Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you insane your whole life. No one is perfect of course, Officer Cook, but you and your beloved wife, Karen strived to live a well balanced life between your professions. You cared about helping others achieve and so did Karen. All anyone could ask of their officers is to give their best effort day and night and so you did this for a good portion of your career. Honesty is still the best policy and it took you to the top of your profession and I believe if you were here today, your destiny would have taken you to much greater heights. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2013

One sad thing about this world is that the acts that take the most out of you are usually the ones that people will never know about. I would be surprised if there are people who don't know about you, Officer Cook and the sacrifice you made on behalf of Dade County, Florida citizens. Go to your local library and order a copy of the book titled,"Forgotten Heroes." It's an excellent read and the stories of each officer in this book will make the hair on your neck curl up. All the great blessings of your life, Officer Cook are very present in not only my thoughts, but in your devoted family's, your friends and comrades who went out in the streets with you back then to fight the battle of evil. You were their hero and my you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2013

The universe works with you and for you. it is not your enemy. Police officers make friends and yet as it occurs sometimes in the course of their roles, make enemies in the process. How unfortunate! You, Officer Cook were probably the most likeable officer back then in your department. Friendly to all, you would give the shirt off your back to help someone less fortunate than you. Your youthful appearance, your young age, made you more appealing to most women and your beloved wife, Karen, saw all these qualities and more inside your very special soul. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2013

Occasionally the impossible happens; this is a truism that accounts for much of what we call good luck; and also, bad. The day of your tragedy, Officer Cook, with just five minutes left on your shift before you and your partner of that day, Reserve Officer Scott Lincoln were going to head back to your station house, change and go home, an event happened that forever changed your family's life and your department's rank and file. You gave us a glimpse of the upstanding gentleman you truly were and the superior man of valor and grace who truly personified the ideals of true law enforcement officials. You assisted your friends-fellow officers, saved their lives that they were clinging to on the streets of Liberty City and in the process, gave up yours so they could live. They simply put don't come any more genuine than yourself, Officer Cook. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2013

Luck is not chance, it's toil, fortune's expensive smile is earned. You have every right to smile that beautiful smile down on us, Officer Cook, as white as your teeth were, we can appreciate the greatness bestowed upon you by God. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, you worked very hard to become who you were and your legacy is as polished as your teeth were.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2013

Courage is as often the outcome of despair as hope; in the one case we have nothing to lose, in the other, all to gain. With police work there are associated risks and dangers of the job. Officers put their lives on the line day and night for our securities and safeties. You put your life on the line for us Officer Cook and for this we will be forever grateful. But this was the outstanding character of your persona that took over. You went to a call you did not have to go to, but your instincts and courage were outstanding that day to protect your fellow officers and you are to be commended. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2013

Even the most ordinary life is a mystery if you look close enough. One cannot divine nor forecast the conditions that will make happiness; one only stumbles upon them by chance, in a lucky hour, at the world's end somewhere and holds fast to the days, as to fortune or fame. Back in your day, Officer Cook, you became a police officer because of a special calling you had to make society safer. You certainly did not amass a fortune as police officers were not compensated as they are today. The fame was not as known back then, You did not work to be famous, you worked to make an honest living dedicated to serving the public. Your work, Officer Cook, along with that of your former partner, Officer Keith DiGenova who was seriously wounded the day you were taken from us was recognized by your department and you were both honored accordingly. Officer DiGenova has struggled physically and emotionally and I'm sure it has been hard for him all these years after your tragic loss to come to grips over the events of that fateful day of May 16, 1979 that took your young life away from Karen, your beloved wife, your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, Nancy, your doting sister and the rest of your loving and most precious family members. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero in God's Divine palace where only heroes and heroines lie and their souls hover above assisting with watch of God's golden streets below.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2013

It's a funny thing about life, if you refuse to settle for anything less than the best, that's what it will give you. So true, Officer Cook and every day or night for your career, you only gave Dade County citizens your best, one hundred percent maximum effort. Nothing illusional about your brilliant career. You saved the day and now God has saved a great heavenly reward for you and your comrades who gave up something vital to people succeeding in society, their existences! Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2013

Experience teaches us in a millennium what passion teaches us in an hour. For all your life, you always taught us to do everything in an honorable fashion and then you would reap your heavenly rewards. Now you are Officer Cook, reaping what you sowed and much more can any ordinary person can imagine. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. If you were with us longer there would be more to share and for you to pass on to us, but what you left for us serves as your everlasting legacy.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2013

The world is full of partial stories that run parallel to one another, beginning and ending at odd times. They mutually interlace and interfere at points, but we cannot unify them completely on our minds. Your story Officer Cook, is well documented in the historical archives of Dade County, Florida officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. For all of your twenty-five years of life you had the makings of an excellent police officer. Resourceful and full of pride helping make Dade County streets a little more safer. You fulfilled this part and much more than meets the eye. You truly were a blessing sent to us from God's heaven and now God has taken you back to your eternal home to be reunited with your beloved father, Charles, may you both rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You're truly missed by me and all those so near and dear to you.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2013

Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought. The simplest explanation is always the most likely. You discovered how truly remarkable one could be if you, Officer Cook utilized ingenuity and you did to the utmost to steer you clear of most problems. Clearly you were one of Metro-Dade Police Department's version of the thinking man's police officer. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2013

The past is not only that which happened, but also that which could have happened but did not. Longing is all that lasts. We long to see you, Officer Cook, but we know your soul is stirring up in heaven helping lead us to great avenues for our pursuits. If we could have stopped that awful day from happening, we would have and you would have been back home with Karen. She misses you and I'm pretty sure she thinks of you as does your wonderful family, friends and peers from your department. Regrets are as personal as fingerprints and your loving hands can still be felt touching those officers gently and guiding them to safety each day as they pursue evil in their communities. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2013

Police officers know when they sign on to become officers of the dangers and risks associated with the profession. You knew this my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook. We don't get to choose how we're going to pass, or when, we can only decide how we're going to live. Now. That was your motto of your life. Avery fulfilling one indeed, lived by faith and directed with dignity and grace and this was one of the reasons that Karen married you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2013

An adventure is a transgression you don't regret. As burdensome as the police academy was, I'm sure it had some lighter moments, I don't think for a second you had any regrets about becoming a police officer, Officer Cook. You all the talents, the maturity, the wisdom and wit, all the key ingredients to make for yourself a successful career. Yes at times we could say it's an adventure, but it's how you take what God gives to you and you are able to mold it into something pretty special. You were that kind of individual, Officer Cook. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2013

How can you say luck and chance are the same thing? Chance is the first step you take, luck is what comes afterwards. You changed people's lives immensely by taking chances and by being bold and cunning. This is what helped you, Officer Cook, to maintain your police career with honor and dignity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2013

The past is never where you think you left it and unfulfilled desires are dangerous forces. You followed through on most of your aspirations, Officer Cook, now if only you were here today, the world could witness a truly marvelous and one courage human being. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your past will always hover in North Miami beach, Florida and in the streets of Dade County, Florida where you patrolled them with vigor and vitality.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2013

If you can learn from hard knocks, you can also learn from soft touches. Police officers all have to learn and be disciplined in so many different ways. Sometimes, Officer Cook, it amazing he they each respond to different environments and problems that can crop up from time to time. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2013

The soul is here for its own joy. Your body and brave soul, Officer Cook, combined to form one mighty powerful being in helping to fight crime. For all you produced in this world and of your courage so vital to your tasks at hand, may you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2013

A person's inner sense of self and mission in life directs his choices of what to do and where to go. It is ours to choose between blessing unhindered progressive development; and curse-emptiness, shallowness, worthlessness. through our own free choice, we can create for ourselves one or the other of these alternative conditions. Your life, Officer Cook was a very well balanced one. Your goals were set from a young age until you grew up to become the man you became, the officer you you were and then God took you up to His heaven to be reunited with your beloved father, Charles and your colleagues who sacrificed themselves as faithfully and with distinction as you did. Never to be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 21, 2013

I believe ordinary Council itself becomes an inner process. In a way each person there is alone, looking into the reflections of themselves in the stories, reactions, personalities and spirits of the other people in the circle. It's like sitting in a circle of mirrors and seeing yourself reflected either directly by people giving you personal feedback, or indirectly by associating with the stories and experiences other people are sharing...So ordinary Council triggers the inner work because it's an outer manifestation of the collectiveness of Self. Initiation....leads from one state of consciousness to another...As each state is entered three horizon enlarges and the comprehension includes more, until the expansion reaches a point where the self embraces all selves. If I can sum up this reflection for you, Officer Cook, basically after you learned your lessons being on the force a while, you were able to direct and give positive advice and feedback to other officers and it was very much appreciated by them. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 21, 2013

An honorable human relationship-that is, one in which people have the right to use the word love-is a process, delicate,violent, often terrifying...a process of refining truths they can tell each other. It is important to do this because it breaks down self-delusion and isolation.. It is important to do this because we can count on so few people to go that hard way with us. Once conform, once do what other people do because they do it and a lethargy steals over the finer nerves and faculties of the soul. There can be no reconciliation where there is no open warfare. There must be a battle, with pennants roaring, before there can be peaceful treaties and enthusiastic shaking of hands. We wish on May 16, 1979 we could have had a meeting of the minds, hands in the air giving up, dropping his weapon on the pavement, instead of police officers like you, Officer Cook and your comrades lying there fighting for your very lives and a young man surrendering and being given the assistance he very much needed. But you and your comrades were all heroes and God needed you then to assist Him with the rigors of your job in His glorious kingdom. I change myself, I change the world. You certainly made one gigantic and very important sacrifice most mere mortals would never entertain any thought of doing. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 21, 2013

We are of the earth, made of the same stuff: there is no other, no division between us and "lower" or "higher" forms of being. Nature has been for me, for as long as I can remember, a source of solace, inspiration, adventure and delight; a home, a teacher, a companion. That's what you were to us as citizens of Dade County, Florida, Officer Cook and to your beloved family and friends who truly valued their friendships with you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. nature does not move in a straight line and as part of nature, neither do we.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 21, 2013

Intermittency-an impossible lesson for human beings to learn. How can one learn to live through the ebb tides of one's existence? How can one learn to take the trough of the wave? It is easier to understand here on the beach where the breathlessly still ebb-tides reveal another life below the level which mortals usually reach. In this crystalline moment of suspense, one has a sudden revelation of the secret kingdom at the bottom of the sea. Death, in its way, comes as just as much of a surprise as birth. Your passing wasn't in vain, Officer Cook, but it serves as our "wakeup call" that we need to pay closer attention as you so faithfully did to all the important details of our tasks if we are going to accomplish them in the end. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 21, 2013

Every child is an artist. the problem is how to remain one as you grow up. The imagination needs modeling, long efficient, happy idling, and puttering. You could have been an artist, Officer Cook, and the streets of Dade County, Florida were your easels used to serve and protect its citizens of which you did quite well. There is no love so pure it can thrive without incarnations. As you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, hopefully one day all those who loved you will see you again, glowing in God's ever shining skies.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 21, 2013

In a society that judges self worth on productivity, it's no wonder we fall prey to the misconception that the more we do, the more we're worth. The end of a thing, is never the end, something is always born like a year or a baby. When you fulfilled your duties and made the ultimate sacrifice, Officer Cook, your physical labors in this world were completed sadly for us all, but your eternal journey did just begin and it's a never ending one. A much more difficult assignment to carry out that is for sure, but one that we all know you are up to, Officer Cook. You enjoyed and relished a challenge and now you can rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero and succeed in helping keep peace from those "Golden Streets" in heaven that I just reflected upon.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 21, 2013