Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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

I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing, therefore, that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. Your conduct that fateful day of May 16, 1979, Officer Cook, was above and beyond reproach. You displayed fearless courage, placing yourself as all officers should in harms way to save seven lives. There is no more special hero than yourself who honored God's creatures. You were very special to all and will forever be recognized. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 6, 2013

We failed, but in the good providence of God apparent failure often proves a blessing. You never failed, Officer Cook and now because of your courage and valor, officers have side panels as added protection when they patrol the streets you so vigorously manned. Just wished back in your time they had these for all officers. When my dad was a police officer in New York for parts of five decades, they did not have anything to protect him, just my mother praying he comes home safely as your wife and family did on your behalf. There are always lessons to be learned and taught to all officers when a colleague gives their live in the performance of their official duties. God bless you and the Cook Family for giving you to us to police the territories of Dade County with honor, loyalty and distinction. The reverence you showed the citizens will never go without reflection as this is your legacy based upon your outstanding performance to all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 5, 2013

Chastity is the cement of civilization and progress. Without it there is no stability in society. And it is because of determined and dedicated men and women like yourself, Officer Cook, that we can rest a little bit easier at night. Your grit and determination allowed you to calm down people who needed a little calming and a sense of reason for their actions. If decisions were a choice between alternatives, decisions would come easy. Decision is the selection and formulation of alternatives. You always have to access every situation placed before you and Officer Cook, you were exemplary in this field. It takes a calm and cool person under duress to formulate a plan of action to benefit everyone concerned to bring about peace and unity in a community. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You were the glue that held your family and departmental colleagues together as one. This bond will last forever.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 5, 2013

Charity....is kind, it is not easily provoked, it thinks no evil, it believes all things, hopes all things. You and Karen, Officer Cook were not only very hospitable but givers as well. Whenever you saw a need, you helped out at all costs. You were there for a community and when the time came for them to pay respects they came and saluted you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 5, 2013

Three things can ruin a man. Power, money and women. I never wanted power. I never had any money and the only woman in my life is up at the house right now. I can tell you one thing, my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook and that is both you and your beloved wife, Karen worked very hard to purchase a home and you both lived in a modest home, you grew up in North Miami Beach in a modest home around the corner from my family. You worked extremely hard and long hours to be able to get from point A to point B. No one just sits and can expect to get any where in life. Your accomplishments in your chosen professions bears this out. Police work is arduous and the nursing profession has its stress and anxieties to bear as well. There was a recent situation in Boca Raton, Florida where all three of these things forced an officer from there to resign. How sad! You only looked out for how you could make Dade County a much safer and a sound community and for this you'll always be remembered. Rest in peace. Nothing endures but personal qualities and these along with a person's good name can be taken to the next world. The officer wearing Badge#1664, Officer William C. Cook will always have a place of honor and contentment for the well done job he provided all in need. Humbleness and the right timing allow a person to work their way up through the ranks.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 5, 2013

I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor. Even had you not become an outstanding police officer, Officer Cook, you still would have been successful in whatever endeavor you would have chosen. I do believe with your quality of character and an excellent upbringing by your lovely and devoted parents, police work was in the end meant for you. You had the right frame of mind to loyally and faithfully discharge your duties with grace, honor and integrity so vital to the public interest that you served with distinction for six years of commitment and total fulfillment. You brought compassion and a fierce passion to your department and never shunned any assignment placed before you. You were there that day, May 16, 1979, Officer William C. Cook and your partner, Reserve Officer Scott Lincoln trying to calm an already volatile situation. Your were a true leader, not just a follower. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 5, 2013