Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time; repetitive, loveless, cheap relationships, emotional garbage, frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness...all consuming-yet-never satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives;small-minded and lopsided pursuits... uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions... I could go on... If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom. But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard-things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. As long as this may be Officer Cook, one has to bear in mind you were a beautiful and loving gentleman, a kind hearted soul who would do anything to enhance others lives. Now that you are in heaven resting in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, you can keep a close eye on what is going on down here on this earth. The world today has changed a lot since your tragic passing, you wouldn't believe. For what it is worth, let us hope all the changes are positive and people can lives their lives the way God intended for them to live. As a police officer, your job was to serve and protect the public with decorum and ethics, of which you so dearly excelled. You were able to take control of dilemmas by being even tempered and not letting your common sense run wild. You were the captain who could steady the ship and make things right. Your commitment was one of basic experience and being taciturn, unless you needed to address a problem. The legacy you created is for all to view and you will not be forgotten.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2013

Our goodness rests solely on the fact that God in His incomprehensible goodness has bestowed his love upon us. God does not love us because we are so valuable; we are valuable because God loves us. Officer Cook, you and Nancy were taught by your parents at an early age to respect everyone and as you matured and got older this way the characteristic you so exemplified never left you. Your calling was your value to us and your community you so loyally served. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2013

I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things in God. You prayed Officer Cook for only good things to happen as did your wife, Karen. Your family was devout, the friends you became familiar with all loved being around you. You had a knack for lightening up the atmosphere. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and your absence from us makes us more aware that what you stood for, meant plenty to all who knew you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2013

Love is an action-it means doing, serving, giving. If all the love you showed us could bring you, Officer Cook, back to us we would be elated to the max. But you were that deserving, caring and giving person who gave up your life so others could continue on in their pursuits. You would really be proud of your loving family, as they would be and are of you so help me God. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2013

A good deed is never lost, he who sows courtesy reaps friendship and he who plants kindness gathers love. A person reaps what they sow. And so, my neighbor, friend and beloved hero, Officer Cook, you planted the seeds so your family and its future generations will now have something exciting to go forward with. Your everlasting memory will surely serve them well in their endeavors. Rest in peace. God's keeping all the goodness you represented in this world and looking out after it as sure as he has you cradled in His loving embrace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2013

All the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a simple lovely action. For all the charm you brought to this world, Officer Cook, I still can't fathom a plausible reason why your life was taken. Yet the sacrifice you made on our behalf will never go away. The memories are still as numbing today as they were almost thirty-four years ago. Your life was one of synchronization and of rationale, where everything you set a goal to achieve was met. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2013

I left out a key word in another reflection and that was we. What could we have done so that no harm would come to you? True gratitude, like true love, must find expression in acts, not words. The grace under stress that you, Officer Cook, endured on your last watch, left quite an impression on me. To see a problem and to go to a scene not being mandated to go, shows me the value and caliber of police officer that you, Officer William C. Cook were. You did not pay lip service to those you protected, you actually when called upon, did something to bring a better outcome to the forefront. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2013

True love possesses the ability to see beyond. In that sense we might say that love has X-ray vision. It goes beyond mere words. It sees beneath the veneer. Love focuses on the soul. Love sees another's soul in great need of help and sets compassion to work. Your visual perception Officer Cook, was well beyond your age. The manner with which you honed in on a problem more often than not suggests, you were able to come to a peaceful outcome. Brevity in police work is frowned upon, so the kind nature of your being meant you were able to help others more than to hinder them. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2013

I think in this last reflection, I meant to say, there were plenty of ways in which the way you conducted your police business was compared to a sweet smell of a fruit. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2013

Love is a fruit in season at all times and within the reach of every hand. The plenty ways Officer Cook, of your magnificence are like your performance that enabled us to be safe and sound. You are sharing the fruits of the after life with your father, Charles in God's hand. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2013

You. O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love and you never, never quit. Sums up your life and accomplishments to the tee, Officer Cook. You keep resting in peace my neighbor, friend and hero and maintain you eternal love for us as we go about our daily chores living and loving others as you so wonderfully did.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2013

Love him totally who gave Himself totally for your love. This is an important lesson in life, Officer Cook, that you so bravely imparted on others. You treated everyone kindly and with the benefit of doubt. You ranked at the top of your department in all areas and aspects of quality and dedication. All for one and one for all. Loved and missed by all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2013

I may speak in different languages of people or even angels. But if I do not have love, I am only a noisy bell or a crashing cymbal. I may have the gift of prophecy. I may understand all the secret things of God and have all knowledge and I may have faith so great I can move mountains. But even with all these things, if I do not have love, then I am nothing. I may give away everything I have and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing if I do not have love. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag and it is not proud. Love is not rude, is not selfish and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth. Love patiently accepts all things. it always trusts, always hopes and always endures. Love never ends. Our fondness and love and esteem for you Officer Cook, will always be there. if would could have done something different that day so no harm would have come your way, we would have tried. The essence of your giving up your being so others could live is the epitome by which we are judged and so too, this is your legacy for future officers to model their careers after. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 30, 2013

When the heart is pure it cannot help loving, because it has discovered the source of love, which is God. The source of all our successes and disappointments is God. You prayed along with Karen, Officer Cook, hoping for positive results. The day God took you, we knew if we prayed that God would help us get through the terrific pain, then we could go on and realize we will soon enough see your soul again. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 29, 2013

Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. There was no act when you went to work daily serving the citizens whom you took an oath to protect. There was no masking, Officer cook, your feelings. All you have to do is try to be safe, use a little common sense and approach each problem as diplomatically as possible and try to get the best outcome. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 29, 2013

Love makes all labor light. We serve with enthusiasm where we love with sincerity. Officer cook, you were distinctly a cut above some officers and really poured your soul into your job. You really enjoyed serving the community and those who knew how you cared showed up at your services in an outpouring manner. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 29, 2013

When we really love others, we accept them as they are. We make our love visible through little acts of kindness, shared activities, words of praise and thanks and our willingness to get along with them. I don't think there wasn't any officer you did not co-exist with Officer Cook, you were beloved by all and thought of this day by all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 29, 2013

Sooner or later, we begin to understand that love is more than verses on valentines and romance in the movies. We begin to know that love is here and now, real and true, the most important thing in our lives. For love is the creator of our favorite memories and the foundation of our fondest dreams. Love is a promise that is always kept, a fortune that can never be spent, a seed that can flourish in even the most unlikely of places. And this radiance that never fades, this mysterious and magical joy, is the greatest treasure of all-one known only by those who love. You were a lover of everything Officer Cook, your family who misses you greatly, friends and colleagues who shared good times and sad moments, will always have a good word to remind them of the essence of your being and why you sacrificed yourself for them. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 29, 2013

As God freely chose to show us his everlasting love for us by offering to take all our flaws, darkness and mistakes into His very compassion and forgive us. God gives life to us each day and when we sleep He takes our souls and judges them and instills new life to us and invites us to believe this truth in our hearts and follow Him into eternal life, then you will be saved. You believed in life after Officer Cook, and now because of the supreme servant you were, your soul is being judged favorably and you'll forever rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Keep watching us and catching us from falling into the snares of temptation. You've earned your keep. now we have to earn ours. You sacrificed your life so that the sacrifices we make will have an even greater affect on others.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 29, 2013

If you have ever: questioned if this is all there is to life... wondered what happens when you die... felt a longing for purpose or significance... wrestled with resurfacing anger... struggled to forgive someone... known there is a "higher power" but couldn't define it... sensed you have a role to play in the world... experienced success and still felt empty afterward... then consider God. Considering your sacrifice, Officer Cook, we should all be glad you were there to love, serve, defend and protect us from evil, Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You are the reason we have to carry on your mission that you fought so passionately for.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 29, 2013

You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives. As long as you lived whether in your church to your fellow congregants or your fellow officers, Officer Cook, you were a major influence in their lives as you were in Karen's life and she was also an influence on her beloved husband, yourself. We can never forget what you so candidly imparted to those who had a thirst for knowledge. Hopefully the lessons of nearly thirty-four years ago are still a part of the Central Division and likewise the entire Metro-Dade Police Department family. My neighbor, friend and hero you helped carry the Central Division. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 29, 2013

If we have been learning to worship God and to trust Him, the crisis will reveal that we will go to the breaking point and not break in our confidence in Him. I don't think for a moment Officer Cook, that you lacked confidence in knowing that God would guide your path through dangerous events. On May 16, 1979, He was still very much with you and your fellow officers trying to get you all through that event that took your life and nearly took the lives of your colleagues. God does have a plan for each of us and that day because of your love of life and the realization that through your heroic effort, you saved the lives of four police officers and two civilians, this will never be forgotten. You acted as a true professional and were an inspiration to the entire force and your community. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 29, 2013

A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles. Your beautiful smile Officer Cook could light up the most darkest hour and your understanding was comparable to a stream of water flowing up a river. Your wife Karen, married you because of all the class and goodness that you represented because of your spectacular upbringing. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 29, 2013

My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, for I am giving you good guidance. Don't turn away from my instructions. You never slighted anyone Officer Cook. You were as solid as a rock when it came to following and leading officers by virtue of your vast maturity. Your father, Charles, my you both rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, always knew how great a son he raised and nurtured with all the good values that offspring ought to have. the same for your sister, Nancy. She and your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook hold you and your father very near to their hearts. I can't imagine you, not being here with them. But they know one day when they cross the veil, both of you will be waiting with open arms to greet them.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 29, 2013

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. Based upon your stellar career, Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero, it's obvious with your infinite intellect which made you wiser than your years, you were able to size up a problem and figure a way to solve it. We know God works in mysterious ways, but for what it's worth, you accomplished much more in twenty-five years than those of us do in a lifetime. You forever will be a shining legacy in your department, the officer who could be trusted in crucial moments. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 29, 2013