Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved. Your destiny Officer Cook, was to respond to a call without be told to do so and for this you are to be highly commended. You chanced your very being as all police officers do to help pacify and to calm a young man down and convince him to surrender peacefully without being harmed. You and your colleagues used tact and your training to do as much as you possibly could. If things did not go so wrong in that instance, we may never know, but your courage and valor from that day forward will forever standout among your comrades before you who too laid down their lives in the pursuit of truth and justice. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 10, 2013

Democracy gives every man the right to be his own oppressor. Democracy may give a person the right to bear arms, but not the right to commit murder of a law enforcement officer or officers and the freedom to willfully obstruct justice the way they see fit. Police officers have to exercise when to act with their weapons and when to step back and assess the situation. Officer Cook, you exercised the greatest restraint I can think of, but you knew exactly how to respond to assist your fellow officers and the civilians who were threatened by a man who thought violence was honorable which of course it never will be. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 10, 2013

Henceforward, listen as we will, the voices of that breath are still; look where we may, the wide earth o'er those lighted faces smile no more....We turn the pages that they read, their written words we linger o'er, but in the sun they cast no shade, no voice is heard, no sign is made, no step is on the conscious floor! Yet love will dream and faith will trust since He who knows our need is just, that somehow, somewhere, meet we must. We will meet you once again, my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook. We turn the page, but we keep returning to the why part of it. Why did God call for you that day? What will we do without your physical being guiding us each step of the way? One answer is your cherished soul now serves as our compass leading us to new adventures, higher heights and mountains too steep to climb. We may not see your gorgeous smile, but we still can feel the warmth that exuded from your cheerful spirit. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 10, 2013

On fame's eternal camping ground their silent tents are spread and glory guards, with solemn round, the bivouac of the dead. Your sacred burial site, Officer Cook, is for all to visit and leave a note or something to honor you by. Your fortitude was indeed marvelous and your outstanding character was beyond reproach. You served with loyalty and enabled us to have a new lease on life. Just wished officers as brave as you could receive a new lease on life. God now grants you eternal life so that your soul may travel wherever it deems necessary. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. each person is born to one last possession which outvalues all the others-his last breath and yours, Officer Cook, was spent in doing honorable and praiseworthy situations.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 10, 2013

At end of love, at end of life, at end of hope, at end of strife, at end of all we cling to so-the sun is setting-must we go? At dawn of love, at dawn of life, at dawn of peace that follows strife, at dawn of all we long for so-the sun is rising-let us go. Officer Cook, I'm sure you would want to be here and we all wished you were to be with your beloved wife, Karen, your mother, sister and all your family members watching the beautiful sunrise and sunsets. Snapping off pictures of nature and all that is good in this world. You were that dignified officer who preserved life and helped deliver life into the world. Your gallantry shows us that men and women like yourself do make a difference in how we conduct ourselves. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 10, 2013

Death, however, is a spongy wall, is a sticky river, is nothing at all. Of course when someone you know and love, admire and respect passes suddenly, the eyes well up and and a flood of tears comes pouring out and this is exactly what transpired when you left us, Officer Cook. Giving your being back to God who brought you into this world to do just what He planned for you to do and this is to serve, protect and defend our freedoms so liberty and justice for all could be achieved. There is not anything more nobler, more heroic, than to lay your life down so we can continue living our lives as we choose. Police officers don't always get to choose these things. Your twenty-five years were lived in a most prolific and productive manner. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 10, 2013

There is no confessor like unto death! Thou cannot see Him, But he is near: Thou need not whisper above thy breath and he will hear. God hears our requests very well and tests us daily to see how we handle adversity. On May 16, 1979, Our Creator tested us when You, Officer Cook, gave your life for Dade County and your memory continues to rain down only goodness on those you loved. Your family, colleagues and friends who supported you and were there in your last moments hoping you would survive the brutality that ended your young and promising career with so much more to offer this world. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 10, 2013

The grave itself is but a covered bridge leading from light to light, through a brief darkness! You have passed from this world, Officer Cook, but the light of your tender soul will always dispel the cloud of darkness that hovers above us. Your community remembers you pious actions and fervent assistance that you gave to others. One dark moment cannot last forever and you'll always be thought of and held in high regard. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 10, 2013

Fast as the rolling seasons bring, the hour of fate to those we love, each pearl that leaves the broken string is set in friendship's crown above. As narrower grows the earthly chain, the circle widens in the sky; these are our treasures that remain, but those are stars that beam on high. Whenever an officer loses their lives in the performance of their duties, of course, we are sad, their families, friends and colleagues lose someone that was very special and unique to them. They brought something intrinsic to their departments and communities and yet while the chain may have broken, they will forever remain in our hearts and souls always. One cannot extinguish a love done's soul, it continues beating and burning more brighter now than ever. Your special soul, Officer Cook will always and will forever continue burning brighter than ever since that fateful day of May 16, 1979 and you will always remain ingrained in our beings for eternity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The entire nation suffers greatly when one of their own is lost in the line of duty and the strong lean upon death as on a rock. Your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, may she live and be well, has the heart and spirit, as solid as a rock to continue living after your father's passing and your passing. Her devotion to God has sustained her and has allowed her to witness happy occasions within your loving family. All officers are pearls in that you open them and you immediately know they are very special indeed.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 10, 2013

Gone are the days when my heart was young and gay, gone are my friends from the cotton fields away, gone from the earth to a better land I know. You were so young and vibrant, Officer Cook and there was so much more promise and achievements left for you to fulfill. God needed a guardian angel to join the other twenty-thousand officers who continue to watch over us and you were called to do so. You are accomplishing a very special mission for now and will always be looked upon as our shining hero, the honor, dignity and integrity that you stood for will not be replicated and you'll never be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 10, 2013

The world feels dusty when we stop to die; we want the dew then, honors taste dry. There was not a dry eye in St. Mary's Cathedral the day of your Inspector's Funeral, Officer Cook, all your friends and colleagues gathered to offer you one final and tearful salute for your service with valor and bravery. If I had attended, I'm sure I would have been sobbing like a baby. I did that at your parent's home, some thirty plus years later. You sure were brave and loyal. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 9, 2013

Rock-ribbed and ancient as the sun,-the vales stretching in pensive quietness between; the venerable woods-rivers that move in majesty and the complaining brooks that make the meadows green; and poured around all, old ocean's gray and melancholy waste,-are but the solemn decorations all of the great tomb of man. Your ledger, gravestone, Officer Cook, symbolizes what you meant to all mankind, going the extra mile to sacrifice on our behalf for a safer nation and community. God is always in all directions so we know where to look for your cherished soul that will forever shine down brightly on your loving family, colleagues and friends. Since every death diminishes us a little, we grieve-not so much for the death as for ourselves. Your passing as well as the passing of all law enforcement personnel always leaves our nation with more to reflect on not only how you performed your duties, but how gracefully you lived your lives. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 9, 2013

I am in the burying place may see, graves shorter than I; from death's arrest no age is free, young children too may die. All police officers are the children to their loving parents and when they are sudden taken away from them, their communities and modern society is denied the right to see them directly still making an impact in their places of residence, But we all realize the sacrifices they made to serve and protect us, so that we can carry on with our hopes, dreams and aspirations as they did. Officer Cook, you may be gone, but you'll always be remembered as an inspiration to so many other officers who have gone on as you so faithfully did in executing your duties to make us all safer. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. I do visit your grave and it gives me time to pause and reflect. You were truly a classy and decent person.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 9, 2013

An utterly fearless man is a far more dangerous comrade than a coward. No one is totally fearless. But police officers when they enter the police academy are made aware of the risks and the rewards of the profession. Officer Cook, you were simply a very caring, a very honest and dedicated police officer who without any shadow of a doubt made a deep impact in the Dade County Community that will always represent your legacy. Your fine work revitalized a community and your ability not to panic and to try and bring a peaceful resolution to a situation that escalated into violence was truly amazing and you'll never be forgotten for this. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 9, 2013

No man ever looks at the world with pristine eyes. He sees it edited by a definite set of customs, institutions and ways of thinking. Police officers like all people have to keep their eyes and ears open at all times to alert themselves of any possible troubles. You gazed out into society, Officer Cook and looked at the bright side of things, always positive and reassuring. No one can fault you for your actions on May 16, 1979, which took on a much more reverent meaning. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 6, 2013

In general those who have nothing to say contrive to spend the longest time in doing it; they turn and vary it in every way, hashing it, stewing it, mincing it rehashing it. You did not mice words, Officer Cook and when you had to speak your mind, you did so without any reservations. You raised to speak when spoken to and your fine manners translated into an upstanding career. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 6, 2013

Solitude is as needful to the imagination as society is wholesome for the character. When you needed to be alone at times, Officer Cook, this helped you relieve any anxieties you might have experienced. You were a great friend to all, caring and informative, elite and resourceful. The leisure times and the cultivation of your human capacities were inextricably interdependent. you poured your heart and soul into your profession producing excellent results. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 6, 2013

My own thoughts are my companions. Even in quiet times Officer Cook, I'm sure you looked back on each day to find ways to improve your policing. But you never lacked confidence in knowing you could get the job done properly as well as safely. The officers you partnered with during your career were truly blessed to have such a fine and outstanding officer riding with them. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. In one of my reflections, I meant to say Karen would have made, not the word mad. I believed you both had such a wonderful marriage and it's terrible your now here still to partake in everyday pleasures that men and women like you and other officers give their lives so we can have our freedoms to enjoy what we choose to. I also don't think either of you raised your voices at each other despite having stressful professions that demand quality, character and honesty beyond reproach. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You were able to roll ideas off of each other and pick each other's mind trying to figure out how you could make a situation better.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 6, 2013

To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee, one clover and a bee and revery, the revery alone will do if bees are few. You enjoyed taking pictures of the great outdoors, Officer Cook and as you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, you can continue to watch over those who explore the great outdoors as you did with a passion.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 6, 2013

The thirst for glory is an epidemic which robs a people of their judgment, seduces their vanity, cheats them of their interests and corrupts their consciences. Your yearning and thirst was to be the very best officer you could become, Officer Cook and you were. The judgment of a young man gone astray robbed a family of their beloved son, husband, brother, uncle and great-uncle. I could even say a father that you would have been to children. Karen would have mad a great mother and someday you would have seen grandchildren. You would have made great parents because you both had terrific parents to raise, love and nurture into fine people indeed. If you only you could have witnessed the people and officers who came to pay you one final salute for your bravery and courage. I'll keep keep your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook in my thoughts and prayers. You have one terrific mother, would still love to meet her in San Diego. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 6, 2013

Give us clear vision, that we may know where to stand and what to stand for-because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything. You gave you life, Officer Cook, for everything, our liberty, our dreams to someday fulfill as you so diligently accomplished. Police officers have their own system of checks and balances like Congress. It's just you have to pay attention to detail and to be precise in all your actions each moment of your watch. Look after us and watch us my neighbor, friend and hero as you rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 6, 2013

Be courteous to all, but intimate with few and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. Your training officers could see the recruit they had in Officer William C. Cook, you never lost touch with reality, lacked confidence, were personable yet humble and performed your job like no other officer could. You gave more to the community than we could give back to you. We can pay you back my neighbor, friend and hero by honoring your legacy and by dedicating ourselves to follow the golden rule as you adhered to. Treat everyone as you would want to be treated. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 6, 2013

The moral sense, or conscience, is as much a part of man as his leg or arm. It is given to all human beings in a stronger or weaker degree, as force of members is given them in a greater or less degree. Every element, every part of an officers make up must be functioning at an optimal level for them to physically and mentally maintain their edge in serving their community. Your level, Officer Cook, was to always operate at such a high degree and this allow your to have an edge when defending and protecting our liberties and freedoms in order to unify people into one safe and very sound community. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 6, 2013

Decency-generosity-cooperation-assistance in trouble-devotion to duty; these are the things that are of greater value than surface appearances and customs. You were not one, Officer Cook, to stand on pomp and circumstance. You did not just hang your cap, you took action where and when it was called for. It's your upbringing that a person learns how to conduct themselves before they can make a name or success in their chosen line of work. Police officers have not only very stressful and tense dilemmas that occur on their watches, but they must also conduct their private affairs beyond any shadows of suspicion. Your partner, Reserve Officer Scott Lincoln, was most fortunate that he had you as his partner that day, watching his back as well as the other three officers and those three civilians. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 6, 2013

A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster, boasting, rashness and other signs of insecurity. You were a very secure person, Officer Cook. Both you and Karen knew where you priorities lied. The reflection describes your character as both an officer and as a gentleman to a tee. We should all strive to emulate your ways in being the consummate professional. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your humility speaks volumes and all law enforcement should strive to be like you in this endeavor.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 6, 2013