Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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

A man makes his inferiors his superiors by heat, self control is the rule. Anger and folly walk cheek by jowl; repentance treads on both their heels. Hate and anger destroy a man's sense of values and confuses him beyond reason. As a duly trained and highly professional officer, Officer Cook, you were able to learn and grow on the force because of your calming voice and sense of rationality. If all officers could use these two traits modestly and apply them in the correct manner, they are more likely to succeed rather to run into failure. Every officer of course is different and their personalities are as well, but they must mesh with others while on the job. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 27, 2013

America's greatness and intellect is constructed upon our freedom-is moral, not material. We have a great ardor for gain; but we have a deep passion for the rights of man. Thanks to your wonderful leadership skills, Officer Cook, you have allowed us to be free and secure to follow our dreams and aspirations so faithfully. We all stand together and can't be like ostriches, with our heads buried and not give consideration to others. officers cannot run from crisis, their bravery must come to the forefront as they must display leadership in times of harm and in secure moments. You were a champion, Officer Cook for the rights of all citizens and this too is a part of your legacy not to be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 27, 2013

We, here in America, hold in our hands the hope of the world, the fate of the coming years; and shame and disgrace will be ours if, in our eyes, the light of high resolve is dimmed, if we trail in the dust the golden hopes of men. We placed our hopes in your fate, Officer Cook and you never ever disappointed in your handing of dilemmas that happened. You made sure citizens were safe and secure and never had a doubt in your abilities to function and to manage others under your direction. America is the greatest of opportunities and you took advantage of sound reasoning and logic to achieve what others did not. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. There is a giant reservoir of good will toward us and we can never thank you enough, Officer Cook, for channeling this our way.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 27, 2013

America is not just a power: it is a promise. It is not enough for our country to be extraordinary in might; it must be exemplary in meaning. Our honor and our role in the world finally depend on the living proof that we are a just society. The living proof of your honor and integrity can be cataloged in the way your family conducts their lives, Officer Cook. The manner in which they carry on your legacy will stand forever as to how you will be remembered. All officers take an oath so sacred to carry out their duties with dignity and honor, if one officer goes astray, it can tarnish an entire department, God forbid. You were the proof that officers can accomplish their professions with their heads held high and with tact and grace. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 27, 2013

Her children shall rise up to bless her name and wish her harmless length of days, the mighty mother of a mighty brood, blessed in all tongues and dear to every blood, the beautiful, the strong and best of all, the good. You certainly came from an excellent upbringing, Officer Cook, you and your sister, Nancy had opportunities to pursue your dreams because of your wonderful parents, you father, Charles, who should rest in peace and your beloved mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, who should live and be well at age ninety-seven and I will kept her in my thoughts and prayers. You were blessed with thoughtfulness and a keen intellect with that in mind this made you more mature than others and enabled you to accomplish your job with the high standards of conduct that is expected of all police officers. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 27, 2013

America is a tune that must be sung together. Thou, too sail on, O ship of state, sail on, O Union, strong and great. Humanity with all its fears, with all the hope of future years, is hanging breathless on thy fate. Our fates rest in the many dedicated police officers from far and wide across our great country. You were one of them Officer Cook, a great man indeed, full of pride and a source of honor to your family and friends who knew you so very well. You are greatly missed and to this day genuinely admired for a job well done. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 27, 2013

We are a people with a faith in each other and when we lose that faith we are weak, however heavily armed. We are a people with a faith in reason and the unending pursuit of new knowledge; and when we lose that faith we are insecure, though we be ever so heavily armed. We are a people with a faith in God and a deep sense of stewardship to Our Creator, the Father of us all and when that is no longer strong within us, we are weak and we are lost, however heavily armed with weapons-with atomic weapons-we may be. Let us hope we can be strong in our beliefs and continue to have unwavering faith as you had during your lifetime, Officer Cook. This was what carried you through each and every day of your career, in good and bad. Our children and future generations should God forbid never see or hear of any kind of atomic or nuclear weapon. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Look after from above those less fortunate and help keep strife away from our very land of the free and home of the brave.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 27, 2013