Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Out of the night that covers me, black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance, I have not winced or cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance, my head is bloody but unbowed. beyond this place of wrath an tears, looms but the horror of the shade and yet the menace of the years finds and shall find, me unafraid. it matters now how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. Officer Cook, I still wonder in amazement how you brave men and women can function and give the effort, the total package needed to preserve law and order when you sometimes are barraged with different dilemmas with which you have to deal with in a timely manner? Honesty, integrity, durability and clarity become crystal clear when confounded with a task to carry out. You did your assignments well my neighbor, friend and hero and now you can rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 17, 2013

Take this kiss upon the brow! And in parting from you now, this much let me avow, You are not wrong, who deem, that My days have been a dream, yet if hope has flown away in a night or in a day, in a vision, or in none, all that that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream. Officer Cook, you dared to dream as we all do and you realized what hard work, sweat and toil would do for you. It made you a man among men and wiser than most beyond their years. Now we can only stop and ponder what would be if you were here with us today. So much promise, so much love, so much humility to light up an entire banquet hall. But, you know what? You'll never be out of our sight or minds because of your fearless pursuit of justice and equality. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 17, 2013

Careful words make for a careful life; careless talk may ruin everything. You are in for trouble if you sin, but you will be rewarded if you live right. As you grew up Officer Cook, God rewarded you and Karen by giving you new opportunities and open doors. He helped you both attain: self-confidence, overcoming fear, gaining skills, gaining wisdom and knowledge, practicing persistence and perseverance, changing attitudes about failure, getting rid of bitterness, stopping blame, giving up victim thinking, growing in your ability to confront issues in a positive manner, overcoming control issues, controlling anger. You excelled in being calm, cool, collected and most reasonable when dealing with domestic issues, gaining the ability to say no, growing in relationship skills, resolving old hurts and trauma, overcoming depression, I don't think you were ever in this condition, overcoming addictions and compulsive behaviors, overcoming impulsiveness, and giving up wistful thinking. To become the excellent police officer that you were, Officer Cook, your career was propelled by a mix of relentness determination, pragmatism, patience, risk and energy to carry you through your shift. In God's grace He had given both you and Karen the intelligence necessary to make wise life-decisions that would take you up the ladder of success. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Some of those traits listed were things that were both instilled and taught to you and Nancy, that you needed to avoid.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 17, 2013

Be angry and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger. Anger can be so destructive and yet it can preserve good things. We're angry because of losing you in a tragic and untimely fashion and yet we know that God is compassionate and full of kindness a she is slow to anger. He forgives us quicker than the blink of an eye. Officer Cook, your characteristics so closely emulated Our Creator and that was the reason you were able to achieve as much as you did in your years on the force. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 17, 2013

All of us want to feel like we are accomplishing things that matter and to be successful in what we do. But many times we either don't know what we should be doing, how to do it, or how to make it work. The good news is that God has created you for a specific purpose and has revealed the secrets that will help you find that purpose and make it succeed. It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. if you will it to happen it will usually happen. It sure did happen for both you and Karen, Officer Cook. Both of you became accomplished in your professions because of hard work and the perseverance to achieve. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 17, 2013

Solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. be careful who you trust with your heart, your dreams and your very soul. You placed your trust firmly in God's hands, Officer Cook. maybe we could have done something for you so you might still be with us. But the paramedics and doctors did all they could to save you. They worked their utmost. God had plans for you to join Him as another of His True Blue Angels supporting your comrades in this world as you faithful watch along with Our Creator over them. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 17, 2013

This is God's message: Attend to matters of justice. See things right between people. Rescue victims from their exploiters. Don't take advantage of the homeless, the orphans, the widows. Stop the murdering! You championed all these causes, Officer Cook. Your resolve as a police officer was to do as much to make certain they were safe and secure. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 17, 2013

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. if you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get His help and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Life has its twists and turns and can be downright unfair and cruel at times. but we are supposed to trust in Our maker. You did Officer Cook. We still mourn your loss and know you are in a better place in heaven next to your beloved father, Charles. May you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. We must always be careful as trouble chases sinners, while blessings reward the righteous.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 17, 2013

Give yourself to life-enhancing things. As you choose love, health and life, you will not need whatever it was that you were addicted to. Find good community and good support. Find your talents and put them to use. Give yourself to serving God and others. As you get into the good stuff, which is not addicting but fulfilling, you will rediscover your freedom from the things that enslaved you. Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. We can say with most clarity that you accomplished things in your life, Officer Cook, that only made our lives more worthwhile. We are saddened by your tragic loss, but know when the day comes to greet you in heaven again, we will be most happy. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You had hobbies that could be construed as addicting, but to you they were most fulfilling.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 16, 2013

God created us with the capacity and the desire to feel happy. We all want that sometimes elusive sense of well-being that makes us feel that all is right in our world. And while being happy is not God's only or even highest priority for us, he very much wants us to have a sense of well-being-He wants us to be filled with joy, peace and hope. Like so much else in this world, there are laws and principles that govern our happiness. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Your brilliance, Officer Cook, helped us stay happy and healthy. You had officers who assisted you that day and helped the paramedics in trying to save you. You always uplifted the spirits of your friends and neighbors with your infectious sense of humor. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your inspiration remains our motivation and our motivations shall serve as the motivation of us remembering your fine and shining legacy.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 16, 2013

Opening yourself up to the gifts of God means trusting that he loves you and will provide for you. it means daring to be vulnerable with both God and the right people. It often means trusting beyond what you can see. It means believing in the character of God even more than you believe in your desired outcome. God blessings await you. You hold the key that unlocks them: trust. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. seek His will in all you do and he will show you which path to take. Officer Cook, you believed in everything that God had laid out for you during your life. He is the quintessential Creator in all of His plans for us. For the outstanding service you provided Dade County and its citizens and for making the ultimate sacrifice for all, God now holds your very soul under his eternal lock and key. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 16, 2013

Hurry with Your answer, God! I'm nearly at the end of my rope. Don't turn away; don't ignore Me! That would be certain death. Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You. It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek Him. You and Karen sought God at all times to help lead you to positive results. The result of your sacrifice is that your beloved soul can rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero with all your other comrades who stood and faced evil face to face.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 15, 2013

No matter where you are in your faith journey-whether you are just testing the waters to see if there is anything out there worth believing in or you are a longtime believer desiring a richer, more fulfilling relationship with the Creator of the universe- the starting point is always the same. seek. This is where it all begins. Seek and you will find. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord. You sought only to be the the very you could be at whatever profession you chose, Officer Cook. Police work is not for any average person and you made a calculated maneuver to make the world a better place and succeeded mightily Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 15, 2013

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. each day has enough trouble of its own. You handled each day of your brilliant career, Officer Cook, with professionalism, and grace personified. Your sacrifice will always remain in the hearts of your colleagues years from now to share with others. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 15, 2013

The Master said, "What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the mean man seeks in in others." You sought peac eand unity among others, Officer Cook. This is the only realistic way for an officer to function in today's society. You can never go wrong with this approach. For six years this way endeared you to Dade County citizens. Rest in peac emy neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 14, 2013

Human responsibilty is the absolute llaw of God and unless you fulfill it you have no way to get into heaven. As a duty sworn officer, Officer Cook, you took full responsibilities for all your actions. They were the proper and most dignified of them all. You took charge that fateful day of a situation, a disturbance that got out of hand and until your last breath endeavored to pacify an already upset young man bent on violence. Your beloved soul had a role to partake in whatever means you deemed possible to end this incident in a peaceful manner. We as citizens of Dade County could not thank you enough for your consideration and courage to deal with these events on a daily basis. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 14, 2013

Everything is in the hand of heaven except the fear of heaven. Everyone displays apprehension, the one who is able to conquer their fears is indeed a blessed person. Officer Cook, you were this astute officer who uyilized all that God instilled in you to help fight crime and who used your voice to caln a person down. Never to be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 14, 2013

Today in the Vatican City, Officer Cook, the College of Cardinals elected a new Pope. His name is Pope Francis I and he is the first pope of modern times too come from Buenos Aires, Argentina. His name means, poverty, humility and simplicity. You and your beloved wife, Karen championed the less fortunate. You both lived in a humble home and enjoyed the simpler things in life. Let us hope and pray that one day evil can be wiped out, poverty can be eradicated and simplicity can lead us to realize the freedoms we have both physically and spiritually. Your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, God bless her would be very proud of not only what transpired in Rome, but of you, her beloved darling son who fought until the end to wipe out evil and bravely faced this enemy head on. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 13, 2013

As I mentioned before, one tiny turn from good can cause an officer to slide off the proper path that they must maintain, if they are going to remain honest and genuine in their pursuits of justice. You my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook, were able to rule over yourself and always composed yourself with decorum befitting your position. Your beloved parents set rules for you and Nancy to follow and this allowed the two of you to achieve whatever goals you set for yourself in a proper fashion. The Golden Rule in the Cook Household was treat others as you would want them to treat you. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 13, 2013

Quite often, the opportunities to be blessed come our way. Whether it is the mail-carrier or a police officer. Each day those who were privileged to have known you, Officer Cook, were justly blessed. And each acknowledgment and look to heaven may open the door to great salvation and the only thing left for us to do is let those blessings in. We look to the heavens above where you my neighbor, friend and hero are watching over us, your treasured family and comrades who help sustain you in your battles against evil. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 13, 2013

When a person slips up, makes a mistake, being warned or caught before something worse occurs can be one of God's wake-up calls. Officer Cook, you were there to instruct and to maintain a vigil in keeping law and order with the honor and integrity that the position calls for. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 13, 2013

A person Officer Cook, has two inclinations, one good, the other bad. Our ultimate challenge is our bad one, we must stand ready and on guard. My neighbor, friend and hero, you met all challenges that were thrown your way and greeted them with the sheer grace, dignity and will-power to ward off attempts to lead you astray. As difficult a time as police officers have each day on their watch, they must lookout for themselves or a partner and be ready to deal with what comes their way. You achieved that well beyond the call of duty and will never be forgotten. Today, in North Miami Beach, FL where you grew up, I spent quite a while conversing with a policewoman named Officer Murretta Wright and we were discussing the community and we spoke about you and she heard of you and I went on to tell her that our families were neighbors who never had the chance to meet one another. Her supervisor, Major Mark Jeter pulled up and we too were conversing and I was telling him about police work and I too mentioned your name and he remembered you as well. I showed Officer Wright your picture from the ODMP Page that I took on my phone, she realized I was sad, I did not start sobbing like a baby in the street, but she said I had a fantastic memory and was relating this in a phone conversation to my wife, Holly. Even thirty-four years ago, officers still think and fondly remember you and the desire you had to become a great police officer, the best Dade County had on their streets. Hopefully, I'll see them again where I help my wife, who has a childcare business and at the annual Police Memorial Night at Tropical Park in Miami, FL where distinguished heroes and heroines such as you, Officer Cook, are fondly given homage for a job well done and for giving of yourself for our security. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 13, 2013

Your best friend Officer Cook, was your beloved wife, Karen. She was a real soul mate to you. You both comprehended each other needs so carefully and you both could thank Our Creator for bringing you together in the bonds of holy matrimony. You stood by one another supporting each other through action and in endurance. You were the kind of morally righteous couple who accepted and loved each other unconditionally. We all just wish you were here with her today and your lovely family celebrating the holidays and all of your family's milestone occasions. You are in heaven with God's version of a camcorder recording these events for posterity to be shared when you are greeted one day by them. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 12, 2013

Good people suffer many troubles, but the Lord saves them from them all. Friends are God's angels sent to keep you safe. Praise God and thank Him for the wonderful gift of friendship. We can say Amen to that Officer Cook. Your friendship with so many individuals you came in contact with and the friends you and Karen had made during your marriage served you both in good stead. You both put your own well-beings ahead of theirs for a common cause. As a police officer, one is always expected to put their life before a citizen's life and now as you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, you have become an extension of God's love and grace for all as you were for them.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 12, 2013

In police work, working with a partner can have great benefits. First, there are two sets of eyes and ears to see and detect any possible trouble. God blesses you together in love and with joy. The times you worked with both Officer DiGenova and Reserve officer Lincoln, Officer Cook and you may have worked with other officers, goes to show us the reason you were the highly successful and well thought of officer in your department. You can learn each other's strengths and weaknesses and work to improve and better sharpen your skills that feed off of each one. It makes for a bit less stressful time and duress. You spent off-times playing tennis with Officer DiGenova. He stills suffers the effects of being severely wounded in the head, the day you gave your life on behalf of Dade County and its citizens. The grace by which you took Reserve Officer Lincoln under your wings and guidance instilled this confidence in all future officers who joined the department so that if they might be paired with another officer, they would know how to react. I'm sure in your day, Officer Cook, you went out in the field with a Field Training Officer, who could impart their wisdom and knowledge so vital to your effort to make the community a safer one. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Reserve Officer Lincoln certainly learned from the best, yourself, Officer William C. Cook, Badge #1664.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 12, 2013