Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think and act anew. I hope present day officers could research your background, Officer Cook and truly find out and learn the lessons of leadership that imparted to your fellow officers back in your day. It's shameful that some officers feel a need to run a muck, astray and throw the book away regarding department rules, regulations and policies. You did things right and so can they. If you made a mistake you were told and shown how to correct the situation. Not everyday is a light duty day with a few calls, sometimes you run into buzzsaws of a day and you attempt to do your utmost to resolve any problems that reside in your community that you serve. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 30, 2013

We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles. a lot has changed since your untimely death, Officer Cook. You would be pleasantly surprised by all of the changes. But as I stated before let us hope these changes are truly for the good of the community and its residents. Officers must adjust to the times that they patrol the streets and you excelled in how you went about your position, in an honest and friendly manner. Always top notch and in a first class mode. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 30, 2013

I know nothing but my country, my whole country and nothing but my country. A public office is a public trust. Your served your country, nation and community as a dedicated police officer. Officer Cook with fierce loyalty. Now you are helping patrol God's streets with twenty-thousand other officers who were not afraid to risk their youthful beings in the pursuits of truth and justice, dignity and integrity personified. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 30, 2013

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear-not absence of fear. Except a creature be part coward it is not a compliment to say it is brave: it is merely a loose misapplication of the word. Consider the flea!-incomparably the bravest of all creatures of God, if ignorance of fear were courage. Whether you are asleep or awake he will attack you, caring nothing for the fact that in bulk and strength you are to him as are the massed armies of the earth to a sucking child; he lives both day and night and all days and nights in the very lap of peril and the immediate presence of death and yet is no more afraid than is the man who walks the streets of a city that was threatened by an earthquake ten centuries before. When we speak of certain people as men who didn't know what fear was, we ought to add the flea-and put him at the head of the procession. Everyone displays a certain amount of fear, even police officers, but yet you cannot go out daily with this fear because you would not be able to function in society as you did, Officer Cook, patrolling Dade County streets for six years, handling various calls and assignments with astuteness, bravery, courage, dignity, integrity and honesty. Your final services and funeral procession demonstrated to all of America, Canada and abroad the deep love and respect your fellow officers had for you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 29, 2013

We cannot afford to accumulate a deficit in the books of human fortitude. We cerainly cannot forget you and your fellow comrades, Officer Cook. I would define true courage to be a perfect sensibility of the measure of danger and a mental willingness to endure it. You endured and hopefully you are resting in peace my neighbor, friend and hero in God's great green pastures where your cherished soul is now and forever free to roam.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 29, 2013

Great men, great nations, have not been boasters and buffoons, but perceivers of the terror of life and have manned themselves to face it Great heroes and heroines such as yourself, Officer Cook, face adversity everyday and look at it directly in the eyes of those who commit such brazenly acts. You worked with grace under pressure and won't be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 29, 2013

Heroism feels and never reasons and therefore is always right. It certainly is Officer Cook. No question there. Officers who give up something so important always require eternal recognition for their efforts. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 29, 2013

This will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. Because of brave men and women police officers like you, Officer Cook, can this land be truly called a home of the brave. You sure were brave and full of valor personified. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 29, 2013

Courage takes many forms. There is physical courage, there is moral courage. Then there is a still higher type of courage-the courage to brave pain, to live with it, to never let others know of it and to still find joy in life: to wake up in the morning with an enthusiasm for the day ahead. The courage you displayed that day, Officer Cook was a Godsend indeed, to stand in the face of fire and protect your fellow officers, I, meaning your family, friends and colleagues can't say enough. Your fellow officer, Keith DiGenova still suffers the physical and mental effects of being sverely wounded by the young man who took your life. His life each day he wakes up must be a living hell, for what he went through and Officer Edgerton being wounded severely wounded, needing a temporary colostomy to maintain his life, this is very traumatic. They too are surviving heroes. Officer DiGenova and Officer Edgerton were treated in a not so kind a way after they left the department, although, they were able to receive the benefits befitting a police officer. I know It happened a long time ago, but this was a terrible day for your department and fortunately for them they can continue their lives even with difficulties. Your partner that day, Reserve Officer Lincoln we hope and pray is finding contentment with his life. If you were my partner that day, I'd forever be devastated. Just a heinous and cowardly act to rob a young man such as yourself of his innocence and intellect that could have imparted many a fine exmple to all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 29, 2013

For books are more than books, they are the life, the very heart and core of ages past, the reason why men and women lived, worked and died, the essence and quintessence of their lives. And your life, Officer Cook was proundly writen in the book: "Forgotten Heroes." A book I highly treasured reading and recommending all people to read as it captures the essence of your life and career with the Metro-Dade Police Department and the sacrifice that you made on behalf of the citizens of Dade County as well as that of roughly one-hundred and forty other officers who risked their lives for our protections. You were truly an excellent police officer and it's a shame you are not here with us, though you are in spirit and your vitality will never depart from your loving family's side. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 29, 2013

Wisdom is the abstract of the past, but beauty is the promise of the future. You had so much to still offer this society, Officer Cook, and what happened to you thirty-four years ago will never be forgotten. True heroes and heroines like yourself are always going to be remembered with pride and gratitude. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 29, 2013

I died for beauty, but was scarce adjusted in the tomb, when one who died for truth was slain in an adjoining room. he questioned softly why I failed? "For beauty," I replied. "And I for truth,-the two are one; We brethren are," he said. And so, as kinsmen met at night, we talked between the rooms, until the moss had reahed our lips and covered up our names. You gave your sacred life Officer Cook, on May 16, 1979 for truth and justice. It was a hot day that day I believe and the skies were clear as if you were out in nature snapping pictures of God's handiwork. This beauty is the mark God sets upon virtue. Your were a true man of virtue and the ultimate epitome of what an honorable and humble human being is like and you set the bar high for us to take our cues from. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 29, 2013

What is lovely never dies, but passes into other loveliness, star-dust or sea-foam, flower or winged air. You breathed the same air as we all breathe, Officer Cook and now because of your sacrifice we here in this world can continue to explore and dream about how we can continue life's pursuits as you pursued your dreams and aspirations. One day we will all see you and your father in the next world. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 29, 2013

How beautiful is youth! how bright it gleams with its illusions, aspirations, dreams! Book of Beginnings, Story without end, each maid a heroine and each man a friend! And you were a true hero until the end, Officer Cook. You never gave up and fought this battle with evil until your last breath. If only we could have saved you. You placed your being on the line to secure our liberties and once again saved the lives of your comrades and those two civilians in the name of justice for all. Rest in peac emy neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 29, 2013

He who is firmly seated in authority soon learns to think securely and not progress, the highest lesson of statecraft. No man is fit to command another that cannot command himself. Other officers looked up to you Officer Cook, as you were an inspirational mentor to them and a source of freshness and modern thinking. All the partners that you worked with cannot say enough humble things regarding your fine character. You deserve all the salutes for your courage that can be offered. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 29, 2013

Where the people possess no authority, their rights obtain no respect. You were a fine police officer, Officer Cook, who did not let authority pervert your thinking as so often happens with other officers. If you were here today you personally could impart this very important lesson to all newcomers to the department. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 29, 2013

Art is the gift of God and must be used Unto His glory. And now too late, we see these things are one: that art is sacrifice and self-control and who loves beauty must be stern of soul. You loved the great outdoors, Officer cook and you must have been quite a photographer. You enjoyed tennis as well. It's too bad we could not have hit a few balls across the net. You loving soul can and will always be seen floating above the great mountains of this land. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 29, 2013

Art is not a thing: it is a way. It is art that makes life, makes interest, makes importance, for our consideration and application of these things and I know of no substitute whatever the force and beauty of its process. There is no substitute for men and women like you, Officer Cook, who constantly go through the arduous rigors of your profession to maintain law and order and always do it with honor and integrity. Police officers are important people as we all are and they work a very dangerous job to assist us all. They can never be replaced and their memories are to be always revered. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 29, 2013

Every genuine work of art has as much reason for being as the earth and the sun. And it's a tragedy, Officer Cook, that you were not allowed to continue enjoying your freedoms, like the great outdoors, but you'll always be a hero in our eyes for protecting our freedoms. The sun will come up and the earth will continue to rotate as your beloved soul travels through the heavens above. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 29, 2013

Courage, considered in itself or without reference to its causes, is no virtue and deserves no esteem. It is found in the best and the worst and is to be judged according to the qualities from which it springs and with which it is conjoined. The courage you displayed as do all officers who place their lives at risk, Officer Cook, cannot be taken for granted. Not many people would dare to risk as you so faithfully did and this bravery and valor is the price that your very being exacted for us to be granted peace and contentment in this world. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 28, 2013

He ate and drank the precious words, his spirits grew robust; he knew no more that he was poor, nor that his frame was dust, he danced along the dingy days and this bequest of wings was but a book. What liberty a loosened spirit brings! And we can all thank you, Officer Cook, for providing us with liberty and freedom. Now it is up to us to shoulder the responsibility that was your onus while you so faithfully carried out your duties. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 28, 2013

Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect and it is shameful to surrender it too soon or to the first comer, there is nobility in preserving it coolly and proudly through a long youth, until at last, in the ripeness of instinct and discretion, it can be safely exchanged for fidelity and happiness. Your bold and brave actions on May 16, 1979, Officer Cook, serve to remind us that proper care and caution must be exercised and during that time frame there were tensions as I mentioned before that reared its ugliness in the Dade County community and you and your fellow officers should and were to be commended for exercising proper restraint until you were forced to discharge your weapons. This was a terrible moment in Dade County police history as was the tragedy of April 1, 1976 when three auto theft detectives were killed by a scoundrel who did not want to face the music and go to jail for his crimes. Very sad! There was no doubting your actions you followed the book and was decisive and prudent in acting as you did to save those two civilians and your fellow officers. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero along with those colleagues whose bravery and decisiveness made a difference in how police work ought to be performed.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 27, 2013

Every idea is an incitement. It offers itself for belief and if believed, it is acted on unless some other belief outweighs it, or some failure of energy stifles the movements at its birth. Nothing was going to impede your progress in becoming a police officer and no pun intended my neighbor, friend and hero, but some officers, Officer Cook have different agendas when starting out in police work and march to the beat of a different drum, an instrument you enjoyed playing in your high school band. That is sad about how officers function outside the rules and regulations of their departments, but of course that is why they have other officers known as the Internal Affairs Division. No one wants to sit and be grilled for hours on end regarding their official misconduct and to be told to hand in your badge and weapon. But there are those officers who should not be allowed to patrol the streets in certain communities. This happened about two weeks ago, a Broward County Deputy committed several criminal violations and yet because of his lawyer and department, they gave him his position back with almost seventeen months back pay. I say the only uniform he should wear is a prison uniform, but I guess he has rights. Your friend, Chief Jacobs is very computer literate and could google this case as it was written in either the South Florida Sun Sentinel or the Miami Herald. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero and know you are watching and observing the actions of officers in this world who are devoted to truth and justice for all people and would not misuse or tarnish the badge and uniform along with the trust that accompanies them.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 27, 2013

We are born believing. A man bears beliefs as a tree bears apples. I'm sure you friends who knew you, Officer Cook, knew both your abilities and capabilities. As an officer you were sure of both these characteristics and the man you grew up to become. There is a saying that the apple does not fall far from the tree and in your case my neighbor, friend and hero, it certainly did not. It took your parents terrific upbringing and much planning and calculating to figure out how you could proceed with the process of becoming a very excellent and observant police officer. Your legacy continues to shine brightly at the Metro-Dade Police Headquarters in Doral, Florida. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 27, 2013

Faith is a fine invention when gentlemen can see. But microscopes are prudent in an emergency. Your faith never wavered, Officer Cook and neither did your comrades nor your department's confidence in your abilities ever become shaken. You provided sound leadership, resourcefulness and accountability that only the most loyal and top officers present. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 27, 2013