green fields or hunting for something in the wilderness. Let us hope as we pray each day that peace and true serenity come to this world because of your exploits in making the ultimate sacrifice so we can view both clouds and the brightness of a sun splashed day that assist in dispelling the darkness that still rears its ugliness in our society. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 3, 2013

There are two things to aim at in life; first to get what you want; and after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. You only and always set your goals high, Officer Cook, as should all mankind. You can't be frightened away if you fail the first time out of the box. As the saying goes most diplomatically, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again! Your dreams were reached through inspiration, perseverance and more often than not, hard work, both grueling and grinding. Physically and mentally taxing, but you stayed the course and success paid off and you reaped the dividends at day's end. We are all proud of you, now just keep shining your loving spirit down upon us as we all endeavor to be half as good as you were. Saving those seven people on May 16, 1979, you'll be forever endeared to your comrades and to those citizens whose lives you saved by your unselfishness never to be replicated. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 1, 2013

I gloated on existence, no you did not. Earth to me, seemed all-sufficient and my sojourn there one trembling opportunity for joy. Officer Cook, you made people, your family members laugh with your sense of humor. But it was no coincidence that you did your job and carried yourself with grace and humility personified. Your twenty-five years were well crafted and most meaningful in a most dignified and sanctified fashion. Mother Earth truly had one of its very special brothers carryout a dangerous task that most would not dare come near. You dared to explore, you risked so we could reap the rewards that safety and unity bring with them to a community. God has indeed rewarded you my neighbor, friend and hero as He has you forever close to Him for everlasting care. Rest in peace. No one takes a beating like a boaster, you will humbly be remembered as a compassionate and caring human being.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 1, 2013

There is no cure for birth and for death save to enjoy the interval. You treasured life, Officer Cook and cherished the proud moments of which you presented to your whole family. Your faith and the spirit by which you supported yourself and Karen, was one of genuine honesty, fostered by a passion you had to assist all people regardless of who they were or where they resided. This giving continues and will forever, your tragic passing has not derailed the hopes, dreams and inspirations of your family and friends who all carry your engaging spirit close to their hearts and minds. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, as I look at your photo of you proudly wearing your uniform on The Officer Down memorial Page, some forty years ago, I am reminded that truly nice people, honest men and women of devout faith and in character really do make a difference. "Only The Good Die Young" this phrase still perplexes most if not all people, but Our Creator has already mapped out our lives and those of His heavenly bound police angels such as yourself. When destiny comes calling, let us be solemn in our resolve to answer that call as you lived your life in a most humbly and profound manner.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 1, 2013

Nothing can be meaner than the anxiety to live on, to live on anyhow and in any shape; a spirit with any honor is not willing to live except in its own way and a spirit with any wisdom is not over-eager to live at all. Your loving family, your wife, Karen and all your comrades and friends outside of the police department wanted you to stay safe and worried as did your loving parents that you would return home safely. from what I've heard, Officer Cook, you always stopped by your parents home to check on your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook and how can you be any greater a loving child to look after their welfare. I do hope you are doing well out in San Diego, California. Your beloved son, will always occupy a very special place in the hearts of my loving family and "Bill," your "Billy," Officer William C. Cook will always be saluted as a hero and celebrated for the life and career he cherished and pursued in dignity, integrity and with an honor that humbly speaking made him a cut above the others. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 1, 2013

That life is worth living is the most necessary of assumptions and were it not assumed, it would be the most impossible of conclusions. All lives are valuable and those of our duly sworn and trained law enforcement personnel bear much meaning in that they strive to achieve commitment while policing their streets in their communities in an effort to gain peace, unity and freedom for the citizens to pursue whatever their hearts desire. Officer Cook, you were a mainstay of your department and its division, whose maturity and talents enabled your wisdom to shine through to your comrades in times of stress and duress. Your wit and sagely advice mattered the most when it was called for. This wit and advice surely is and has been felt throughout the ranks of future officers for all these years after you made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of Dade County citizens. It has been embedded in their hearts and minds and has stayed attached to the uniforms they wear and the badges they carry solemnly with them while out on patrol. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 1, 2013

Life is too strong for you-it takes life to love life. You embraced this motto, Officer Cook, to the zenith. Police officers make sacrifices to preserve both the sanctity and the dignity of life that Our Creator gives to all men and women He creates. For all your life of twenty-five wonderful years- engaging, smiling, working day and night to secure freedom, liberty and unity in a community that was so dear to your heart, You sacrificed for the betterment of each person and I can't think of a better way to submit these words. As a top-notch and very talented Metro-Dade Police Officer, you were able to make a happy moment out of the darkest moment. To smile, keep a sense of humor and yet maintain a straight face when approaching a dilemma, this states it quite well. The people of Dade County have a lot to be thankful for while participating in their Thanksgiving holiday. It was brave women and men with your fortitude that enables us and our children to play in our streets and be safe at their schools where they laugh, learn and play in the school yards. It is heroes and heroines of your pedigree who make things happen. The real movers who get it done with grace, integrity and a keen sense of vision are those we don't forget! Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 30, 2013

A little while the tears and laughter, the willow and the rose; a little while and what comes after no man knows. An hour to sing, to love and linger, then lutanist and lute will fall on silence, song and singer both be mute. Today, sixty years ago you were born in California, Officer Cook, today was supposed to be a happy day for your family, I'm sure it will be for some, though today is tinged with sadness because you are not here to celebrate your birthday. You were a mover and shaker who did not hesitate to achieve in getting things accomplished, both in your private life with Karen, who loved you so dearly. Your sister, Nancy, who adored you, your loving parents, Mr. Charles Cook and your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook. Your nephew, Mr. Josh Hyatt, your niece, Mrs. Gina Wilkerson, whom I had the privilege to meet and her husband, Trevor and their children, who I met. I met your other nephew, Justin Miller and gave him a letter to take to his grandmother, your loving mother and she answered with a very moving and poignant letter. When I first received the letter, I cried like a baby. We can cry today, as those who mourned you thirty-four years ago cried as you were being honored and hailed as our Dade County Police Department hero for both your outstanding performance in the line of duty, coupled with your bravery, courage and a renewed sense of fighting spirit. You are missed tremendously by every person who came into contact with you both professionally and personally. You will never be forgotten! You will always be admired by all citizens and your entire department and the Central Department where you shared some wonderfully loving and humble years. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The good name of Officer William C. "Billy" Cook will live on in the city of North Miami Beach where you grew up and shared a richly charitable and honorable life and police career. Your name will be honored here one day and I for one will God willing see this come to fruition.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 30, 2013

Most men and women make the voyages of life as if they carried sealed orders which they were not to open until they were fairly in mid-ocean. Police officers receive their orders each and everyday at roll call. Once they go out on the streets to patrol in their venue, the utmost caution must be taken. You proudly walked your beat, Officer Cook, with the valor and a sense of urgency that your position called for. And you were very deliberating and diligent in all your efforts. Your six years of loyal service to Dade County residents has been better than some officers who thought straying from righteous was the answer in solving the problems that ail our society. You were a top police officer who now sits atop God's loftiest throne with other officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Keep observing and watching over those diligent officers who dare to risk their lives in search of peace and unity sorely necessary to help this world stay balanced.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 28, 2013

Ships that pass in the night and speak of each other in passing, only a signal shown and a distant voice in the darkness; so on the ocean of life, we pass and speak one another, only a look and a voice, then darkness again and a silence. Police officers come and go, they fulfill their commitments with honor and pride, it's when they give up their lives, making the ultimate sacrifice, do we really stop, pause and reflect upon the prestigious role they played in our society in keeping us safe and secure. You were a marvelous officer, Officer Cook, your voice somehow today can still be felt reverberating around Dade County where you exhibited the utmost class, dignity and passion you brought to the daily rigors that police work requires. Your enlightening soul brings this world the light it sorely needs to dispel the darkness of evil. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The photos you took of the waves bouncing off the shore by the ocean will one day be brought back to life. A good man who won't be forgotten

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 28, 2013

Today, I visited your grave as this coming Saturday, November 30th would have been your birthday. A man of valor, courage, compassion who gave this world all that you had. You were a great man, Officer Cook, but even a humbly and arored police hero. I told your great-nephew, Legend, when I last saw him at you rmother and father's house, I'll bet your great-uncle would still have a full head of hair and even a greater smile. You and your sisters, Skyler and Alexis, Legend would have cherished your great-uncle and you all would have been given the world by him. He will never be forgotten by myself or my family and one day, we want you and you rfamily to dine with us. We have two pretty special young ladies staying with us who would enjoy your company. Do you remember when I played soccer in your great-grandparents yard? You can play basketball in our backyard. Your family, your mother and father are always going to be special as will your great-uncle looking down on all of you and smiling. He was the greatest! Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Hopefully, I can put those pinwheels down by your grave Officer Cook real soon. You deserved to still be with us and your valor and commitment will remain legendary.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 26, 2013

I don't think you can lead from a position of vacillation. If you are going to lead, you have got to decide to advance whether the issue is one you feel is worth fighting about. If it is not, then you take no position at all. But if it is worth fighting about, you have got to take a clear-cut position and get all of the advantage that comes from being out in front. That fateful day of May 16, 1979, I believe there were five police officers who were involved in trying to stop an out of control young man from harming these brave officers, the civilians who were involved in this domestic dispute. When the situation was finally stopped one of those brave officers, yourself, Officer Cook, had your life taken in the line of duty. When police officers seem to have an upper hand, this is not always so clear-cut. You were brave and courageous in coming to the aid to help protect your comrades who were wounded by his gunfire and you saved the lives of those three civilians including this young man's girlfriend all along while sacrificing on behalf of all citizens of Dade County. You will never be forgotten. Your moral and professional foundation will always stand tall forever throughout our great land of these United States of America. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 25, 2013