Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I am not afraid....I was born to do this. Connections are made slowly, sometimes they grow underground. The need to find meaning...is as real as the need for trust and love, for relations with other human beings. The day you were born, a ladder was set up to help you escape from this world. Let us not fear the hidden. Or each other. It is tragic that some gifts have to be made so costly. Love is short, forgetting is long and understanding longer still. Now for some heart work. We find what we search for-or if we don't find it, we become it. You were born to protect us, Officer Cook and now that you took up the cause of the citizens, you can ascend God's heavenly ladder to His glorious kingdom where perfection can be achieved with your other comrades who like you participated in protecting others and in making this land a safer haven for all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 23, 2013

All our acts have sacramental possibilities. Think of the inside of your house as your soul and the outside architecture as something like your bone structure, your genetic inheritance...Our true home is inside each of us and it is your love of life that transforms your house into your home. You exhibited a genuine love of life, Officer Cook and a passion to want to assist other sin making them feel secure in ho they were. Karen and yourself took the bonds of holy matrimony to a higher level each and every day of your beloved lives. The church where you prayed was an extension of your wonderful home as was the department where you befriended so many officers and personnel from all walks of life. Your senses were keen and nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul. You stressed fairness and justice for all and this was your mantle. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You elevated others by elevating yourself.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 23, 2013

Sorrow fully accepted brings its own gifts. For there is alchemy in sorrow. It can be transmuted into wisdom, which, if it does not bring joy, can yet bring happiness. The only happiness such a tragic event could deliver to us is knowing that the memories are always there to share and we know what your cherished soul is doing at all times of the day and night. Loss as muse. Loss as character. Loss as life. We lost a fantastic person when you departed this world, Officer Cook, but we sure know you are still looking out after our best interests. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 23, 2013

Razors pain you; rivers are damp; acids stain you; and drugs cause cramps. Guns aren't lawful; nooses give; gas smells awful; you might as well live. Officer Cook, if you only knew the suffering that those of us experience over your tragic passing. But we do know we will see you one day in the near future. For now, rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 23, 2013

People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want and if they can't find them, make them. Officer Cook, you never expected a free handout from anyone, God forbid. You were not raised this way, nor was Nancy by your loving parents. I'm sure they worked very hard to assist you and your sister along the way. They made sacrifices to help benefit you. You and Nancy only brought, pride, honor and joy their way and for this you can be sure of the rewards that await you. How very proud your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, must be of you and in her letter to me, stated this. You are missed very much today and as I've said before were the darling of everyone's eye who is now and forever in our hearts and minds to offer a little prayer over. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Through both your hard work and that of your beloved parents you made dreams become reality.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 23, 2013

Every spirit builds itself a house and beyond its house, a world, a heaven. Know then that world exists for you. The world today that we eat, breath, sleep and live in is safer because of heroes and heroines such as you, Officer Cook. From smart, humble beginnings comes greatness and ingenuity. These were some of the hallmarks of your storied police career with the Metro-Dade Police Department. There are homes you run from and homes that you run to. You had three homes in Florida: in North Miami Beach, Florida where you grew up. The second was with Karen in the Norwood Section of North Miami, Florida and thirdly, where you worked as a police officer for six solid years of very credible and honorable service to Dade County and for its citizens. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 23, 2013

The blessings for which we hunger are not found in other places or people. These gifts can only be given to you by yourself. They are at home in the hearth of your soul. You may be gone from us, Officer Cook, but the blessings you so bestowed upon us remain as part of your living legacy, enduring to all. May you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 23, 2013

This the hour of lead, remembered, if outlived, as freezing persons recollect the snow-first chill, then stupor; then the letting go. We let go of you, Officer Cook, physically so your soul could ascend God's heavenly ladder to heaven, but all the wonderful and pleasant memories of your life are always going to be here and shared forever. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 23, 2013

The spiritual journey is one of continually falling on your face, getting up, brushing yourself off, looking sheepishly at God and taking another step. Why indeed must "God" be a noun? Why not a verb-the most active and dynamic of all? Faith is the centerpiece of a connected life. It allows us to live by the grace of invisible strands. It is a belief in a wisdom superior to our own. Your life and that of Karen's, Officer Cook was predicated on one universal and unifying theme, "Faith." never one to lack ideals and beliefs you put God in charge of your valued lives daily and were able to soak up more meaning in why you were motivated to achieve success in your varied professions. It's never too late-in fiction or in life-to revise. You always knew Officer Cook if you took this road, it would lead you to promises beyond your wildest expectations. You were a grand person and are just that in God's kingdom as you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2013

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