Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I grew up two doors down from Officer Cook. I was four years younger than him, so we never really spoke too much. Still I remember that day in May, 1979 when all the police cars came rolling up to the Cook residence. While none of us really knew what had happened, we somehow, knew it was not good. later we learned that Billy (yes, that is what the neighborhood called him) had been shot and killed in the line of duty.

My vague recollections of him are that he was friendly and helpful. Basically just a stand up guy that wanted to do the right thing.

Perhaps the most telling tribute is that all these years later I thought of his name, and googled it, and found this site. This is particularly so in a day and age where so many "heroes" don't deserve the title, and many are truly despicable.

The selflessness, courage and humility of Wm. C. "Billy" Cook exemplify heroism. His dedication and sacrifice were absolute. His family's loss is profound. No doubt, Mrs. Cook's pain has never waned, nor that of his sister or other family members.

May it provide the Cook family some small measure of comfort and solace that his life is remembered by some kid that barely knew him that lived down the street, and knows he was able to grow up, go to school and live in a free society because of the character, honor and sense of duty that was Wm. C. "Billy" Cook.

Scott Olifant
Lawyer (now), brat down the street in 1979

September 17, 2013

Your character, Officer Cook and the integrity and honor you brought to your department, your family, friends and colleagues more than begins to give us a glimpse of the past. You set the bar, better yet, you raised the bar of excellence with your graceful mannerisms and calming approach in solving community issues that arose while you patrolled the streets. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 16, 2013

A morsel of genuine history, a thing so rare as to be always valuable. A look back into the history of your department, Officer Cook, records forever the actions of the brave men and women like yourself who sacrificed their lives for the protection and freedom of Dade County and its citizens. History can never be changed, although we can look back and always and only have positive things to comment on your impeccable life and a career so wonderfully carried out in truth and justice done the proper way. You administered to your community in a very concerning and loyal fashion. All forty-two officers including yourself, my neighbor, friend and hero all deserve kudos and the homage due to a hero. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 16, 2013

I meant to say, Officer Cook, that sometimes you must do the thing you cannot do. The many things you did for society will never be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 15, 2013

Sometimes you must do the ting you cannot do. You only did what you were instructed to do by your parents, Officer Cook. This transferred over to the police force and made you the mature and marvelous inspiration that you became to all officers past and the present. Inspirations are people and or ideals, values that we should all strive to imbue within our very lives today. Seeing and recognizing your name, my neighbor, friend and hero, etched on a marble wall, your name placed on a green sign at NW 75th Street and NW 17th Avenue and on a brick located at Tropical Park in Miami should make us realize more so your value not only in Miami-Dade County Florida , but around the country. This has stood for over thirty-four years as your lasting legacy of devotion, honor, integrity, commitment, loyalty and faithfulness on an unwavering and on a daily basis to inspire us to aspire to newer heights. Don't be afraid to take a challenge and attempt to achieve stardom in a most fitting and humble manner. You and your fellow comrades from Dade County and its other fine departments, who gave up their lives in the performance of your duties deserve all the honors that come your way. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 15, 2013

Some succeed because they are destined to, but most succeed because they are determined to. You were always devoted to making the streets of Dade County safe, Officer Cook. Your firmness and unmatched dignity and integrity propelled your career to where most people just sit and dream about. Your popularity within your division was why you were looked up to and very much respected by your peers and supervisors. You were a delightful and thought provoking individual to be next to in the station house and your maturity and loving nature and playful jokes and lightheartedness is very much missed today. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. I'm certain you and your loving father, Charles, may he too rest in peace are sharing some jovial moments. With all the tragedies that have befallen your loving family, your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, is one resounding and a truly marvelous woman of faith, character and she should continue to enjoy good health, peace and much prosperity in her nearly ninety-eight years of life. A wonderful human being to say for sure, would still cherish the opportunity to meet and talk with her.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 15, 2013

If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost, that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them. For twenty-five years of your life, Officer Cook, every point, every moment was only built with a steady foundation and a purpose to it. For six devoted and dedicated years of police work, my neighbor, friend and hero, you laid the foundation for future officers. You poured the concrete that helped create the paths by which they could continue your watch, walking as humbly and loyally with the same sense of calm in their voices as they met everyday challenges in their community of what you were an integral part of. I'm sure you enjoyed building sandcastles on the beach and now for your loving services you rendered in valor, may you rest in peace in God's heavenly castle where you are being sheltered for eternal safekeeping. I'm trying to locate some whirlybirds or windmills that I can place down near your grave. Your spirit continues to make the world go around.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 15, 2013

Every obstacle is a stepping stone to your success. I can't fathom too many obstacles that interfered with you, Officer Cook, becoming the valiant and dignified officer Metro-Dade Police Department came to know and cherish. Each of your moments, your days, your life and its purposes were treasured indeed. And this is precisely why we honor those brave women and men who choose to wear a police uniform and voluntarily attempt to deal with society's ailments. When one dies in the line of duty, it's as if all officers "took that bullet," for one common and overwhelmingly reason, because they chose to serve, they chose to meet each and every challenge as undaunting as they may seem, head on without fear, without hesitation as you bravely performed your duties on our behalf, my neighbor, friend and hero for our community on May 16, 1979. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 15, 2013

You become successful the minute you start moving toward a worthwhile goal. It all started when you were born, Officer cook and all your journeys in life continued for the next twenty-five years. You were not only a solid citizen, but a first class top notch and honorable police officer with the Metro-Dade Police Department. For giving your being and laying down your life for us, you and your comrades now patrolling God's golden streets above can have the most pleasant eternal dreams and may your souls travel where no one can travel to. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Sleep soundly as you watch and observe us dreaming and succeeding mightily. It's the way you humbly and with a large dose of humility achieved in life and should still had the opportunity to give back more to this society where you helped get a handle on evil.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 15, 2013

The key to happiness is having dreams-the key to success is making dreams come true. The key to your successful life and career, Officer Cook, was your loving parents raising you and your loving sister, Nancy and imbuing values within you. Your brought only happiness to those who you came in contact with either personally or professionally. Karen was your loving soul mate and partner in all of your pursuits in life and in your careers together. You were both very charitable and hospitable to any and every person who needed assistance. Your cherished life and commitment to bravery in serving Dade County will only and forever remain your shining legacy for all to view. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Just wish you were here to spread your happy and bright smile which will continue to motive and inspire us all.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 15, 2013

Health is the first muse and sleep is the condition to produce it. You always took good care of yourself, Officer Cook and you had the very best woman in your life who saw to it. Karen was always there for you and you were there for her. That week that you were taken from your family, friends and colleagues, was going to be your first weekend off now that you were working days. I'm sure you and Karen had grand plans to spend the time off with one another, as all police officers wives relish the times they have together with their spouses. There is a saying: Man thinks and God laughs. we never know what Our Creator has planned for us. In happiness and in sadness, I do know no one God forbid ever plans for an Inspector's Funeral with all the honors due its heroes and heroines. You were our humble and lovingly devoted hero to all. Your beloved family, your giving friends, your courageous comrades who attended your mass and services at the Cathedral of St. Mary's on Saturday, May 19, 1979, to pay their respects and homage to your sacred oath in service and protection to Dade County and its citizens. Your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, God bless her heart, your beloved wife, Karen, God bless her for sharing you, her much beloved husband and her devoted partner in life with this community you so cherished and loved. To your beloved sister, Nancy, for honoring and cherishing her "darling little brother" with us and for helping inspire and shape his life along with your parents. Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero, you always will be my inspiration along with my beloved parents, may you all rest in peace. My dad will always be my first inspiration as he too was a longtime New York City Police Officer for thirty-eight years spread out over five decades. Next time I meet your family members I'll share the story of why he became a police officer.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 15, 2013

Nothing happens unless first a dream. A person is born. Then they start to crawl. Then they start to walk, while all along they try to imitate sounds and eventually they talk and make some sense. Police work is nothing like that. Even though, you started out as a recruit, Officer Cook, in the Miami-Dade Community College Police Academy. They put you and your fellow recruits through the rigors of what police work is all about, day in and day out. This way they can see who has the physical and mental stamina that it takes to make a police officer out of yourselves. This was your lifelong goal, you were never afraid to work hard and neither was your beloved wife, Karen, who worked hard studying to become a registered nurse. Two professions with common bonds: passion and compassion. Calming voices are necessary both in police work and in the nursing profession if one is going to accomplish their goals of making people both healthy and safe. It does take some courage to become a nurse. particularly when needles have to be given to patients. Patience in both is required to keep people safe and secure. You looked out for all people and readily accepted freely the challenges of police work in a humble and loving fashion. This is why today you are remembered by those who served with you. You were their friend who could be counted on when the going got tough. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 15, 2013

Winners never quit. Quitters never win. Brave and courageous men and women like yourself, Officer Cook, never give up with a fight. Tragically that day after a prolonged gun battle, three out of five officers were lying on a hot pavement having been shot by a young man who become unglued from the realities of life and the respect one must afford law enforcement officers. You were sadly one of those three officers, Officer Cook, so young and full of life. But you did not give up, you held your ground, saved your comrades lives, while surrendering yours voluntarily as their hero and friend. Your commitment to your division and department was truly unwavering as you followed protocol that day courageously risking your life to bring peace and unity to the community you so faithfully served and protected. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 15, 2013

When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this-you have not. A very worthwhile saying for all men and women who work in the profession of law enforcement. That day of May 16, 1979, you tried every possible means of asking a young man to surrender, Officer Cook and to no avail. Considering you were a block away from this scene with your partner that day, Reserve Officer, Scott Lincoln, and yet you were not required to answer that call as your two fellow officers, Officer DiGenova and Officer Robert Edgerton were there already and yet you and Officer Lincoln demonstrated your resolve by going speaks volumes how amazing a person you were. Your bravery, courage and valor was solid as you assisted your friends, your colleagues and saved them and those three civilians. I guess in life when all else fails, perhaps we throw in the towel and concede too easily. You were not that type of individual or police officer to do so. Your calming voice that day should have swayed that young man to give up and come quietly with you where you would have gotten him the much needed help he sorely required. You are missed by all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 15, 2013

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Your future was bright, Officer Cook and you still had so much more to contribute to this world. Your commitment will never be forgotten and you did pave the proper trail for other officers to follow. Your life and career has not passed any of us by and because of your cunning and swiftness to action on May 16, 1979, can officers now possess these side panels not yet present during your watch. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 14, 2013

The distance between a person's dream and their accomplishments can only be measured by their desire. We never had to take a ruler out to ever measure your heart, Officer Cook. It was bigger than ever when it came to your devotion and loyalty to your friends. Your Division Chief, Dale Bowlin knew you were one of his very best and most dependable police officers. The strength you possessed my neighbor, friend and hero could never be matched by anyone nor could your work ethic be questioned ever. We'll never have to pull out that yardstick, Officer Cook, because we all know your cherished soul is just above us always looking down and watching our every endeavor making certain we are exerting every last ounce of our energy in making good things happen.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 14, 2013

Some people dream of success, while others wake up and work hard at it. You not only were always alert, Officer Cook, but you awakened other officers to wake up and smell the coffee. Your accomplishments trickled down your division and within your department. It's great to dream, as long as there is a purpose for one to go about achieving success. We can dream about anything, but where you are now resting in peace, my neighbor, friend and hero, eternity awaits its heroes and heroines who dared to dream and in pursuing their goals were among the chosen few who succeeded as you did in sacrificing their souls for our securities. And none of you will ever be forgotten

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 14, 2013

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you fail to focus on your goals. You were not scared away from pursuing your lifetime dream of becoming a police officer, Officer Cook. Your tenaciousness was the very reason you achieved in all your endeavors. Your humility and grace on the job was very endearing to your colleagues as they recognized your prowess in dealing with all and any circumstances you would have encountered. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 14, 2013

As tonight is our Day of Atonement, it's called Yom Kippur, a time in which Jewish people across the world, fast, pray and repent for their transgressions. I hope and pray and ask for forgiveness if I might have either said or reflecting anything about you that was not fitting or proper. I would never ever do this and my reflections only and forever represent the great and humble character of your life and career. You were loved and adored by many and on Tuesday, September 17, 2013, Officer Cook, your beloved mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, will celebrate her 98th birthday in San Diego, California. You should have many more in good health Mrs. Cook. I wished you could have stayed in North Miami Beach, Florida, my wife, Holly and I could have taken care of you and your needs and our sons, Matthew and Joshua would have had a grandmother in their lives as now both of their grandparents have passed on to the next left. For now my neighbor, friend and hero, rest in peace. You are absolutely the true and most humble and faithful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. I was glad to have met your three great-grandchildren at your home. Your son, Bill was a gem of a person and heroic in all his actions.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 13, 2013

Cherish your visions and your dreams as they're the children of your soul, the blueprint of your ultimate achievements. Officer Cook, your blueprint of your life and career, outstanding and distinguished as they both were needs one to only look back and to reflect upon it. Your legacy my neighbor, friend and hero will always and forever be in that glass case for all to view as now the onus that once rested on your shoulders serving and protecting Dade County citizens is now in the competent hands of other brave and bold men and women. Rest in peace. I'll always say that you and Karen would have made superb parents, it was in your DNAs.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 13, 2013

Persistence prevails when all else fails. This is exactly what molds our heroes and heroines of yesterday, today and tomorrow. From the moment you stepped into your police uniform, Officer Cook, this was what paid dividends in polishing and in shaping your career. Your desire and dedication, devotion to help all people was second to none. You paid the most dearest price my neighbor, friend and hero and I will never stop forgetting about your loving family and career. It's a shame that society has people out in the streets looking to commit violent acts against police officers, but you stood up to this individual, toe to toe, eye to eye and face to face to stop a young man who apparently snapped. Your shining soul just keeps illuminating the face of this earth, guiding those brave men and women who continue your watch and have taken hold of your torch. Rest in peace. Your dignity will always be preserved and your persistence will continue panning around this world.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 12, 2013

Commitment is a line you must cross- it is the difference between dreaming and doing. A person can be both. You dreamed as a young man, Officer Cook, what you inspired to become. Now you set your sights and goals and followed through completely with them to work harder than most to succeed and the honest endeavor was noticeable from day one. Your supervisors and instructors knew who William C. Cook was, and the gentleman literally speaking who could handle any dilemma with a soothing and calm voice of reason in your community. I'm sure you went by Bill or Billy, but for my reasons, my neighbor, friend and hero, you'll always be known to me and my family as Officer William C. Cook, who wore badge#1664 with only humility, pride and the honor that goes to one who works their tail to the backbone to get ahead in life and achieve the greatness that will stand as your eternal reward for heroism and valor. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 12, 2013

The race is not always to the swift-but to those who keep on running. It's not a contest to see who clocks in first, but rather who delivers excellence in their job performance with honesty, integrity and shows proper moral and ethical behavior at the end of their watch that is recorded by not only their division and department, but by Our Creator Himself. Your stellar rating, Officer Cook was always and only due in part to due diligence and the courage to do the right thing above and beyond the call of duty. On May 16, 1979, you answered a domestic call knowing what was happening and responded in a very splendid fashion heroically sacrificing your treasured being to seven the lives of seven people, four of your comrades and three civilians. You got there speedily and endeavored to rationally size up the problem you were facing. You did it with grace, valor and the courage to resolve this situation before it escalated. Your community remembers you, your colleagues and friends won't forget you and your loving family has the most beautiful of memories by which to cherish you as their loving son, brother, husband, uncle and great-uncle. You and your colleagues have been honored in our Nation's' Capitol, Washington, D.C. for giving up your honor and freedom in order to preserve our liberties. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You always will by regarded by myself as among Metro-Dade Police Department's best and brightest officers. Your effort day in and day out was only top notch.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 12, 2013

If you have the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed. You surely did this, Officer Cook and in a very convincing manner. You elevated others by your extreme passion as well as compassion to others that won't be overlooked. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 11, 2013

Impossible only defines the degree of difficulty. You never wavered on your decision, Officer cook, to join the Metro-Dade Police Department. In your family's eyes, impossible never existed. It was your sheer willpower and intestinal fortitude that assisted you as you went from the police academy to the streets of Dade County where you battled evil on a daily basis. Only the honest and those with a superior dose of ingenuity can survive the rigors of police work and it was hard working officers, Officer Cook, you and the many other officers from within your division that truly made a big difference and an enormous impact. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, you helped take a large bite out of the criminal element.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 10, 2013