Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Some miracles arrive in full bloom and ready for immediate use, while others require careful seeding, a watchful eye and occasional bouts of superhuman persistence. Once you reached your teenage years, Officer Cook, I'm pretty certain you were ready to make the jump to the next level because of your vast maturity. This enabled you to train, learn and absorb what you needed to in order to climb to the next step on the ladder toward your marvelously successful career. Some petals take longer to blossom, but yours my neighbor, friend and hero were ready and willing to freely accept the challenges that lied ahead. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 29, 2013

Just before the sparks of life are extinguished from a candle, the flame dances. It sends a wistful thin smoke line up into the air, where it circles and pirouettes before it vanishes toward the sky. Light a candle and watch that dance, learn about life and its last breaths. I can guarantee that although you may be gone physically from us, Officer Cook, your spirit's lamp has and forevermore will stay lit for future generations and for those officers privileged as you were to work in your department. Every officer of course is different, but if these brave men and women display the characteristics that you so often showed on duty, it will take them a long way down the road of success. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Those last moments of your life were indeed filled with grace, dignity, integrity and much sanctity.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 29, 2013

There may be twists, turns and bends along the way, but all roads eventually lead home. Plenty of them along the way, but for the most part, Officer Cook, you knew exactly how to manage such situations. Now that you are resting in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, you can help Our Creator deal with what all officers have to be able to conquer.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 29, 2013

When two souls are meant to unite, even they cannot stand in the way. How true and now, Officer Cook that you and your beloved father, Charles are together in God's heavenly kingdom, there has to be quite a lot of inspirational conversations that are occurring. Continue to inspire us my neighbor, friend and hero as you both rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 29, 2013

Far louder than anything we can measure are the sound waves transmitted by a mother's love. I know Officer Cook, that your beloved and wonderfully gifted mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, loves her "Billy" as she referred to you in her letter to me, misses you greatly and loved you dearly. You were the apple of her eye and her darling son, so full of passion and bravery, that no one could ever replace your being there for her. You were revered by everyone. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. hopefully, your mother is doing well out in San Diego, California these days at ninety-seven years of age and I will as I have been doing Mrs. Cook, continue to keep you in my thoughts and my family's prayers for continued good health, peace and spiritual prosperity.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 29, 2013

Life is filled with its own instant replays, when the original cast of characters spontaneously reassembles on stage for one last performance. First of all, my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook, police officers aren't just characters, sure you may have some who are funnier than others, others may be more businesslike in their approach to solving crimes. But the message is that everyone has to pull together to make a department run as a well-oiled machine. The streets out there can be mighty unforgiving, unlike a stage, where if something goes wrong, the director can yell "cut." Not so on the streets, officers don't always get second and third chances to make a difference, so using their training and intellect plays an important role. This is how you achieved during your six years on the force. Rest in peace and help God direct His officers safely through their days and nights of their careers. On May 16, 1979, you took your cue and knew what to do along with your partner, Reserve Officer Scott Lincoln.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 28, 2013

No matter how far it seems to go, a circle always returns to its beginning. The cycle we call life always seems to continue for another generation. But your family, Officer Cook, will always continue and never diminish. Your tragic death has left a deep void, but you'll never be forgotten for your desire and commitment to see that peace and tranquility shall forever prosper in this world. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 28, 2013

The heart is directly responsive to our every thought and action. become a person of the heart or at least the devotee of one; or else, you will remain like a donkey stuck in the mud. If one has no heart, one can gain to benefit; in wretchedness, one will be famous in the world. You were all heart and soul, my beloved neighbor, friend and hero, Officer cook. The scoundrel that took your life had no heart. That was part of where this tragedy did not make sense. Why? He had no criminal record and the only thing up until that awful day was for him to desert from the Army. They would have dealt with him and his problem. We need more heroes and heroines like you who display the values from their hearts and souls which help champion peace and unity for all. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 27, 2013

In the void between what you say and what I hear, the soul whispers its own secret messages. Your loving soul, Officer Cook is whispering in our ears sweet words of encouragement, to carry on with our lives by the dignity with which you graced this world with. It's been a deep void your absence, but we have to go on and live our lives by the principles you solemnly defended. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 26, 2013

When friends share their most precious treasures, the universe responds with some of its own. Mistakes are often the garments in which miracles are cloaked. When your loving family and friends sit back and reflect on your most accomplished and fulfilling life, they can't help, Officer Cook, to smile and because of your actions that day you gave up your life, your comrades survived, all because of your unselfishness. Can't say any more than that! Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 25, 2013

Our sincere desire to right a wrong can empower us to scale mountains, cross oceans and create miracles in contemporary times...online. You cannot take back that which is gone. I wish we could bring you back with your family and friends, Officer Cook. I really, really do. But one thing I do know is that by leading our lives with grace personified as you did for twenty-five years, we can show your soul in heaven that your tragic death was snot in vain. They don't make heroes and heroines like you, Officer Cook. You were the epitome of success! Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You were the voice of calm and reason during stormy times. You were the soothing inspiration behind all aspects of your profession.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 25, 2013

That which love embroiders, neither time nor turmoil can erase. We can't erase, blot out that awful day nearly thirty-four years ago when you gave your life for us on the streets of Liberty City in Miami. If there were such a thing as do overs, then of course things most definitely would be different. The fact will always remain constant: your love for others was perpetual and nothing can erase that fact so help us Dear God. A truly amazing man, a very devoted son, an insightful brother, a loving husband, a terrific uncle and one grand great-uncle was taken from our midst as was a valued and much loved, respected and certainly cherished friend to all. Death may take a love done from this world. But their honor, dignity and creativity along with their persona can't be taken. What you sewed into our hearts and minds, Officer Cook, will always stay together for the ages to serve as your everlasting legacy here in Dade County, Florida. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 25, 2013

Like magnets we are drawn to people and places that will complete us in some special way. Officer Cook, you were that magnet who only attracted the finest and most quality individuals. You dared to travel where no one would want to go and offered us a glimpse of your truly devotional personality. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero and when the day comes when we draw closer to your vivid soul, pull us the way God has intended for us to travel on His exclusive spiritual journey.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 25, 2013

The breeze of dawn has secrets to tell you. Don't go back to sleep. You must ask for what you really want. Don't go back to sleep. People are going back and forth across the doors sill where the two world's touch. The door is round and open. Don't go back to sleep. You've earned your eternal rest, Officer Cook. But please know my neighbor, friend and hero that I still regard you in higher circles as does your loving family and peers.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 25, 2013

Everyone has wondrous and not so wondrous events pouring into their lives and may be unaware of them. Some people who misidentify these experiences as pure coincidence, dismiss them as "happenstance," "random," or "just plain luck." We say there is any such thing as coincidence! there are no accidents! These episodes are in fact nothing less than "small miracles," awe-inspiring moments that should be celebrated, lauded and indeed consecrated when they brush against us with their soft angel's wings. These miracles testify to the presence of a Higher Power in our seemingly ordinary lives: these miracles demonstrate the truth that we are all part of a larger organism and somehow interconnected; these miracles illuminate how an invisible hand is always guiding us, gently prodding us toward our destiny. These miracles make us believe that our lives indeed have a purpose and plan behind them. All these miracles that we are privileged to witness in our lifetime, there is no greater phenomenon than the all-powerful, transformative and healing of love. After your life, Officer Cook, that you exemplified in action and good service, we honor you with carrying on with our lives as you would want us to. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your tragic passing serves to reinforce the fact that heroes do exist in our society and it is these great men and women such as yourself this make this world a more beautiful place to reside in.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 25, 2013

What the heart remembers, the mind can never displace. We'll always remember your life, Officer Cook and the vim and vigor and vitality that you brought to modern society, to your department and in making this world a safer place for all to achieve. You'll never be displaced by me and I'm just real sorry we never got to meet one another. You probably would have made me laugh my brains out. We care and I know your family and community care and do take a moment in time to look back on your stellar career with the Metro-Dade Police Department. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 25, 2013

Dear friend: Your heart is a polished mirror. You must wipe it clean of the veil of dust that has gathered upon it, because it is destined to reflect the light of divine secrets. First of all, I will always consider you a dear friend and neighbor, because the letter I received from your wonderful mother, Mrs. Julia Cook was sincere and she considered me this even though our families did not know one another even living around the corner from you. Because I met, Justin and Gina and her wonderful family, I will always consider The Cook Family as my special friends for life. You were that diamond, Officer Cook, who did not need much polishing, because you were a very humble and special person and public servant to Dade County, Florida citizens. We do not know what you are doing in heaven now, but can can surmise that it is pretty special up there and now you are resting in peace with your loving father, Charles, you can interact quite a bit with him and all of your other comrades who loyally served their communities with honor and distinction. Unfortunately, there are officers today who need more than an extra coat of polish on them to straighten them out. How very tragic!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 25, 2013

Since hearing of the world of love, I have given my life, my heart and my eyes this way., at last, I believed that love and beloved are different. Now, I know they are the ame. I have been seeing two in one. Your life, Officer Cook was both a beloved one and the type of individual and police officer that you were and the duties you carried out were not only believable, but unbelievable in the sense of how you reacted that terrible day on May 16, 1979, when you went to assist on a call that you did not have to go to and laid down your valued life and soul for your colleagues and the two civilians involved. It says a whole lot of your quality and upstanding character. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The people you serve always deserve quality and professional service of their officers and you, Officer Cook did not misrepresent your badge. Everything you performed was done with, dignity, honor and integrity.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 25, 2013

I climbed up the plum tree and plucked the grapes there; the master of the garden asked angrily; why are you eating my walnuts? I grabbed a sparrow's wing and loaded it on forty ox-carts. All forty were unable to pull it. So it remained stuck there. The words that God speaks are like no other words. Thus He veils their inner meaning from the closed minds of the hypocrites. Officer Cook, you stood up for a just cause and kept up in its pursuit until you knew it was the right moment to stop and let others take responsibility for their actions. Sometimes officers can serve as advisers and we may not be aware, but you were there for Dade County, Florida citizens and they showed up to pay their respects to you for a job well done. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You were always open-minded when dealing with domestic issues or whatever you had to get a handle on at any particular time. Now that you're in God's beautiful orchard in the sky above I hope you only pick the best produce that God can yield. I know it's only the best where your soul rests.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 24, 2013

If you think the truth can be known from words, if you think that the sun and the ocean can pass through that tiny opening called the mouth, O someone should start laughing! Someone should start wildly laughing-Now! You were known as a happy person, one who could say something funny, Officer Cook and people would start laughing. But, on your job you were obviously a very serious individual, dedicated to weeding out evil. You lived a well balanced life and promoted peace and goodwill among others. You will not be forgotten! Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 24, 2013

I am happy even before I have a reason. I am full of light even before the sky. I can greet the sun or the moon. You grew up in a warm and nurturing home and environment and this is why, Officer Cook you were able to proceed on the path of accomplishment during your twenty-five years of life that Our Creator gave to you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You always were a happy individual and cared very much about the welfare of others and you are dearly missed.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 24, 2013

Know, O beloved, that man was no created in jest or at random, but marvelously made and for some great end. If someone sits with me and we talk about the Beloved, if I cannot give his heart comfort, if I cannot make him feel better about themselves and this world, then quickly run to a house of worship and pray- for you have just committed the only sin I know. The one certain thing we all know is that you always gave a superior effort, Officer Cook and will never be forgotten. Certainly your presence would make our hearts grow much fonder of you, but we know for all your sacrifices, you can know rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 24, 2013

Dear God, As I wake up this morning may Your spirit come upon me. May my heart and soul receive your blessings. May I contribute, peace, serve your purposes. Where my body is broken heal every cell and return it to the right placement. My may mouth speak what you would have me say and may my legs walk only in the direction You will them. take away any pain, sickness and fear. bring a true salvation, the only cure. Bless my holy relationships body to body and from soul to soul. Display love and innocence. may the world retrieve its purpose, the divinity of its mission to reflect and to glorify Your love forever. Send miracles to the war zones and to children who are impoverished. May our waters, grounds, hearts and minds be cleansed and made new. May angels' wings be lent to me, that I might fly above the noise and turmoil of the world. Time and fate have twisted things, help to straighten them out. My body, mind, spirit, love, hate, pain, sorrows, joy, questions, fears, hopes, and my visions I give them all to you. bless the ones who have no hope and show me how to help. Bless all of our law enforcement officials and all fallen officers like you, Officer cook, who stood ready and waiting to make the supreme sacrifice so that our ideals and adventures could be achieved in the name of the Lord. Amen

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 23, 2013

The strongest, surest way to the soul is through the flesh. The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves. But we're not satisfied with what we ourselves have learned about the world and ourselves. We're always waiting for a stranger to come and tell us something more. And 'something more" means "the rest of it," and that's what we need most, we miss it. So, go ahead, stranger!....tell her what she or he is beyond what they already know they are, their lives, their years, their great expenditures of themselves, what of themselves is honey and what is gall on their tongue, the hunger they have and the hunger they see. You can live a lifetime and at the end of it, know more about other people than you know about yourself. We fed our hearts on fantasies, the heart's grown brutal from the fare, more substance in our enmities than in our love. Each relationship you have with another person reflects the relationship you have with yourself. As for me, I know of nothing else but miracles. If only miracles could have brought you back with us, Officer Cook. The honey that dripped off your lips, the way you addressed people is the legacy by which you'll always be remembered, because this is how you were taught by your loving parents. Your marriage to Karen was based on a sacred trust, loyalty and honor as was the friendships you forged at your department. Nothing will ever take away your accomplishments and the accolades this day and forevermore that are due to you for the excellent and outstanding service you provided Dade County and its citizens. You were as we say in Jewish a "mensch." Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. "A Man Among Men" and "A Hero Through and Through."

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 23, 2013

It seems to me we can never give up longing and wishing while we are thoroughly alive. There are certain things we feel to be beautiful and good and we must hunger after them. In the calm water of the love nights, where you were conceived, where you have conceived, a strange feeling comes over you when you see the silent candle burning. No longer caught up in the obsession of darkness, a desire for higher love-making sweeps you upward. Finally distance does not make you falter; flying, soaring, arriving in magic and insane for the light, you are the moth and you are gone. And so long as you do not accept this truth and be willing to die, so that you might live, you will always walk this dark earth a troubled guest alone. There comes a time when we aren't allowed to know. sometimes God's most hidden secrets are the ones best left up to the Creator and when the time is right to know them, then He will tell us in His own way. We have to try and accept, though we don't fully comprehend why, Officer Cook, you were taken from our midst at such a young age. To say "only the good die young" doesn't always seem to suffice for an explanation. Decades after your untimely death, we are still left to ponder these reasons, any plausible reason as to why you left this world. But, decades later, thirty-four years later you're still regarded as a hero and there is no disputing the fact of your unselfish act that saved your fellow officers and those two civilians, one of which was the girlfriend of the young man who took your life. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero and may your beautiful soul soar higher than an eagle.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 23, 2013