Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Youth condemns; maturity condones. This be our solace: that it was not said when we were young and warm and in our prime, upon our couch we lay as lie the non-living, sleeping away the unreturning time. I wish, we all wish we could get back the time that has gone, we can't, but we can still vividly remember what you meant to this this great land, Officer Cook. Young and bold, unfazed by fear which grips our very souls and unafraid to conquer where no person would travel to, your common sense approach to life and to its mysteries will forever remain a treasured legacy. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You served us in confidence and for serving with honor and integrity, you deserve to rest in eternal comfort surrounded by your father and a multitude of multi-talented men and women who too were unafraid and unfazed to tackle life's challenges to make living safer and more sound.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 7, 2013

Oh, thou child of many prayers! Life has quicksands-life has snares! Care and age come unawares! No one knows when their time is near. We live our lives go through tunnels, climb the highest mountains, look up at the bright and shining stars at night and know that now because of your career, Officer Cook, you are among those constellations. You were born in November, not sure what your sign is, but we will remember your commendable life and your colleagues will remember your dependability in times of trouble. They {the county or city} should declare each day as a day of honor for each officer or officers who sacrificed their life or lives on that day. We can't have a problem with every May 16, being referred to as "Officer William C. Cook Day." There is an officer, you might have known who worked for your department and has two street signs in his honor, a little unusual but fitting never the less. His name was Officer Ephriam Brown, the first officer in the city of Opa Locka killed in the line of duty. He is buried near you in the Saint Patrick's One Section at Dade Memorial Park. His birthday was November 30, 1957, four years after you were born. Coincidence, don't know, but just as brave and courageous as yourself. His stone does not have a badge, no one other than his family or someone like myself would know he was a police officer. Someone should at least put an emblem on that stone and give this young man some honor and dignity for what he too accomplished. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 7, 2013

The number one thing young people in America-indeed, young people around the world-have going for them is their sense of honesty, morality and ethics. Young people refuse to accept the lies and rationalizations of the established order. You gave your life on behalf of these morals, Officer Cook and we the citizens of Dade County owe you a giant debt of gratitude for having taken on what most men and women would dare to touch, much less tackle. A young man willing to forgo his life and stand face to face bravely saving seven persons does not just happen commonly everyday. You were the prime example of what true character and exemplary leadership is all about. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Youth comes but once in a lifetime and it most assuredly was served when you became a Metro-Dade Police Officer who gave more than an honest day's effort to keep Dade citizens safe an din check.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 7, 2013

Respect the child. Be not too much his parent. Trespass not on his solitude. Growing up as I mentioned previously, Officer Cook, I'm sure you and your wonderful sister, Nancy, had rules to follow. You went to friends homes, had sleepover nights and parties, but you were expected to adhere to guidelines that were set forth by your loving parents. Now I can see why you became so successful, so honorable and where you garnered your compassion and empathy for others. Your beloved mother, Mrs. Julia Cook and your beloved father, Mr. Charles Cook, may you both rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, saw to this that you turned out well. Your mother should live and be well. I should have looked upyour mother in North Miami Beach and made sure to stop by her home on a daily basis while I was residing in Hallandale Beach and check on her well being. This was after I read you lived in this area in the book, "Forgotten Heroes." You did this and were justly rewarded. It says in our Old Testament, the Torah, that a person who honors their mother and father receives the blessings of a long life. God placed you on His earth for twenty-five years and you succeeded mightily in all of his challenges and you made this world a much better and a more prosperous place because of your imbued values and grace. I'll always think the world of your life and heroics, you made others better because of your acute awareness for their plight and if you saw a way to uplift someone you responded without a call being necessary. Rest in peace. This is the greatest heavenly reward one can earn.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 7, 2013

And youth is cruel and has no remorse and smiles at situations which it cannot see. I smile, of course and go on drinking tea. For how you lived your distinguished life and carried on with a most spectacular career, Officer Cook, you deserve whatever accolades that come your way. You grew up where I still reside in North Miami Beach, Florida and had many friends who were loyal to you and you to them. Your demeanor as a person, not to mention as a police officer was no different in the fact that you had compassion toward each and everyone of them. Living by morals and a set of of rules laid down by your parents made you a much better individual as well as the officer we have all come to know and love, along with the respect that is afforded to someone in your profession. So we can go ahead and hoist a glass of iced tea and salute your bravery and courage for all time sake. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 7, 2013

Fortunately for us and our world, youth is not easily discouraged. Youth with its clear vista and boundless faith and optimism is uninhibited by the thousands of considerations that always bedevil man in his progress. The hopes of the world rest on the flexibility, vigor, capacity for new thought, the fresh outlook of the young. Your future was very bright and promising, Officer Cook. One thing that went horribly wrong took a very loyal and fiercely respected gentleman from this community. A bold innovator with an eye for instilling knowledge and boldness to other officers, you were a fountain, a spring of youth whose maturity matched your reliability within the ranks. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 6, 2013

O Youth: Do you know that yours is not the first generation to yearn for a life full of beauty and freedom? Do you know that all your ancestors felt as you do-and fell victim to trouble and hatred? Do you know, also, that your fervent wishes can only find fulfillment if you succeed in attaining love and understanding of men and animals, plants and stars, so that every joy becomes your joy and every pain your pain? Open your eyes, your heart, your hands and avoid the poison your forebears so greedily sucked in from History. Then will all the earth be your fatherland and all your work and effort spread forth blessings. You were so full of youth, Officer Cook, formulating and evolutionizing your life and career that you were so devoted to perform at the highest level. The tragedy that befell your department on May 16, 1979, forever reinforces the need for all police officers to maintain dignity and integrity in any and all conditions regardless of the situations that arise. To capsulize your life, it was constructed on the foundations of being raised in the right climate where honor and respect stood at the highest peak. And now as you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, you stand solidly planted as one of those true blue golden angels who wings will take them wherever God wants you to travel to.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 6, 2013

Having chosen our course, without guile and with pure purpose, let us renew our trust in God and go forward without fear and with manly hearts. Officer Cook, you were that man so fearless, yet so humble to accept the will of God's calling. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 6, 2013

It is not book learning young men need, nor instruction about this or that, but a stiffening of the vertebrae which will cause them to be loyal to a trust to act promptly, concentrate their energies, passions, to do a thing-"carry a message to all others." not to fail, but to endeavor to achieve a purpose. God does not expect perfection, only that we make the effort as you did, Officer Cook. You are and forever will be our officer in shining armor. You only acted with swiftness, were as brave and bold as a lion. We don't need books to tell about who our true heroes and heroines were. You're not ever forgotten my neighbor, friend and hero. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 6, 2013

Toiling-rejoicing-sorrowing, onward through life he goes; each morning sees some task begin, each evening sees it close; something attempted, something done, he has earned a night's repose. Totally real, righteous and sensational. We all need to exemplify your purpose among us, Officer Cook. And now that you performed more than capably you can rest more easily up in God's enchanted heaven. You believed in living life, the name Bill as a nickname for William. God knows that he has definitely one golden angel among twenty-thousand other saintly men and women of great conviction who were fearless in their pursuits of truth and justice. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. God's gates are forever in the best of hands for safekeeping. Never to be disturbed or tampered with!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 6, 2013

Let us, then, be up and doing, with a heart for any fate; still achieving, still pursuing, learn to labor and to wait. At the crack of dawn you awoke that day, Officer Cook, ate breakfast with Karen, shared a cup of coffee or tea, a quiet and poignant moment. Then you embraced her and said goodbye and she told you the same. Take care, have a good day and we'll see you later. Off you went to do a job you not only wanted to do, you really enjoyed working as an officer and did a very commendable and excellent job providing top notch service to Dade County citizens each day. That day of May 16, 1979, still keeps coming back into my mind. My son, Joshua, who was born on May 14, 1997 and now is in the 11th grade is learning to drive and wants to go on the highway. I told him you can drive and we will visit daddy's friend and neighbor and hero, Officer Cook's grave and say a special prayer for you. We have not many people who have saved seven lives in one day, including those of your four comrades, who would certainly have passed if not for your intervention on their behalf. Rest in peace. Hope your family is doing well and I will always say a prayer for your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook. I want to invite the Wilkerson's to my home and break bread with them as they are and have been since I've known them. Very very special people and their kids you would adored.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 6, 2013

The strongest bond of human sympathy, outside of the family relation, should be uniting all working people, of all nations, tongues and kindreds. This was your selling point, Officer Cook, to be able to mesh all diversities into one. To blend yourself and your calming manner into a community who dearly loved, respected and cherished your labor each moment. Just like a rainbow, all must attempt to embody that which Our Creator placed us in this world for. To try and get along, that does not mean to fall head over heels over each other. Each week, I speak at various Independent and Assisted Living residences stressing the purpose of trying to co-exist with one another, young and even some who are quite a bit younger than most. Our holiday season will soon be upon us and we try to make amends for any wrongdoing between each other. We all have to live in this world permeating as much goodwill, peace and unity as possible. You lived your life so passionately by these scruples than why can't we? Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. We have to raise those who have fallen a bit and pick them up and make them feel reassured about themselves.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 6, 2013

Blessed is that man who has found his work. Any man who has a job has a chance. Give us this day our daily work. A person of your humble stature, Officer Cook, appreciated all the opportunities to serve the public in any way, shape or form. Going to the police academy to become a police officer obviously requires patience, diligence and hard work, both physical and mental in order to succeed. Not all are cut out for a profession that can be most rewarding and yet quite demanding. The sacrifices that one has to make on behalf of their families starts before they are interviewed initially and then when they start the coursework and the essentials of what it takes to be an excellent police officer on a daily basis. But, you certainly enjoyed your job and chose this endeavor because this is where your niche in society was planted. Those who knew you as "Bill," or "Billy," you'll always be known as Officer William C. Cook to me, you represented yourself well and only acquitted yourself with the proper decorum that a police officer most certainly needs to comport themselves by. Your work ethic was second to none and you will forever be remembered in Dade County law enforcement circles as one of its top officers for all time. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 6, 2013

Where women are, the better things are implied if not spoken. Between yourself and Karen, Officer Cook, the lines of communication were always open as the two of you shared many different ideas on how you both could succeed in your chosen professions. A person is better known for the company they keep and for your three and a half years of marriage. you each could not have asked for a better partner to each share in life's wondrous adventures. Your absence never leaves us and the times spent with you will only be treasured. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 5, 2013

Oh, savings of dream and guess! Oh, wisdom which is foolishness! Why idly seek from outward things the answer inward silence brings? Why stretch beyond our proper sphere and age, for that which lies so near? Nothing foolish about wanting to pursue a law enforcement career. You followed your heart, Officer Cook, where your dreams could mesh into reality. The aspirations you acquired to make this happen became your crowning achievement. And you crowned your community with a renewed sense of brotherhood and unity brought about through your peaceful demeanor and terrific sense of calmness. That certainly is very much missed today. Watch us Officer Cook and calm us if we get a little overexcited. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 5, 2013

Here is the test of wisdom, wisdom is not finally tested in schools, wisdom cannot be passed from one having it to another not having it, wisdom is of the soul, is not susceptible of proof, is its own proof, applies to all stages and objects and qualities and is content, is the certainty of the reality and immorality of things and the excellence of things. The reality of the matter is that you were a truly wise and certainly more mature police officer than some of your peers. The legacy that you took to the next world, Officer Cook, is that no matter the circumstance, you have to perform at a high level in order to get from one point to another. You did and those six years of service in loyalty to your department will stand out as a significant symbol of your passion and grace you brought out in all persons. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Good morals are needed before you can even get to point A and go from there.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 5, 2013

Knowledge alone is not enough. It must be leavened with magnanimity before it becomes wisdom. You need all the excellent resources you can garner and to master before one can be astute in a way they can be confident in their abilities to go out into the field and begin their careers assured of a level of reason followed by success. Officer Cook, your instructors at the police academy had to marvel at how you were able to disseminate information and to process this in your mind in order for you to achieve this level of accomplishment. But, it came at a price and sacrifice you had to make along with your beloved wife, Karen in order to seal your good lives together. You both truly lived a healthy and blessed live and the sacrifice you made on duty will never be out of sight or out of anyone's thoughts. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 5, 2013

Common sense is compelled to make its way without the enthusiasm of anyone; all admit it grudgingly. Thomas Paine, the author of, "Common Sense" sure knew what he was writing. Problem is some officers today do not exhibit this quality that can surely lead them to trouble. In your time, Officer Cook, most of your peers followed the straight and narrow path and were able to reach a pinnacle of success. Any department, any division, any area of patrol has its good points and areas that need a little bit more policing. The citizens you served, Officer Cook, were indeed very fortunate to have a wonderful and self-assuring officer in their midst. You were their pride and joy and they appreciated your sincere effort for the most part. You would have made a great crime scene technician and still be able to communicate wisdom where it would be lacking the most. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 5, 2013

It is the province of knowledge to speak and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen. And those officers who were truly blessed to have known you, Officer Cook and to have been able to stand side by side you in fighting the good fight over wickedness, these are the people who were and still are blessed by the wonderful memories they can share with one another of your days in law enforcement. A mature human being, a wise thinker, and even excellent listener who could command a gathering of his fellow comrades. I'm sure you craziness from time to time and healthy sense of humor made the morale within your ranks a bit lighter. Those surely were the good old days. And these good old days certainly miss your banter and wisdom my neighbor, friend and hero. Rest in peace. You are now probably sharing a good laugh and a story with those who displayed a unique compassion that you so faithfully instilled in them.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 5, 2013

Much of the wisdom of the world is not wisdom and the most illuminating class of men are no doubt superior to literary fame and are not writers. Most of the smartness that you imparted upon your fellow colleagues, Officer Cook, came from the experiences that you acquired in the fields of your policing. The approach you took to your profession was to look, listen, observe and be cautious whenever pursuing a problem that you might not be sure how to resolve. Police officers always have to learn new insights as part of their official positions and sometimes it may take them a little longer to process the information that is given to them. Preserving, processing, pondering and finally solving an issue was one of the qualities that made you a top officer within your division and within your department. Wise, intuitive, smart, discerning, observant and having the mettle to achieve, these were, Officer Cook, many of the highlights of a well lived life and marvelous career. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 5, 2013

God pity the man or nation wise in proverbs...for there is much error gone into the collecting of such a store. You can be wise or smart in a lot of ways and yet display such foolishness that can be embarrassing and leave an indelible mark. Officer Cook, you stood out and displayed the servitude and righteousness that were some of the necessary tools that you utilized in fighting the forces of evil. Sometimes we give our all and still it's not enough in this constant war we wage each day. You were the wise gentleman, literally and figuratively, who went about your position in a most welcomed and compassionate fashion. Your young life that was lost on May 16, 1979, as was the lives of all your fellow men and women comrades who sacrificed for us will for always stand as a lasting tribute to your perseverance. This will not get lost over time nor where sense is wanting, everything is wanting. God rest your soul my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 5, 2013

We looked upon a world unknown, on nothing we could call our own, around the glistening wonder bent, the blue walls of the firmament, no cloud above, no earth below,-a universe of sky and snow! The world of the unknown, quite a phenomenon! Officers that dare to risk everything just so the public can be safe and secure, what a feeling! knowing you risked everything for us, Officer Cook and you enjoyed the rigors of your profession. Mr. and Mrs. Cook, you should be very proud of your son, Officer William Coleman Cook: Badge#1664, your pride and joy who enhanced our very beings with the light of his very being and now his shining soul can forever illuminate the darkest of days, dispel the gloom and wipe away the evil that he sought to conquer. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. As I leave this reflection on your behalf, the tears are starting to trickle down my face. Your life and career has left a pronounced sadness upon me, but we do know there will come brighter days ahead.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 5, 2013

When the short day is brightest, with frost and fire, the brief sun flames the ice, on pond and ditches, in windless cold that is the heart's beat, reflecting in a watery mirror a glare that is blindness in the early afternoon. It was precisely in the early afternoon of May 16, 1979, that you gave you life for us standing proudly, Officer Cook. Oh, when we reflect on you, Officer Cook, hardly a day goes by when we don't get emotional and this is very understandable. Commendable and dependable were axioms for which you were noted for my neighbor, friend and hero. Because of who you were, becomes how you feel and this feeling lasts forever. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 5, 2013

When the short day is brightest, with frost and fire, the brief sun flames the ice, on pond and ditches, in windless cold that is the heart's beat, reflecting in a watery mirror a glare that is blindness in the early afternoon. It was precisely in the early afternoon of May 16, 1979, that you gave you life for us standing proudly, Officer Cook. Oh, when we reflect on you, Officer Cook, hardly a day goes by when we don't get emotional and this is very understandable. Commendable and dependable were axioms for which you were noted for my neighbor, friend and hero. Because of who you were, becomes how you feel and this feeling lasts forever. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 5, 2013

How beautiful is the rain! After the dust and heat, in the broad and fiery street, in the narrow lane, how beautiful is the rain! Rain or shine, officers must be willing and able to perform their assigned roles without a complaint. That hot day on May 16, 1979, you were able to do exactly that, Officer Cook, no reservations no high-tailing it away from that scene. You exhibited all the traits of a duly trained officer and did exactly as your job entailed. You made a statement, giving your life on that hot pavement. That cemented your outstanding legacy among your colleagues, friends and most of all your wonderfully loving and devoted family. I am glad I was able to get what was removed from your grave replaced. Your honor and dignity should always stand tall. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 4, 2013