Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Goodwill is the mightiest practical force in the universe. Opportunities to express that energy are everywhere. And it was your goodwill and good name, Officer Cook, that brought countless joy and pleasure to all others. Your legacy is forever etched on a marble wall of honor at Tropical Park in Miami with your colleagues who gave their lives as well. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 8, 2013

Love sure is all about life and an endless act of forgiveness. Bitterness imprisons life, love releases it. The first duty of love is the act of listening. Loving can cost a lot, but not loving can cost more. A righteous man such as you, Officer Cook, is cautious in friendship. friendship cheers like a sunbeam; charms like a good story; inspires like a brave leader, binds like a golden chain; guides like a heavenly vision. In a friend you find a second self and two bodies in which a single soul drifts. The reward of friendship is itself. The man who hopes for anything else does not understand what true friendship is. A true friend is like the refrain of a beautiful song. friends help see us through both good and bad times. Friends give value to survival. Two friends are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor: For if they fall one will lift up his companion. Your colleagues helped pick each other up after your sacrifice, Officer Cook. A faithful friend is an image of God. Fate chooses our relatives, we choose our friends. To summarize your friendship with everyone you came across Officer Cook, you truly were well respected and very much loved and we honor your commitment to Dade County and its citizens. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 6, 2013

Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them and they bless you, the giver. You loved everyone Officer Cook, for who they were. Your family, friends, and peers still love and miss you greatly this day and have never forgotten your brave actions on their behalf. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 6, 2013

Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory and wherever you go, go with your whole heart. After what you experienced, Officer Cook, we still can feel the pain and torment and the agony of losing you at such a young age with still all the promise and brightness of your very soul still ahead of you. You had so much more to give back to this community, but you'll never be forgotten for turning a somber day in your department into an upbeat one for saving your comrades and the two civilians who might not be here if not for your heroism. No one can ever come close to the courage and tenacity you displayed on May 16, 1979, ever. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 4, 2013

The fingers of God touch your life when you touch a friend. You touched so many lives in your twenty-five years my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook. It would take forever to count all those so privileged to have made your acquaintance. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 4, 2013

You had a reason to arise like a lion each morning, Officer Cook and this gave you the purpose to succeed as it was one of your principal tasks during your lifetime to discover this purpose in which you firmly planted a foundation. Your spirituality and that of Karen's made your marriage as wonderful as it could be and she knew your service to your community and her service in helping patients feel better would make you better persons for it. Your calling as a police officer, Officer Cook, was the certified reason you could give to yourself without a reservation that created a passionate desire for excellence, to be your best, which you exhibited each moment of your watch. This calling was what you did and more. You took an incredible gift: the power of choice and did precisely as one would do with morals and ethics, differentiate between right and wrong. You and Karen prioritized all your decisions and you both brought not just stability to your home, but the most important asset: Integrity. You both stood your grounds by the honorable methods of your existences and truly enjoyed carrying them out ever so faithfully. Nine core values are central in not just a marriage, but in your chosen endeavors: diligence, team player, hard worker, perseverance, courage, treats others well, patriotism, family closeness and excellence, not just from the lips but by using our bodies properly to do our tasks at hand. Love, joy, peace, gentleness and self-control were also many of the same core values shared by the two of you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Truly par excellence!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 4, 2013

Human beings require stories to give meaning to the facts of their existence. If we could write a book of your wonderful and humble life, Officer Cook, the first place to begin would be with the excellent upbringing you and your sister, Nancy experienced by your loving parents. And then your childhood and your younger days growing up in North Miami Beach, Florida. The progress you gained is the crowning achievement by which you will ultimately will be judged and is the gospel of trying to be a better person and leave the world a better place. Your heavenly reward Officer Cook is this trait as you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero in the palms of God's hands.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 4, 2013

Infinity is a result of a series of finite transactions. To see a world in a grain of sand and a heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour. There is a term"predicate theology", for example, "God is love," "God is truth"-concentrate on the predicate-love, truth-instead of the subject. "God is about love, truth, caring, kindness, compassion, charity and humility." And you displayed and delivered these outstanding character traits not only when with your family, friends and Karen, but on the job too, Officer Cook. This defined your role to mankind and in our society. It's not who crosses the finish line first, but if there was such a thing, you and your comrades who delivered fine service to their communities would be Our True Blue Heroes and Heroines who sacrificed your very beings and souls so we could remain safe. This can be the only real essence to base our reflections of your shining legacies. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You all lived by these high standards and truly deserve all the honors and accolades that should come your way.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 4, 2013

There is one Ultimate Being, the Ground of all essence. The Divine essence is unknowable. God is both immanent, in the sense that He appears in all phenomenal forms and transcendent, in the sense that He is the Absolute Reality above and beyond every appearance. While the forms of the universe change and pass and are simultaneously renewed without a moment's intermission, the essence of the universe is co-eternal with God. We are wired for God: I believe, therefore I am. Only in death does one find eternal life. Only love with no object brings peacefulness. The Divine knowledge is unlearned learning. Enlightenment is not something you achieve, it is the absence of something. Your absence, Officer Cook, is the revelation that you stood for something very sacred: Honesty and Integrity. You embraced your wife, Karen, before you left for work on May 16, 1979, you probably called your beloved mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, to say hello. You carried out your mission and for whatever the reason, God needed a special angel, yourself, to help with His heavenly tasks above. The light in your home never dimmed even after your tragic passing, no my friend, neighbor and hero, it is still lit up after all these years symbolizing your soul that gave its all to keep us united and to help us fulfill our dreams and aspirations. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 4, 2013

Sacred solitude, alone at last. Alone at last, thank God Almighty, alone at last. Various meanings of life emerge from the ascent of Spirit when the bodily houses have no foundation remaining, the faithful remain one soul. Your eternal journey, Officer Cook, will never end, you'll always be moving over us watching to see if we are follow the concepts and precepts that characterized your every living moment. Your cherished soul will forever maintain its immortal continuity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 4, 2013

Enlightenment is simplicity and the simple and humble life you lived with Karen, Officer Cook, could be described like this: I am the wind that breathes upon the sea. I am the wave of the ocean. I am the murmur of leaves rustling. I am the rays of the sun. I am the beam of the moon and stars. I am the power of trees growing. I am the bud breaking into blossom. I am the movement of the salmon swimming. I am the courage of the wild boar fighting. I am the speed of the stag running. I am the strength of the ox pulling the plough. As an outdoors person, Officer Cook, you and Karen I'm sure shared many a time outside in the cool crisp air partaking in God's refreshing sights to behold. Probably a good reason why you were such a compassionate individual. Things don't always need to be so complex on one's life and you were able to refine these sights. rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 4, 2013

Believing in the sacred, believing in unity and believing in transformation are essential components to achieving whatever a person pursues. Do not tell us what it is, but...confirm it is. We have all the confirmation that you were truly a superb person, Officer Cook, humble and lovable who risked everything to keep us safe and secure. We have your memories safely stored within those who you came across and those who followed you into police work. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You helped unity the community you so dearly loved and they will always be forever grateful.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 4, 2013

God has no hands, feet or voice except ours, where spiritual seeds germinate in their own soul. Your voice, Officer Cook, can somehow still be heard far above us in heaven where you and your beloved father, Charles, my neighbor, friend and hero are resting in peace. Since you and your beloved wife, Karen were God-fearing people you both accepted and realized the true value of love, courage, honesty and compassion for others which you brought to both of your chosen professions. If two people were tailor made for each other it was you and Karen. I wished I had the opportunity to meet her as well.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 4, 2013

Transforming passion into compassion, no seed ever sees the flower. But the seeds of your passion, Officer Cook, have taken shape and have become branches of which fellow officers who followed your path into the Central Division, making it one of Metro-Dade County and its department one if not the finest in town. Your brought compassion with a tireless and relentless zeal to work each and everyday and that it why you were so well liked and respected by all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 4, 2013

Do not shed too much light on the soul. One always learns one's mystery at the price of one's innocence. Why bad things happen to good people such as yourself, Officer Cook, will forever be a mystery. You performed your duties above and beyond, sometimes we walk into situations not knowing its final outcome. You answered a call which you had answered many other times during your watch and were able to resolve matters in a peaceful manner. But, your family, friends and peers realize you were there for them and you saved their lives as well as the two civilians lives too. Your heroic actions will always be remembered as you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 4, 2013

Love is celebrating others' differences, confusions and peculiarities without expecting they be like us-normal. Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in. You were that ray of light, that ray of hope, Officer cook, when doom and despair would set in. Your were fully entrenched in your duties and you just loved helping and being there to assist people in their times of need. As we celebrate the wonderful memories of your life and the way you personified a life well lived and full of accomplishment and meaning, let us now pause to reflect on what Officer William C. Cook, Badge#1664 represented in serving Dade County and its residents. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 4, 2013

There is good only because there is bad. Birds make great sky-circles of their freedom. How do they learn it? they fall and falling, they're given wings. That's why they put erasers on pencils. All humans make mistakes. Police officers have sure made mistakes that can lead to all sorts of problems. You, Officer cook, were the shining example of how to deal directly and when needed forcefully to resolve a problem and more often than not were able to reach a happy ending because of the tact you utilized. I was walking along The Snake Creek Canal this afternoon in North Miami Beach and was thinking about you and what you meant to your family and to the community in which you laid down your very being for. What a mensch, translated, what a human being? Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Happy, energetic, intelligent and outstanding in character. This too could be an acronym for a hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 3, 2013

Let them shout for joy and be glad, that favor My righteous cause, yes, let them say continually, let the Lord be magnified in which He has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant. You were God's faithful servant, Officer William C. Cook. Everyone is born with a divine desire to manifest, create, grow and advance. Spiritual wealth+Physical health+peace of mind=Prosperity. One cannot achieve with an attitude of weakness, doubt and fear. because of your humble stature, Officer Cook, this allowed your peers to share their insights and information with anyone willing to learn. When you change your response, you change the outcome. If only we could change one tragic moment, take away one inch and been able to calm down a young man bent on evil who needed help, you would still be here with us. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. Only the good die young. As a rabbi, it still puzzles me what this really means, but the twenty-five marvelous years of your life are left for those who now can look back and reflect on your glowing legacy.God gives officers the intellect to tackle the dilemmas that are placed in their front mirrors and there is a saying: You can't handle a million dollars with a fifty-thousand dollar mind! Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 3, 2013

You and Karen always transacted spiritually with the Almighty and you basically had no fears when doing so. Fear comes about in at least four ways: Minimization- making people feel less about their importance. Exaggeration- Distorting truth and giving up or throwing in the towel before ever endeavoring. Infatuation-to play up the positives and lessen the negatives and finally, Resentment- playing up the negative things about people and blinding us regarding what is worthwhile about a person or situation. During your career, Officer Cook, hopefully you did not come across many officers who displayed these degrees, for it could only lead you or them down the wrong path. Your were a source of inspiration and a breath of fresh air which many departments could surely use or rather breath in this day. Though a person can have healthy fears or apprehensions, you both truly believed in God and your faith was not an illusion, it was your substance and the thing your actually wanted in your lives to motivate and keep you on you toes. Ideas+Faith+Singular Focus=Destiny. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You both had plans to create your goals and never failed in achieving and living up to them. By staying the course, God never let you down. More importantly You Never Let Us Down. The past was a thief because your innocence was taken from you by evil and the future is unknown. Today is a gift-that's why they call it the "present." You were God's gift to this world for twenty-five marvelous years of achievement and glory and those who knew you are truly blessed. Still very sorry I never had the humble opportunity to meet you, but hopefully I can meet your sister on one of her visits possibly with your beloved mother, Mrs. Julia Cook to South Florida.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 3, 2013

Pride is your mind trying to be God. Do that and God will clam up. You'll never hear a word. God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. We all try to imitate God's ways and this is something, Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero you mastered through steady learning. God knew when the time was right for something positive to manifest and it became unstoppable as you were destined to be one of Dade County's best police officers. Metro-Dade's Central Division was sure glad to have an outstanding officer so refined and humble as you, Officer Cook. Your sacrifice on their behalf will never fall under the cracks. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Whatever your innermost dominant thought was focused on Officer Cook, was what attracted you to move toward and accomplish successfully. You were so respected and cherished by all.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 3, 2013

Diligence means you have found something worth focusing on, worth respecting, so you stick with that profession or whatever interests you. You put into practice over a period of time, Officer Cook, much sweat and hard work and invested in a career where people gave you respect as an officer after you worked feverishly to earn theirs. Miracles rarely occur in instants; they take years. It takes the hard work of many officers to earn the respect of your department and yours was achieved over a course of time. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 3, 2013

Ego is like a barrier that prevents God from giving you what you want. There are two kinds of pride: positive pride that refuses to make you fail, helps you take care of your body and drives you to succeed. The negative pride comes when you cannot let go of ego and hand God the tiller of your ship. Officer Cook, you never had this problem because you only believed in teamwork to accomplish your assigned tasks. Together Everyone Achieves More. The acronym for team and the humility that was instilled in you and your sister, Nancy, by your beloved parents allowed God's Divine Spirit to steer your course and that of Karen's in your lives. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 3, 2013

God never raises His voice. You should only have people around you who increase your peace. God tests each object of His creation as well as us human beings in our lives to see if t is an appointment or disappointment. Police officers, Officer Cook, are always under duress and have to endeavor to stay calm, cool and collected when trying to solve problems. This attribute made you the man, the officer you became when dealing with domestic issues and it will not go overlooked. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 31, 2013

Much of what you can achieve depends on who and what you can access. Access to people, power, influence and most important God, determines how far you can go, what comes to you and how hard you have to work to manifest what you want. When you make connections between people without worrying about reward, more connections will come back to you. If the Lord is not working with you, you are working against Him. I don't think for a moment, Officer Cook, you would not succeed and judging by how your wonderful family describes a beautiful person such as yourself, it's no small wonder you were greatly accomplished in your professional life. Your courage is to be commended. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 31, 2013

You won't be filled by God until you are hungry. As long as you search for what you want outside yourself, your journey will not end. Spirit is the essence of everything and inspiration means "in spirit." You had a hunger to always learn more on the job, Officer Cook and this is what made you uniquely special to your peers and to the citizens you so bravely protected. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 31, 2013