Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Ritual provides us with a way of taking responsibility for our lives through the use of the metaphoric process. At the time of a milestone or rite of passage, we can shift our focus from the minutiae of the event to the way the experience fits into the grand plan of our life. What is spoken during a ritual has a much greater impact than if spoken in normal space-time. Because of this, choose what will be said and how it will be expressed with great care. You put your responsibilities into practice everyday and that was why you succeeded on the force, Officer Cook. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero and keep up with God's heavenly rituals.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 21, 2013

Rituals are formulas by which harmony is restored. As human beings, we live just this side of an invisible membrane separating our day to day consciousness from the miracle of creation. ceremony, by its very makeup and by the language it speaks, has the power to sidestep our rational minds and to penetrate this membrane, allowing reentry into the Mystery. Each daily act performed with attention and respect sacralized the objects of daily use, so that living itself could become a ceremony. And never one to stand on ceremony, Officer Cook, you achieved honor and created a good name for yourself through deeds and compassion. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 21, 2013

The universe is made up of stories/not atoms. The difference between mad people and sane people...is that sane people have variety when they talk-story. Mad people have only one story that they talk over and over. There can never be a dull moment for a police officer that's for sure, Officer Cook. Sometimes the pleasure you receive from your profession is when you can succeed in qwelling a bad situation. You always gave your best Officer Cook and can never be faulted ever for doing this. What you brought to your department is the legacy that you took to heaven and God clearly sees this when he is judging you for the best. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 21, 2013

We are always afraid to start something that we want to make very good, true and serious. What in your life is calling you? When all the noise is silenced, the meetings adjourned, the lists laid aside, and the wild iris blooms by itself in the dark forest, what still pulls on your soul? in the silence between your heartbeats hides a summons. Do you hear it? Name it, if you must, or leave it forever nameless, but why pretend it is not there? You were certainly not a slacker, Officer Cook and procrastinating was not your custom. But rather boldness and integrity were the symbols that enabled to become the top officer that you were for six excellent years of faithful duty to all. Next week at The Dade County Police Memorial at Miami's Tropical Park, we will gather to remember you and your fallen colleagues, nearly thirty four years after your tragic passing. If I see your family members it would be great, at least I can be comforted by their presence, as your very soul will hover overhead as the helicopters will do flying by. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 21, 2013

There is an "allness" to community. It is not merely a matter of different sexes, races and creeds. It is also inclusive of the full range of emotions. Tears are welcome, as well as laughter, fear as well as faith. These emotions were a part of your make up, Officer Cook and it helped to get you through your days and nights on the department. You were ever the optimistic person who knew through hard work and many hours dedicated to your studies that you would truly become the man who made his parents and sister and wife very proud, but also the loyal and honorable public servant of the citizens of Dade County, Florida. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 21, 2013

Fallen Heroes: From the time I was conceived, God had a plan for me. He wanted me to get involved to help my fellowman. I know some were against it, but God knows what is best. Now that I'm at home with Him, I have perfect rest. Heaven is so beautiful, I'm walking streets of gold. Now that I'm serving others, including saints of gold. I know some still have anger about the way I died, but God sees and bottles every tear you cry. As difficult as it may be, please don't hold a grudge. remember this my loved ones, God alone will judge. Then on that resurrection day when all the dead will rise, the Lord will reunite us together in the skies. Soon we will be together, never more to part, until then just remember I'm as close as your heart. You surely are, Officer Cook, but when can still be a bit downtrodden over your until passing. But until then, you are with your beloved father, Charles, may you both rest in peace, my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 21, 2013

Trusting our intuition often saves us from disaster. Crazymakers are those personalities that create storm centers...Charismatic but out of control, long on problems and short on solutions. Crazymakers like drama. Police work can be dramatic and have many tense moments. Just ask the men and women of the police departments of the State of Massachusetts who captured a second bombing suspect and killed the first suspect. They were brothers who for some unknown reason wanted to take innocent lives at the Boston Marathon Race on Monday and tragically killed three people including an eight-year-old boy. How sad! You had to deal with a sad episode nearly thirty-four years ago that took your life and nearly that of your comrades. But you showed moxy and resourcefulness in handling the rigors that your profession demanded. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2013

For someone who has taken this journey to the realm of death itself, there is a coming back to the world with gift-bestowing hands. There is a real understanding of oneself, not as a small separate struggling person, but as a part of this whole mystery. There is a breakdown of separateness, a wholeness. You indeed were a brave young man, Officer Cook, to have looked certain imminent danger directly in th eeye and not flinch. Ordinary people could not have done what you did and you outshined them all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2013

There is no one but us. There is no one to send, nor a clean hand, nor a pure heart on the face of the earth, nor in the earth, but only us, a generation comforting ourselves with the notion that we have come at an awkward time, that our innocent fathers are all dead-as if innocence had ever been-and our children busy and troubled and we ourselves unfit, not yet ready, having each of us chosen wrongly, made a false start, failed, yielded to impulse and the tangled comfort of pleasures and grown exhausted, unable to seek the thread, weak and involved. But there is no one but us. There never has been. There has not been many officers such as yourself, Officer Cook, who would answer a call not mandated upon them. Your took the onus and went to that scene hoping to change the end result because this was something of which your excelled in doing. Your fine character and highly trained skills were severely tested to the maximum that day and you passed with flying colors. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You made believers of your superiors even though they did not need much proof of your heroic actions as they knew full well the type of officer that they had in their ranks.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2013

As soon as we believe in our vision we find ourselves attracting the worldly "nutrients" we need to have our mental seed grow to fruition. Manifesting a vision is not static and definitely not linear; rather, it is an organic process of adapting and changing as we interact with many unknowns. A seed planted in the ground automatically adjusts as it interacts with rocks, roots, poor growing conditions, infertile soil and so on. This the way of growth and manifestation. You practically trusted your instincts, Officer Cook and more often than not you came out in very good shape. You handled the situation that day accordingly and your courage was outstanding to help protect your comrades. The seeds of your legacy were already plante din your loved ones and their extended families and they are sure to grow and all their dreams and aspirations will reach fruition. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2013

Commitment is the willingness to stick with your vision throughout the inevitable ups and downs that occur. It is up to us to re-enchant this planet earth. Your commitment to your community, Officer Cook, demonstrates to us your undying devotion to serve, defend and protect no matter the price that one may have to pay. You were empowerd on May 16, 1979 to be a bold participant, rather than a bystander who come easily have just let the call go and return to your stationhouse and go home. That wasn't the Officer William C. Cook, Badge#1664, that Dade County citizens came to know and appreciate. That just reinforced your quality of character, faith and devotion to duty. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2013

Truth is the only safe ground to stand upon. The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it emotionally. The moment one definitely commits oneself then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help that never otherwise have occured. A whole strem of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man would hav edreamed would come his way. The truth shall set you free. And because of the righteous life you led, Officer Cook, may you rest in peace, my neighbor, friend and hero. The ground where you lie is holy and may never be disturbed as your cherished soul hovers above it protecting all people from harm.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2013

Nothing strengthens the judgment and quickens the conscience like individual responsibility. Co-dependence is taking someone else's temperature to see how you feel. When death nears, the co-dependent sees someone else's life flash before their eyes. I do know Officer Cook, when your other colleagues got the call and went to the scene, you were already taken to the hospital, where despite the great efforts of the emergency room doctors at North Shore Hospital, they could not save you. A Detective Blocker shot and killed the young man who callously took your life. You gave your all and will be remembered as a hero. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2013

With the gift of listening comes the gift of healing. Some wounds can never be healed Officer Cook. Your tragic death still and will forever leave a gaping hole in the hearts of your family, friends and peers, but you can be sure we know where you loving spirit is. It's when we do not listen and pay attention fully to each other, when we don't fear the Spirit within others that's trying to talk to us, we then destroy the connection that wants to be made between Spirits. May you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero and one day greet us all with your loving embrace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2013

The purpose of ritual is to wake up the old mind, to put to work. The old ones inside us, the collective unconscious, the many lives, the different eternal parts, the senses and the parts of the brain that have been ignored. Those parts do not speak English. They do not care about television. Biut they do understand candlelight and colors. They understand nature. You understood what you were undertaking, Officer Cook and you gave your job a fulltime everyday commitment, something that is lacking in some officers today. How sad! We're sad over losing you, but we do know that you are keeping the watch ongoing as you help God help others in doing fierce battle over evil. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2013

There are many, many gates to the sacred and they are as wide as we need them to be. The gates to God's glorious kingdom where you, Officer Cook and your comrades of the past are now residing are always wide open so your very special souls can travel far and wide as you survey the comings and goings of this land. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2013

Conflict begins at the moment of birth. I think the reward for conformity is that everyone likes you except yourself. Your loving family, friends and colleagues past and present revere you, Officer Cook for the job you performed so well under dangerous conditions. You brought honor, integrity and dignity to your department and this is what is expected of the men and women of the Metro-Dade Police Department and what we would relish from its heroes who laid their very lives on th eline for our securities. There can no conflict, either you conform to rules and regulations or you can look for anothe rline of work. You seized the opportunity to make a better lif efor both you and Karen and you never let her down, as she supported you and you supported her in her nursing career. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2013

Someone to tell it to is one of the fundamental needs of human beings. First you were a gentleman and next you were a police officer of the highest caliber whose mannerisms endeared to the citizens whose lives you protected. Now as our guardian angel, keep our ideals and goals on a straight path to achieving them. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2013

Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. You can see that when you think how the friends that really listen to us ar ethe ones we move toward and we want to sit in their radius as though it did us good, like ultrviolet rays. Officers need to be great listeners and you were there Officer Cook to listen, observe and try to bring a peaceful solution to a person who strayed from the path. It's tragic he was bent on shooting officers to accomplish his plans which awry. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero and be there for us when we need you to lend an ear.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2013

To voice something you're feeling and put observations into words with another person who is totally present is a creative act of embodying soul and love. To love and care for you, Officer Cook, is something mighty special. To remember your unselfish act of heroics is what makes officers like you special. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2013

Methods and means cannot be separated from the ultimate aim. Your aim, Officer Cook was to prevent evil and you were most successful in doing so. It's still really a crying shame that young man had thought before he reacted as he did. You're still our hero and the uniqueness and style you exhibited in carrying out your assignments won't go without notice. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2013

Every blade of grass has its Angel that bends over it and whispers, "grow, grow." let us bless the flow of life/ that revives us, sustains us and brings us to this time. Everytime I visit your grave, Officer Cook, the memories keep coming back of that fateful day. You delivered quality and dedicated service to so many and are revered by so many. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2013

The greatest gift we can give one another is rapt attention to another's existence. We should give you more honor, Officer Cook, than you deserve. After all, you went way beyond the bounds of duty and your were a true blue hero to us. never to be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2013

We don't need someone to show us the ropes. We are the ones we've been waiting for. Deep inside us we know the feelings we need to guide us. Our task is to learn to trust our inner feeling. You trusted your instincts, Officer Cook and even on May 16, 1979, a day all Dade County officers will remember, your instincts served you well as you saved four of your comrades from certain death and the two civilians. We went out of our minds hoping to revive you and keep you with us, but Our Creator had other plans and now you serve an even greater role, to help watch over your comrades in this land who do battle with evil daily. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2013

No one can organize your perception of God better than you can. Your own sense of ritual and theater can mark each day, as well as special occasions with the celebration of Spirit. Ritual infuses your life, but the litergy comes fromwithin. Your body prays in its own ways, your alyar is a moveable feast of images and settings. Your life, Officer Cook was marked by happy events and now that you have given your life on behalf of your community, we should always pause to look back on an outstanding life and many career accomplishments. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 20, 2013