Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Freedom needs all her poets: it is they who give her aspiration's wings and to the wiser law of music sway her wild imaginings. Freedom requires group participation from an entire community if it is going to function in a rational manner. That is why, Officer Cook, you were with us at the crossroads to make certain we would have our securities in place. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 17, 2013

And I honor the man who is willing to sink half his present repute for the freedom to think, and when he has thought, be his cause strong or weak, will risk the other half for the freedom to speak. You spoke when spoken to, Officer Cook and always addressed people in a calm and mild fashion and that was your way of serving with grace under fire. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 17, 2013

We cannot choose freedom established on a hierarchy of degrees of freedom, on a caste system of equality like military rank. We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it. You always practiced what you and Karen preached, Officer cook and because of this reasoning you became the person, the officer who loved his work and served honorably and with great distinction. You gave your life to make men and women holy, let us die to make both men and women free, while God is marching on as does your giving spirit as it travels up above in God's fruited plains for eternity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 17, 2013

Freedom all winged expands, nor perches in a narrow place; her broad van seeks unplanted lands; she loves a poor and virtuous race. Freedom does come at all costs, mostly because of our dedicated men and women in law enforcement who are not afraid to tackle situations most would not touch. Heroes such as you my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook, have gone beyond your positions in order to offer us the quality service we so desire. We always would desire more positive outcomes for our police officers and that cannot always occur, but nevertheless we keep their spirits and memories alive by living our lives as they so faithfully did. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 17, 2013

Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and women and so it must be earned daily and refreshed-or else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die. Our freedoms at the ultimate sacrifice of your life, Officer Cook, did come about because you were fearless in your daily pursuits of evil and in serving us to protect the good that exists in this community. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 17, 2013

Freedom of expression is the matrix, the indispensable condition of nearly every other form of freedom. It is because of heroic men and women like you, Officer Cook, that we can be allowed to do as we please. Your effort to revitalize a community where racial unrest was starting to take shape was one of the things you most excelled besides the stellar work you did to maintain law and order and you'll not be forgotten for this. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 17, 2013

All men and women are born free and equal and have certain natural, essential and unalienable rights. And as a police officer and citizen, you too, Officer Cook had these same rights. These rights were taken from you on May 16, 1979 and because of your supreme sacrifice, citizens in Dade County can continue to live their dreams and aspirations as they see fit because of men and women so game as yourself. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 17, 2013

Oh, Lord, I want to be free, want to be free; rainbow round my shoulder, wings on my feet. God surely has wrapped Himself totally around your loving soul, Officer Cook. We never wanted you to lose your life, you very much still had a lot to offer this world and were a commanding presence in your department who will never be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 17, 2013

You use whatever force is necessary to achieve the purpose and i would like to feel that there wouldn't be a need for using armed force if we made it apparent that we have the will, if necessary, to do that. You did whatever you had to do that day, Officer Cook. The skill and judgment you exercised was well within the confines of the law to try and resolve this domestic dispute of which you excelled in handling. You tried being reasonable, unfortunately this young man had terrible problems that he thought could be served by doing harm to police officers like yourself, who must lookout for the public interest first and foremost. You saved your fellow officers, placing yourself in harm's way and those three civilians. Back then your two comrades who nearly lost their lives had bad experiences within the department that hopefully as the years have sadly passed so quickly will too be honored for their own bravery as they were the original officers dispatched to that awful scene. All officers who put themselves in harm's way do so for a very noble reason. One most of us may not fully comprehend and these are the true heroes and heroines to be saluted as you were for being dedicated to perform above and beyond the call of duty with honor and distinction. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 16, 2013

All over the bouquets of roses, O death, I cover you over with roses and lilies, but mostly and now the lilac that blooms the first, Copious I break, I break the sprigs from the bushes, with loaded arms I come, pouring for you, for you and the coffin of yourself, O death. Officer Cook, there were plenty of floral arrangements sent in for your visitation and burial service. But their was more than that and that was the emotional outpouring of the community you so dearly loved and served with professionalism the entire six years of your watch. You probably would have cried if you knew how many people, how many officers came from all over to pay their respects to you and your wonderfully loving and giving family. You were a true Godsend to the Metro-Dade Police family, Officer Cook and your tragic passing has left all of them still beside themselves wondering why did this happen to a truly humane, sensitive and passionate gentleman? Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 16, 2013

Off with your hat as the flag goes by! and let the heart have its say; you're man enough for a tear in your eye that you will not wipe away. All hats stayed on as your comrades saluted your flag draped casket as you, Officer Cook, were being taken into St. Mary's Cathedral one last time for your Inspector's Funeral where there was no dry eye only plenty of somberness and sorrow for a man who was a true hero indeed. And in the end as they played taps, the National Anthem and gave you a gun salute before laying you to rest and a final salute for your bravery and courage as the thirteenth Metro-Dade Police Officer to give their life in the line of duty. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 16, 2013

We are afraid of truth, afraid of fortune, afraid of death and afraid of each other. You were not afraid of truth, as you were raised to only speak the truth. You lived humbly growing up and faced those terrible circumstances with grace and humility right down until your last breath and that is why, Officer Cook you will be forever remembered. If something was on your mind, you told it like it is, you did not beat around the bush. Police officers all have this motto and that is to serve and protect. Not run and hide and be dishonest with the public trust. There is a reason why we are supposed to trust officers and speak to them in a civil fashion. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 16, 2013

And I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning striding behind you or your shadow at evening rising to meet you; I will show you fear in a handful of dust. Police officers are showed a lot of different situations and the various circumstances on why they happen. When you went out on your first patrol, Officer Cook, I'm sure you had a certain amount of apprehension, but as you gained the knowledge and experience in how to properly deal with each dilemma, your confidence became more clearer and you were able to visualize how to handle problems in the correct and proper manner with dignity, integrity and compassion. Heroes like yourself really do exist and we must make and take the time to pause, salute and reflect back on your life and career. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 16, 2013

The outward wayward of life we see, the hidden springs we may not know....it is ours to separate the tangled skein of will and fate. God's will directs officer each day and God's judgment rests in how every officer performs his or her duties. You faithfully performed your duties, Officer Cook and now, God is leading you on another important mission: to help Him protect those officers who expose their lives to evil. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 16, 2013

The bitterest tragic element in life from an intellectual source is the belief in a brute fate or destiny, which we may be partial, but fate is not. All officers we hope live by their faiths and are honorable men and women such as yourself, Officer Cook, to live by morals and a code of ethics, to give up your existence to make us all feel safer. Simply put, they don't make officers such as yourself who do what needs to be done. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. I meant to say my mother required surgery and thank God recovered and I also meant to use the words you and will in a statement that you and your fellow Metro-Dade Officers will always be relevant and are to be saluted for serving your community with honor and dedication.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 14, 2013

The security and elevation of the family and of family life are the prime objects of civilization and the ultimate ends of all industry. Your family, Officer Cook and Karen, were always number one in your life. They knew your fondness and the passion which you brought to your position when you left each day never knowing what might, God forbid happen. They knew how sincere police work was to you and the connections you made from your department. Families always wonder and pray for their loved ones when they go to work. A short story, my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook. My family lived in Cambria Heights, New York, where my father, Owen Charles Davis, he should rest in peace was a police officer. I was seven months old and there was an accident in my home in which my mother Bernice, was burned. Luckily, workers were in the home and she was hospitalized for eight weeks. Nothing happened to my dad on duty, as I was staying with my Aunt Lilly, she too should rest in peace, who took care of me. She required surgery. God is always watching us and He too watches over you as you rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 13, 2013

If you will observe, it doesn't take a man of giant mold to make a giant shadow on the wall; and he who in our daily sight seems but a figure mean and small, outlined in fame's illusive light, may stalk, a silhouette sublime, across the canvas of his time. It sounds like one terrific officer whose name was associated with honor and proper respect due his position. You were, Officer Cook, the thinking man's officer. You always be fondly saluted for your gallantry. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 13, 2013

Sleep on, O brave-hearted, O wise man that kindled the flame-to live in mankind is far more than to live in a name. You name with always be relevant for forevermore, Officer Cook. They made shirts with the names of your forty-one other comrades who died for peace and unity in Dade County. Your intellect, your inspiration will always serve as our motivation to do the job correctly and keep a smile on your face with compassion. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 13, 2013

Let the thick curtain fall; I better know than all, how little I have gained, how vast the unattained. You attained greatness in your department, Officer Cook, because of your achievements garnered with humility and grace. Your colleagues were very grateful for the opportunity to serve with you. You made us all glad to known such a fine police officer who always went by the book. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 13, 2013

And nothing to look backward to with pride. And nothing to look forward to with hope. The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall. The probability that we may fall in the struggle ought not deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just; it shall not deter me. Well we can look back with pride because of how you handled yourself, Officer Cook, for all those years working rigorously under the pressures that accompany your position. Let us go forward as you my neighbor, friend and hero would want us to do and not lay back feeling sorry for ourselves. That is not how a person gets ahead in life. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 13, 2013

Our whole way of life today is dedicated to the removal of risk. Cradle to grave we are supported, insulated and isolated from the risks of life-and if we fall, our government stands ready with bandages of every size. Unfortunately, we cannot permanently take away dangers officers confront today or back centuries ago. Officer Cook, you faced all the dangers head on and squared your shoulders to confront the wickedness and callous act of one young man who desperately needed help. You were a brave soul until the end and because of sacrifice, you are now cradled in God's hands forever. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 13, 2013

A moment's insight is sometimes worth a life's experience. Experience is the name everyone gives their mistakes. One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning. On your watch, Officer Cook, you were generally very careful and observant. Officers don't always receive a second chance to correct a mistake and so they must at all times be on guard. Man's capabilities have never been measured; nor are we to judge of what he can do by any precedents, so little has been tried. I'm sure your department, as well as other departments look into how they can deal with the type of problem that cost you your life and how to further improve officer safety and efficiency. You were a true hero to protect and save your comrades from further harm as well as the three civilians. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 13, 2013

All experience is an arch to build upon. The years teach much which the days never know. All these years have taught us that if we looked back and researched your outstanding career, Officer Cook, we would find out what a superior person you were and the character of your persona which made you one of the top officers of your time. A great part of courage is the courage of having done the thing before. You started out as a public safety officer at Jackson Memorial Hospital, if I'm correct and then when you turned twenty you joined after completion of the police academy at Miami-Dade North, the ranks of the Metro-Dade Police Department where you provided invaluable and loyal service for the next six years. All good. All honorable. All served with dignity and a supreme amount of integrity. No one is perfect, but if one could cast a model of the prototype of police officer, the department dearly needs, it would be you my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer William C. Cook, Badge#1664. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 13, 2013

Cause and effect are two sides of one fact. Cause and effect, means and ends, seed and fruit, cannot be severed; for the effect already blooms in the cause, the end pre-exists in the means, the fruit in the seed. Officer Cook, for six distinguished years with the Metro-Dade Police Department, you brought about this cause and effect. Your carried it wherever you went. Your character and the humbleness in how you lived your life with your beloved wife, Karen, now travels with you up in the heavens above. A person's good name and the deeds that they performed in this world will always precede you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 13, 2013

A fire-mist and a planet, a crystal and a cell, a jellyfish and a saurian, and caves where the cavemen dwell; then a sense of law and beauty, and a face turned from the clod-some call it evolution, and others call it God. Your beautiful being, Officer Cook is now with God and we still, those who knew you and loved you so dearly can envision your smiling face. The memories of you will live on forever wherever your loved ones travel. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 13, 2013