Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Not to the swift, the race; not to the strong, the fight: Not to the righteous, perfect grace: Not to the wise, the light. It was not a race, Officer Cook, but your swiftness on May 16, 1979, saved seven persons. Your strong and unbending spirit will always carry with it the persona of perfect calm, to a scene gone wild and now as your years suggested, you were the wiser of them all and can now witness the light because you endured in the fight to try and stop a mad man who could not see right. He left this world thinking violence was his right and because of this my neighbor, friend and hero, tragically you can never again see nor say to anyone goodnight. Rest in peace. People here in North Miami Beach, Florida are still firing off fireworks both day and night. But better yet, Officer Cook, keep lighting up this universe with your kind hearted soul, it is the only true light to our visions of tomorrow. Because of you, Independence Day occurs daily in our community. Your boldness helped make way for our freedoms to become reality.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 21, 2013

Not in the clamor of the crowded street, not in the shouts and plaudits of the throng, but in ourselves, are triumph and defeat. Be nice to people on your way up because you'll meet them on your way down. There is only one success-to be able to spend your life in your own way. You spent your life and career with acts of kindness engulfing your personality. Officers have a unique way of drawing the people near them and especially if they attempt to perform in an earnest and honorable fashion. I'm sure while your soul was travelling up to heaven, Officer Cook, you met many wonderful men and women who devoted and dedicated their existences to saving lives and bringing peace as you did to their neighborhoods. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, your grace in times of trouble was simply put, truly and amazing feat.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 21, 2013

Success consists in the climb. Self esteem= Success and pretensions. You climbed the ladder of success, Officer Cook, fortune and fame never jumped or impeded your progress as an officer. For some self-esteem comes through hard working and paying attention to the little details, for others they just do feel they have a worth. Everyone has a value and cam make a difference in this world, no matter how long they reside in this world. Twenty-five years of value and contributions that mere mortal individuals cannot achieve, you my neighbor, friend and hero were truly blessed to accomplish and would now be doing so with your beloved wife, Karen and your family, if Our Creator had not come calling for your soul to reunite you with your beloved father, Charles, may he rest in peace. Two gentlemen with solid convictions who made a difference in the success of us all.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 21, 2013

Success is counted sweetest by those who never succeed. The reward of a thing well done is to have done it. Often a certain abdication of prudence and foresight is an element of success. You had uplifted your department and its morale, Officer Cook, by succeeding mightily in your battles waged against wickedness. I don't think you were afraid to stare anything evil in your eye. Your laugh, your sense of humor were tools that from time to time came into usage as you were out on patrol. You have to maintain an optimistic and upbeat side of your position. You achieved and did it in spite of everybody and not often with the assistance of everybody. At least you worked with two excellent officers, Reserve Officer Scott Lincoln, the day in which you made the ultimate sacrifice. The other officer. Officer Keith DeGenova, a close friend and tennis player like yourself. I don't know for sure, but, perhaps you partnered at times with officer Robert Edgerton or Detective Donald Blocker, who killed the man who took your life. The officers in your division knew you were one terrifically sensational officer who never gave less than one-hundred percent at all times. Steady and sure of your abilities, more often than not you were their go to guy. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 21, 2013

Have little care life is brief and less that art is long. Success is in the silences though fame is in the song. Amazing Grace which is the funeral dirge played at all Inspector's Funerals is what sets the solemn and somber mood and yet we remember all the goodness and richness of the lives and careers of officers such as yourself, Officer Cook, who made success in a truly honest way a large part of your daily routine. The dignity which was the reason you lived well and were able to achieve where others may have failed. Life can be brief, but of course it's how you live and compose yourself and the values you brought with you to your department and division during your career with them. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The sounds of silence your passing has brought conjure up only the best of the wonderful memories of your stellar life and most meaningful career.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 21, 2013

Success is full of promise till men get it; and then it is a last year's nest from which the birds have flown. You had all the pride, all the dignity and honor and to have it snuffed out in an inhuman manner was just not right. Officer Cook, you taught us all the important lessons in life that you have to maintain a dignity about yourself. Not be to boastful, yet have a measure of confidence in knowing you could accomplish the tasks at hand. Your life and career had begun and still there was plenty left for you to achieve. Your heroic act on May 16, 1979, serves to instill in us the success a person can obtain if they are willing to sacrifice to achieve their goals in the sense that you were willing to put in the long hours of tireless dedication during your training at the police academy at Miami-Dade Community College, one of my alma maters. Success means that you have at very least achieved some of your goals, aspirations and dreams. You'll never be forgotten and may you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Thank you so very much for giving your being in the line of duty so that we may continue carrying the torches of freedom and liberty that were central in your service and protection for six years with Metro-Dade Police Department.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 21, 2013

The opportunist thinks of me and today. The statesman thinks of us and tomorrow. The police officer thinks of us all the time, it's a never ending battles of various emotions. You took full advantages of the opportunities you had, Officer Cook, to avail in joining the police academy where you were fully trained and given the skills, the will and the mind set to go out into society to serve and to protect our best interests. Quite a big spark is very much necessary in these endeavors if you are going to accomplish those dreams and goals that you set forth to achieve. Even being placed in precarious positions, you overcame them and stood out in front of other officers and were able to maintain a calming sense of peace, unity and a purposeful reason. Law and order carried out with a sense of urgency and a mild-mannered approach as opposed to a harsh and hot-tempered engagement does not always work efficiently. But you were the very best at calming people down, letting their emotions simmer awhile, as you were thoughtfully conjuring up solutions to their problems. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. What we need to do is continue making positive strides in bettering this world. When you get to the next life, the first thing God asks of us is the question, did we perform good deeds and watch how we used our tongues toward one another?

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 21, 2013

The air made love to all it touched as if its care were all to spare; the earth prickled with lust of birth; the woodland streams babbled the incoherence of the thousand dreams wherewith the warm sun teems. The air we inhale is so vital to our lungs, our beating hearts, to our whole existence. You gave your life, Officer Cook, and every measure of your physical abilities right down to the last breath you took. It's very sad that a heinous act took you from this world in which you absolutely could have continued making a deeper impact. You touched so very many souls during your time, you lived a life full of humility, faith personified and the grace that you and your loving sister, Nancy were nurtured by your giving parents. The essence of the soul is a powerful spark of Divine Creative intention. My neighbor, friend and hero, you were the spark of which not many can say they contained. You were a joyful person who could conjure up a funny and yet a very revealing side of you not readily seen by others. Rest in peace and keep smiling down on all of us and provide us with that burning fire of motivation and that ever present glow of youthful emotion.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 21, 2013

Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them-a desire, a dream, a vision. They have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill. Heroes and heroines are not made in gyms or on golf courses or on tennis courts either. They are created from conception by their loving parents. The skill and will they possess is ingrained in them as youngsters and it becomes a valuable facet of their lives as they mature and grow up to become self-serving members of our society in whatever chosen fields or professions of endeavor they follow through with. Your life and career, Officer Cook, was highlighted by many positive moments and your loyalty was rewarded by your division and your department. All of your fellow comrades came to know and respect you, Officer Cook, and how you perceived your opportunities to serve your community with dignity, honor and integrity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 21, 2013

Being musically inclined my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook, I thought your loved ones and colleagues would want to read this. Drum on your drums, batter on your banjos, sob on the long cool winding saxophones. Go to it, O jazz men. You enjoyed beating on your drums in the hallways while in high school at Norland High, Officer Cook, and I believe Chief Jacobs also. That was one time you could say you liked beating on your own horn. When you became a Metro-Dade Police Officer, you enjoyed your profession so much, this is probably why you were always a happy and cheerful person to be around. Rest in peace. There are other members of God's Elite Drum Squad who are beating those drums ever so feverishly up above and this is serving as our wake up call to action.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 21, 2013

Words can destroy. What we call each other ultimately becomes what we think of each other and it matters. Persons in responsible positions, all persons come to think of it need to watch and observe how their words affect one another. You did this, Officer Cook, from the young age when you began to put words together in a sentence. It does not require a college degree to think and to articulate thoughts coming from one's lips. A Rabbi once wrote in a book, if you have to say the phrase, "whatamacallit," we know there is no such phrase in the English language, then you have not truly thought of what you want to say properly. A sentence as we all learned in school consists of a noun, verb and an object which links the noun and the verb, whether the verb is a contractual or action word. Words can cause violent acts to happen and this is why we must be on guard as to how we utilize our language. After all, God gives you so many words to speak in a lifetime. I know if you were here today you would have made an excellent motivational speaker as you were quite a bright gentleman in and around your community. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 21, 2013

In a previous reflection, I meant to say, Officer Cook, that your great-nieces and your great-nephew and their parents do miss you very much. Articulate words are a harsh clamor and dissonance. When man arrives at his highest perfection, he will again be dumb. For I suppose he was dumb at the Creation and must go around an entire circle in order to return to that blessed state. As a dedicated and thoughtful police officer, Officer Cook, you knew how to address people in certain situations and be able to resolve a seemingly difficult problem. Your calmness of your voice and confidant manner went hand in hand during your distinguished career. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. God's voice that soothes your resting soul and that of your other comrades who have joined you on the "Avenue of the fallen," is the only passionate voice of reason that resounds in us for always. It's kind of like listening to the sound inside a seashell when you can hear the waves crashing off each other.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 21, 2013

To commit an indiscretion without temptation, from an impulse without purpose, this is one definition of talking. How you calmly and rationally spoke to people, Officer Cook, is one of the many ways by which you'll be highly thought of. Your legacy encompasses many trains of thought and it is this thinking, this thought provoking process that will last for ages among the members of your department whenever they are asked to remember the qualities which made Officer William C. Cook, Badge#1664, stand out in front of his comrades. You were truly a pleasurable person, a sound and progressive thinking officer to be around and to patrol the streets of Dade County with. The friendships you made and kept are probably and humbly too many to number. All in all friendship in any line of work is important and its being able to maintain these relationships through the years that is most significant. rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. There is a saying which you may have remembered, Officer Cook ,"Loose lips sink ships." A police officer's life, not to mention their careers can be determined by how they utilize their lips that God gave to us.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 20, 2013

Because of what you have done the heavens have become a part of man's world and as you talk to us from the Sea of Tranquility, it inspires us to redouble our efforts to bring peace and tranquility to earth. For what you meant to society, your family and comrades, Officer Cook, we could not ask for anything else except for your presence to still be with us. Your soul has and always will be a vital part of those persons you loved, cared for and who gave back the same kindnesses to you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 20, 2013

A police officer's mind, heart, hands, lips and feet are the necessary parts that need to be functioning if they are going to have accomplished their tasks. 1. Heart- Humor, engage, articulate, resourceful and terrific. 2. Hands- Honorable, astute, nuances, normalcy, decisive and sacrifice. 3. Lips- Likable, intelligent, professional, serious. 4. Feet- Foundation, energy, effort, transmission. All of these necessities, Officer Cook, were a part of your personal as well as your professional life. You never left your home without them. This is what carried your storied life and career and made you surely confident in your capabilities to maintain the law and order. You vim, vigor and vitality is sorely missed and would be most appreciated within the ranks of your department today. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 20, 2013

Hard work is a legacy of the generations who settled the prairie, broke the soil, built the sod houses, fought the droughts and grasshoppers and penny-a-pound prices for their products. It is a legacy that even those of us who carry with us. All of this work has produced what may be the single largest collection of powerful hands in the world. And all of your difficult work authored by your powerful human nature and maturity beyond the average person, Officer Cook, was so vital in bringing us to the realization that there were officers back during your time that actually cared enough about the citizens they served within the community. You took the time and you made a distinct difference in how real police work was and is supposed to be carried out. Under God the people rule with the greatest assistance coming from the many dedicated men and women from the Metro-Dade Police department. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 20, 2013

A feeling of sadness comes over me that my soul cannot resist: A feeling of sadness and longing, that is not akin to pain and resembles sorrow only as the mist resembles the rain. Not indolence, nor pleasure, nor the fret of restless passions that could not be stilled, but sorrow and a care that almost killed, kept me from what I may accomplish yet. A senseless act of violence perpetrated against you, Officer Cook, has kept you from growing older, loving your family members, meeting with retired colleagues for meals at their homes or your home with Karen and so much more that you could have offered this world. These reflections cannot bring you or the other twenty-thousand officers back among us and to your devoted families, only God has you wrapped in His golden arms where you help Him now patrol His golden streets where you walk a heavenly beat after all of you made the solemn sacrifice on our behalf to make the world a safer and more promising venue to achieve whatever we endeavor to be. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. These words are meant as a source of comfort in consoling these wonderfully giving families who gave their loved to their communities to serve and protect our rights and freedoms. In a world based in large part to sharing, this part of giving is not only what will be remembered for, it's how your loved ones comported themselves while they lived their masterful existences. I hope you are taking some wonderful snapshots from God's highest heights.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 20, 2013

Oh, fear not in a world like this and thou shalt know erelong, know how sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong. You have a very loving family, Officer Cook, a strong willed group of individuals who have endured the pain of your loss and yet endeavor to carry on with the examples you set as a young man. Take the example of your nephew, Justin, who was paralyzed in a car accident. He has not let his disability conquer him or to derail his dreams and aspirations. I believe he has earned his Masters degree in International Relations. A fine young man like his brother, Joshua, who acts and does other work. Their sister Gina, is a fine young woman, who together with her husband, Trevor is raising a terrific family with their three children. I believe she told me she is a secretary. Alexis, your great-niece is going to be a senior in high school and I'm sure will make a success of herself in the future, along with Skyler and your young great-nephew, Legend. As your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, eluded in her letter to me nearly three years ago, they are all very fine people, who you would be most proud and they are miss you so dearly. I'm humbled to consider the Cook and Wilkerson families as my very special friends. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. your mother will forever hold a special place in my heart and hopefully if she is alright, I still would cherish the opportunity to meet her. God bless you Mrs. Cook.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 20, 2013

Parting is all we know of heaven and all we need of torment. The sorrow for the dead is the only sorrow from which we refuse to be divorced. Every other wound we seek to heal, every other affliction to forget; but this wound we consider it a duty to keep open, this affliction we cherish and brood over in solitude. No one ever wants to part with a loved one, or from a loving member of their family. Not being able to say a final goodbye, although, you were able to I'm sure, Officer Cook say goodbye and embeace your beloved wife, Karen, when you left for work on that early morning of May 16, 1979. Your tragedy still leaves those who knew and loved you with a gaping hole in their hearts. I'm just a civilian, an average law abiding citizen and look how I feel broken up about your loss. I conduct funerals for people in which I try to maintain a stoic demeanor and at times it can be really difficult. I do think about my loving parents and the wonderful memories I had of them and all those relatives I had who passed through the years. I led my own mother's service and of course, it was very emotional and I conducted my uncle's service and believe it or not I was very emotional. I had known my uncle for almost fifty years. You could only imagine that day when I went into your parents home, where I met your niece, Gina and her husband, Trevor and their children. Sure I broke down and sobbed like a baby, she comforted me and took me into your bedroom where you grew up. A lady named Amy and her dog were going to rent the house, I guess after reading about your life and career in the book, "Forgotten Heroes," I gained a deep sense of appreciation for you and your career, the cherished and giving life you so exemplified in manner and in performing good deeds. Being an excellently talented police officer who was bold and brave in your loyal service to the citizens of Dade County will always be your legacy and how you will forever be remembered. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Of course, for sentimental reasons, my family and I would have wanted to live in your parents home.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 20, 2013

If all words of tongue and pen, the saddest are, "It might have been," more sad are these we daily see, it is, but it hadn't ought to be. You wrote citations to citizens for violations, Officer Cook and you spoke very respectfully to the same citizens you served and protected. It should not have resulted in your untimely death, but the ultimate sacrifice you made on our behalf, reinforces the fact that officers even as highly trained as they are, still need to use caution and realize their surroundings at all times. We can use the words in the dictionary, could, should or would hoping you were here with us today. But, you still very much missed, loved and adored by all those so very close to you, my neighbor, friend and hero. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 19, 2013

Tragedy is in the eye of the observer and not in the heart of the sufferer. The young man who took your young life, Officer Cook, if he would have realized his actions and the ramifications, would possibly have thought twice before using his weapon. your contributions to this society will never go undone, nor will you be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 19, 2013

I shot an arrow into the air, it fell to earth, I knew not where; for, so swiftly it flew, the sight could not follow it in its flight. I breathed a song into the air, it fell to earth, I know not where; for who has sight so keen and strong, that it can follow the flight of song? It sounds like a great melody, but each day you went on patrol, Officer Cook, you dared to explore what continues to occur in those streets of Dade County where one is exposed to the harshest of conditions. Your mind was always sharp, your intellect so keen, your head, heart and hands needed to function jointly for you to maintain an optimum level of calm. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero .

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 18, 2013

'T' is the fine souls who serve us and not what is called fine society. Fine society is only a self-protection against the vulgarities of the street and the tavern. Fine society, in the common acceptation, has neither ideas nor aims....It is an unprincipled decorum; an affair of clean linen and coaches, of gloves, cards and elegance in trifles. There are other measures of self-respect for a man than the number of clean shirts he puts on everyday. The letter T here to me personally signifies, terrific. You were a very well-rounded and one terrific human being, Officer Cook. You behaved as officers should conduct their affairs. You watched how you spoke to people, the kind of language you used. I'll bet that Karen, your beloved wife washed and laundered many of your shirts. You only wore your uniform with joy, pride, honor and with a great sense of distinction. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. There are no more worries other than for you to watch over us wearing the finest laundered uniform that now adorns your humble being. There are three things to watch in a person and your mate, how your spouse knew they found the right person to wed. 1. How a person holds their liquor. 2. How they spend their hard earned paycheck. 3. Most importantly, how they control their anger. No matter a person's religion, all of this is taken into account when a couple comes together under the wedding canopy. if all three of these factors balances out, I would undoubtedly say you have found the proper person to spend your lifetime with.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 18, 2013

Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of each of its members. Society is a joint stock company, in which the members agree, for the better security of his bread to each shareholder, to surrender the liberty and culture of the eater. The virtue in most request is conformity. Self-reliance is its aversion. It loves not realities and creators, but names and customs. All police departments are somewhat like large corporations, with its officers kind of like the chairmen of the boards and its rank and file officers as members with the citizens that are supposed to be served acting as proxies, meaning they have shares in its stock and are to be working jointly with its officers who they compensate. Officer Cook, as one of your division's best police officers, you went on patrol daily to endeavor to uphold the laws and to keep the peace, prosperity and unity ongoing on your community. You were one of Metro-Dade's brightest stars and your glow from your treasured soul will always endure forever. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. It's up to all police officers not to give in to seduction or any other illegal means that would tarnish and undermine its department that its officers take a solemn oath to protect.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 18, 2013

A society that seduces the conscience by sweet reason is one thing, but ours is developing into a society that harpoons the conscience and tows it right into the maws of the mother vessel, there to be macerated and stuffed into a faceless can. An accurate portrayal of you, Officer cook, would be that of a humble servant of God who had a calling and a burning desire to make the most of your God-given talents. You sure were able to handle whatever dilemma was thrown your way, thrown maybe is not the right phrase. Based on your excellent vigilance, you were able to put a conclusion to many a domestic quarrel or the assignment you were given to solve at the moment. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 18, 2013