Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

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

Fame is what you have taken, character is what you give: When to this truth you waken, then you begin to live. You lived Officer Cook, by doing an honest job, a profession that calls for more than just physical demands. You employed every ounce each moment of your watch to justice and law and order with a sense of dignity and integrity and never will you be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You shunned the limelight and went about your business with the epitome of class that was expected from you and all police officers.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 5, 2013

Conscience is the inner voice which warns us that someone m.ay be looking. Your intellect, Officer Cook and God's hands led you to answer that call in which you tried bravely to calm a young man bent on violence. If we only knew why did God call on you that day, that awful day to become one of His treasured angels? The answer to that and more will eventually come and we will see you once again. The saying let your conscience be your guide is how police officers navigate through the dangers they face everyday, every moment on or off duty. You will never be questioned on your bravery to act to save those seven individuals and they will always be grateful to you, Officer Cook. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 4, 2013

Sincerity is impossible, unless it pervades the whole being and the concept of it saps the very foundation of character. You modeled yourself, Officer Cook as a serious young man who wanted to achieve and to bring a collective balance of justice in an honest way to civility. It took years of training, practicing to put into action how you were going to police the streets the right way with integrity and dignity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your actions that day were sincere, honorable and by the book with the highest of standards employed to try and end a terrible day for Metro-Dade and all of Dade County Departments.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 4, 2013

The wisest man could ask no more of fate than to be simple, modest, manly, true; safe from many, honored by the few; to count as naught in the world, or place of worship or state. But inwardly in secret to be great. You came from a loving and nurturing family and lived humbly, Officer Cook and this was a primary reason for your success. You let your police work speak for itself and then when you received plaudits you thanked those honoring you and moved on. You paved the way for others to follow humbly as well. The wisdom you garnered, Officer Cook did allow you to stay focused on the tasks at hand. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 4, 2013

Nothing endures but personal qualities. The greatest grace of a gift, perhaps, is that it anticipates and admits of no return. Your greatness in the face of evil and the swiftness in which you answered that call, Officer Cook, symbolizes what it means to be heroic. not knowing the final outcome and yet springing into action to stop a situation gone so wrong. Your colleagues and family knew who you were, Officer Cook and what you were truly made of. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. This speaks volumes of your unwavering character.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 4, 2013

Lives of great men all remind us we can make our lives sublime and departing, leave behind us footprints on the sands of time. when you left this world, Officer Cook, you took all the genuinely special traits that made this a safer place to live and to thrive as a free people. Time may not heal all wounds, but time as it keeps passing will always leave that place for us to always keep you in our hearts and prayers. A special person who made his mark in society with his conscious and courage unlikely to be replicated by anyone else. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 4, 2013

Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. and so were you, Officer Cook and your comrades who made the sacrifice before you. They planted the seeds for future officers such as yourself who eventually joined the department. Now that you have made the same ultimate sacrifice you have implanted these roots in other future officers. men and women who purposefully take the same oath to serve and protect. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your reputation will never be blemished.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 4, 2013

Men are disposed to live honestly, if by the means of doing so are open to them. All people are expected to live as honestly as possible. of course law enforcement officers are supposed to fulfill their duties living constantly by this creed. You, Officer Cook, held your head high with pride and dignity as you tried to diffuse situations that could lead to more serious consequences. If following rules and regulations is tough on incoming officers, then maybe police work is not for them. When you began back in the day at Miami-Dade Police Academy, Officer Cook, it was your mission from day one to learn, practice, and put into action all that you needed to know in order to bring law and order to Dade County streets in a humanely civil manner. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 4, 2013

Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul, as the swift seasons roll! Leave thy low-vaulted past! let each new temple, nobler than the last, shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast, till thou at length art free, leaving thine outgrown shell by life's unresting sea! Your beloved soul, Officer cook, is and will forever be travelling over every sea. Forever will you be resting in peace my neighbor, friend and hero in God's enchanted shelter sure to watch and protect those officers in this world who took the same solemn oath to serve as you did.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 4, 2013

God give us men! A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands. Men whom the lust of office does not kill; men whom the spoils of office cannot buy, men who possess opinions and a will; men who have honor; men who will not lie. That's why we need both strong men and women, not only in brawn, but mentally acute as well. Officer Cook, you were just the right individual to tackle the challenges that face all officers. Since your youth you were dedicated to climb whatever mountain you had to go up to become that very special public servant we all came to know. i did not know you even though our families lived around the corner and this has remained with me until this day. I do think of you and your friend and classmate appreciates reading my daily entries regarding your life and career. You were special and unique in the sense that you made friends very easily. Your family was a very special and honorable family in North Miami Beach, Florida and those who knew you and the career in which your carved out were the fortunate ones to gain from your personality. and its enlightening presence. The Cooks and Wilkersons will always remain special to the Davis Family. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 4, 2013