Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

All people love to wonder and that is the seed of our science; and such is the mechanical determination of our age and so recent are our best contrivances, that use has not dulled our joy and pride in them; and we pity our fathers for dying before steam and galvanism, sulfuric ether and ocean telegraphs, photograph and spectroscope arrived, as cheated out of half their human estate. These arts open great gates of a future, promising to make the world plastic and to lift human life out of its beggary to a Godlike ease and power. We do love to ponder and wonder what further contributions to our modern day society you would have made, Officer Cook? With your intellect and genius, your modesty, humane and caring nature, we're left to think long and hard regarding the what ifs. Your police work certainly opened lots of eyes and brought into focus the total awareness you employed each day of your watch. Devout, loyal and honest until the end, serving those citizens with the compassion and passion that needs to be called on each moment. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. I'll bet you loved science and making projects in school as a youngster that assisted us in our daily living.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 16, 2013

Like the spirit of your high school, the Norland Vikings. You took on the personification, Officer Cook, of what a Viking is. I believe you were bold. You displayed courage and readily accepted all challenges that came your way. To be a victim of senseless violence in the performance of your duties is never the way to end a person's life. All the wonderful memories of your twenty-five years are now and forever a part of your family and all those acquainted with you. One tragic moment should not be allowed to eradicate all the goodness you embodied. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your heroic life and career is and will be a living memorial in Dade County for the ages.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 16, 2013

We live in an age of revolution and explosion: exploding bombs, exploding population, revolutionary wars, revolutionary wants. In such an age, we have only two choices, no more. We shall learn to be masters of circumstance-or we shall be its victim. Sometimes I think, Officer Cook, that we are the only victims and it can be linked to the way we live our lives. and with that being said, we can choose freely how to live and to lead our lives each and every day. One has to live for the moment. Police officers can only live per say for that day of their watches. Obviously you can't think thirty years ahead what may transpire. Oh, I wish we could, believe me. I truly think you would have retired back in November of 2000. Your friend and colleague, Officer Piloto retired on November 10, 2000, turns out that was my sister, Michele's birthday. I don't know why, but our families have certain chronological events that fall on these days. When you were buried with honors my neighbor, friend and hero, on May 19, 1979, a Saturday, this was my parents twenty-second and final anniversary, may they rest in peace. On Sunday, November 30, 2003, we buried my mother, Bernice she should rest in peace. That would have been your big birthday, number fifty. Rest in peace. I will always try and dedicate my life to the richness of your loving contributions to our society.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 16, 2013

Insurrection of thought always precedes insurrection of arms. We always have to think and process what comes from our lips. You were a thought provoking kind of police officer, Officer Cook. Any officer is supposed to use some logic before utilizing the weapon they have on their person. Once a weapon is discharged, we cannot take back that bullet or round of gunfire. The Constitution gives us the right to bear arms, but that responsibility must always be taken quite seriously. Back in your day as I've reflected before, officers had to realize and consider all means of evasive action before employing the use of deadly force. Department today and back then did not need any trigger happy officers among their ranks. You performed very swiftly and boldly on May 16, 1979 and for your actions you were very much a hero and the sadness of your loss still permeates within the community who admired and respected you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 16, 2013

How will it be with kingdoms and with kings-with those who shaped him to the thing he is-when this dumb terror shall rise to judge the world, after the silence of the centuries? Even after the sad deaths of able bodied men and women who display the necessary courage most individuals would not, we must continue the battle against the evils that lurk in today's society. This was why you became a police officer, Officer Cook and an excellent one at that. It's very sad what happened to you, even as you and all officers accepted and took on all the risks associated with the profession. There aren't too many officers who were as bold as you. You looked danger and evil in your eyes everyday and still managed to conquer it. Your style of police work, the unique qualities you brought to your department will forever live in the hearts of those privileged to have worked side by side you for those six wonderfully dedicated years. You are truly deserving of honor and respect for holding down what can be described as a truly demanding position. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 16, 2013

There was a trial in Sanford, Florida, a little north of Orlando, Florida. A volunteer community security person named George Zimmerman shot and killed a seventeen-year-old teenager by the name of Trayvon Benjamin Martin. The story was worldwide because it had racial overtones. Mr. Martin was an African-American and Mr. Zimmerman was a caucasian gentleman. The verdict was announced on Saturday night. Mr. Zimmerman was charged with second degree murder, meaning he could have gone to jail for life. He was acquitted of all charges and this left the Martin Family heart-broken of course. Yet, Officer Cook, back in 1979, there too was racial unrest in your community, where you and your fellow comrades had to employ excellent public relation skills in order for there not to be any violence or similar actions where the public would be in any danger. You displayed proper conduct where essential and made your country, county and all people very proud to have known such an outstanding human being. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your humanitarianism will carry on as your legacy for eternity.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2013

For more vengeance I would do nothing. This nation is too great to look for mere revenge. But for the security of the future I would do everything. And you so fulfilled God's wishes, Officer Cook in setting the example of how to properly patrol and police an area. One of your greatest assets I believe was the way you spoke to people to get your professional point across, never shouting, just staying calm and level-headed, confronting unrest was savvy and tact, employing your best resources to cause citizens to become and act in a peaceful manner. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2013

There's small revenge in words, but words may be greatly revenged. You always thought before speaking, Officer Cook and this is why you were as accomplished as most other officers. To this day, the honest officers deliver to their departments is what sets them apart from all others. Deceit and shame were not words used by you my neighbor, friend and hero. Replace them with dignity and integrity and you have one heck of a powerful one two punch built to tackle any dilemma that comes your way. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2013

The good opinion of honest men, friends to freedom and well-wishers to mankind, where ever they may be born or happen to reside, is the only kind of reputation a wise man would ever desire. To be an honest person was the only thing we all hope is a certainty growing up. It was the motto in the Cook Family and for your very life and career this is what made your true class and character stand out from among your peers. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Good cheer and thoughtfulness was the banner that you carried with you, Officer Cook in the Central Division.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2013

If we had nothing else to boast of, we could claim with justice that first among the nations we of this country made it an article of organic law that the relations between man and his Maker were a private concern into which other men had no right to intrude. Police officials have every right to intrude when a person's safety is being endangered. Officers such as yourself, Officer Cook, set out to patrol areas where they perhaps had a higher rate of crime than normal, and of course you looked in all the quadrants on a daily basis. The relationships you fostered have and will always represent something mighty special in this community where you will always be saluted for your fine service. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2013

It is the right as well as the duty of all men in society, publicly and at stated seasons, to worship the Supreme Being, the Great Creator and Preserver of the universe. And no subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshiping God in the manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience. And it is the right for people to be protected by solid professionals like you, Officer Cook, who only brought, an uncanny vision and prospective to his department. Your honorable approach to solving crimes and helping to calm citizens I hope is being utilized all around the country in the various police academies. Thank you so very much for serving your community with all the dignity and integrity your position demands. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2013

Let God be magnified, whose everlasting strength upholds me under sufferings of more than ten years' length. All families of fallen police officers have to carry each moment the heavy burdens of losing a loved one, but they do have an extended family of officers whose broad shoulders they can lean on constantly for moral support in their darkest hour. Your loving family, my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook, knows they have your entire department and the wonderful citizens of Dade County to rest their shoulders upon. proof of that fact is when they rented your parents home, the one I was in and was looking to rent for my family, they got together and assisted in fixing up the roof. Memories sure have a way of coming back to you in droves. The composure you maintained was a real sign of your character and sure way to inform the citizens of your intentions to serve them with distinction. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2013

Bear witness, O Thou wronged and merciful One! We ask and beg forgiveness on behalf of, Officer Cook, whose brave actions stopped what would have ultimately ended in even more destruction and loss of life. May his beloved soul rest in peace, sir you were my neighbor, friend and hero to all. Never to be forgotten! Here and now let us all pay our tribute to this wonderful, courageous and God-fearing police officer. Amen.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2013

Before me, even as behind, God is and all is well. God is infinite and you, Officer Cook, will always live on in the hearts, souls and prayers of the love ones you left behind. You gave your all in determination to shutting down evil and averting a calamity. You saved the day, when perhaps someone else may have avoided a situation as trying as the one you undertook to raise the level of unity in the community where you were very much respected. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The eternal bar where you rest is only at its highest of heights.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2013

We search the world for truth; we cull the good, the pure, the beautiful, from graven stone and written scroll, from all old flower fields of the soul; and, weary seekers of the best, we come back laden from our quest, to find that all the sages said is in the Book our mothers read. We are still looking for reasons as to why you were taken from us, Officer cook, at such a young age. An upstart who had so much more intrinsic value to impart to those who cherished your wisdom and insight, we may never know the purpose of Our Creator calling you when He did, but, indeed you are now on a most fulfilling journey in heaven helping others pursue what you strongly believed in. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2013

I know not where His islands lift their fronded palms in air; I only know I cannot drift beyond His love and care. You can drift and travel now where ever God needs you the most, Officer Cook. We cannot tell God where to take you, He now and forever decides where you need to patrol up in His golden streets. There is only perfection in the next world and being one of God's golden angels my neighbor, friend and hero, we can only pray that someday soon we will be together when God decides it is time. Rest in peace. Their is a saying that God watches the simple and simply stated you were a broad minded thinker who only had visions for a brighter future and should have been allowed to see those plans through.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2013

I bow my forehead to the dust, I veil mine eyes for shame and urge, in trembling self-distrust, a prayer without a claim. I always bow my head when I visit your grave, Officer Cook. I offer a little prayer on behalf of your soul and your family, friends and colleagues who were fortunate enough to have known you and knew you always had their backs. Men and women who take risks to protect us deserve all the pats on the back and honors that come their way because of their humbleness and grace they displayed in carrying out their duties beyond what was required of them. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2013

Through this dark and stormy night, faith beholds a feeble light up the blackness streaking; knowing God's own time is best, in a patient hope I rest, for the full day-breaking! There have been unfortunately many a dark and stormy time since your tragic loss, Officer Cook, but we have been able to steer through these times because of how you accomplished this feat many a time. Your soul has taken us where we have never ever set foot and you have been watching and observing our coming and going in safety bless your heart. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2013

Each is not for its own sake, I say the whole earth and all the stars in the sky are for religion's sake. I say no man has ever yet been half devout enough, none has ever yet adored or worshiped half enough, none has begun to think how divine he himself is. I say that the real and permanent grandeur of these States must be their religion, otherwise there is no real and permanent grandeur; nor character nor life worthy the name without religion, nor land nor man or woman without religion. The world does not only revolve around spirituality, it depends upon so many different people from many diverse backgrounds. Officer Cook, your richness and diversity took us to newer heights that we may have never again reached. Your courage to stand your ground in protecting us will never be copied again. Officers like you, so bold and tirelessly passionate about their jobs, give new meaning to what a true patriot is. You were the very best that the police academy gave to us for six years and all in all, you performed splendidly. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2013

Who seeks for heaven alone to save his soul may keep the path, but will not reach the goal; while he who walks in love may wander far, yet God will bring him where the blessed are. because of your honesty and grace, Officer Cook, Our Creator has taken you to newer heights than ever before. The sun shines brighter, the moon much larger and more brighter than ever, all because of outstanding officers such as Officer William C. Cook, who always lit up the room with his smile and congeniality in his service to the public. You laid your life down so we could all continue our voyages into making sure this world functions the way a land should function. You would not want this any other way my neighbor, friend and hero. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2013

Often God has to shut a door in our face, so that He can subsequently open the door through which He wants us to go. Your honest dispensing of justice, Officer Cook, has continually since your sacrifice on our behalf allowed those doors to stay open in order for those of us who want to pursue whatever our hearts desire. Your good nature has fortified our uniqueness and given the onus to us to carry on as you would faithfully have wanted us to do if you were still with us today. There are so many wonderful people who have passed from this world and your loss left all of us bereft and yet hopeful of brighter tomorrows because of your due diligence in service to all citizens regardless of their backgrounds. Your thinking led us to believe we can succeed, if only we apply ourselves more.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2013

The only faith that wears well and holds its color in all weather is that which is woven of conviction and set with the sharp mordant of experience. Your faith that you carried with your everyday, Officer Cook, was unbreakable and allowed you in all your desires to serve the citizens of Dade County with the proper respect due to them from an officer who was so mild mannered and had that calming voice of reason when the times called for it. Always there, ready and willing to do whatever your assignment called for. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your convictions on May 16, 1979, allowed Dade County one of its last chances to witness your boldness and bravery as you defended your fellow comrades and the civilians caught in the struggle to remain safe and calm. Any officer willing to risk their all deserves more than a simple salute.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2013

We, on our side, are praying for Him to give us victory, because we believe we are right; but those on the other side pray for Him also to deliver victory, believing they are right. What must he think of us? Not everyone prays, but that is why this land affords the opportunities to be free and worship whenever and to whomever. You prayed each day, Officer Cook, you and Karen were as devout in God as you both were in your chosen careers, where serving the public with compassion and dignity go hand in hand. I know and pray that God has kept watch over your treasured soul and that of your fellow brothers and sisters whose supreme sacrifices were taken with a solemn oath to serve, protect and defend. God never forgets His faithful servants of which you were one of them and we pray that soon violence will be gone and only blessings of health, hope and prosperity will rain over this land. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. In the last reflection, I left out offering communion as well if these clerics are found guilty of any indignity or any other illegalities.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2013

I have ever judged of the religion of others by their lives....It is in our lives and not from our words, that our religion must be read. By the same test the world must judge me. But this does not satisfy the priesthood. They must have a positive, a declared assent to all their interested absurdities. My opinion is that there had never been a priest. The artificial structures they have built on the priest of all moral systems, for the purpose of deriving from it pence and power, revolt those who think for themselves and who read in that system only what is really there. I have not judged many clergy, but if I did based on their exploits of what I have read in newspapers or seen on the Internet, I would be appalled they are still practicing, offering mass or the confessional. I believe the Vatican, the new Pope, Pope Francis has been looking into clerical misconduct and trying to rid the church of these clerics whose actions have not only affected the world at large as we know it, but the lives of young children and adults. Rabbis, also Officer Cook, have strayed and have also been involved in exploits and the way I used the word exploits above denotes a very negative connotation. How very tragic! I believe if caught any rabbi, priest or man or woman of the cloth needs to be punished to the maximum. Police officers who display this code of conduct would surely be taken to task by their departments, told to turn in their badge and weapon. They would probably be suspended and if enough evidence was discovered on them, they would be arrested, put in jail and then go on trial and very well spend the rest of their lives in jail. People that have positions where young children and the lives of everyone are at risk, if they are caught doing anything not within the confines of the law and do not set the example of fine morals and character should be punished, no excuses added. Your stellar character, my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook, was always and only above reproach and you showed all police officers and citizens the truly proper, honest and decent method in which to carry out your professional responsibilities. You would be ashamed of the behavior of these men of the cloth who have brought shame and humiliation to themselves, their families, their places of worship and that is why we know you are truly looking up and down on all of us from heaven along with your comrades who solemnly made the same sacrifice in this world to better our modern society as we know it. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2013

An honest God is the noblest work of man. I think it should read better like this: An honest man is the noblest work of God. Your fine work as an officer, Officer Cook, is what sets the table so to speak for others officers to operate by. The high standards of morality and ethics which were set by you, Officer Cook, is what all officers need to live by if they are going to achieve and be safe while on patrol. You set the bar high, but you would not have it any other way. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, you always gave more than an honest day's effort and because of this, your loving soul is receiving all the eternal benefits that befit a genuine hero, a kind and gentle man that you always were.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2013