Metro-Dade Police Department, Florida
End of Watch Wednesday, May 16, 1979
Reflections for Police Officer William Coleman Cook
I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His spirit. Then He will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high and how deep His love is. may you experience the love of Him, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish indefinitely more than we might ask or think. As you lived Officer Cook, as you matured and then became a police officer, as you were going through the process, you placed your entire being and trust in God, who helped steer you through the toughness of your profession. Police work is not an easy task by any means, it takes all the physical prowess and mental aptitude one can muster. I salute you and all the other men and women of law enforcement who willingly accept these challenges that ordinary people would not tackle. Your fortitude, bravery and courage will outshine all others as your legacy forever more. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 19, 2013
It is love that asks, that seeks, that knocks, that finds and is faithful to what it finds. To find you Officer Cook, we know where you are and your soul hears our prayers and the message in which they are conveyed to you. You sought peace at all costs and were not afraid totally of what might happen. You and your fellow comrades all are aware of what that cost may be and your courage will never go unrewarded. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 18, 2013
I am going to explain this next saying after reflecting, because I don't want people reading this to possibly take it out of context. A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree. The branches of you tree Officer Cook, are well spread out across your family. You lived a humble life, the home you were raised here in NMB and the one you and Karen lived in Norland were humble and I would say not extravagant, meaning you lived according to your means. You both worked long hours and your position was one of possible danger at any time, but you and Karen knew that this was what you desired to become. She always loved you and cared for you and after your life was taken, it was very difficult for her I'm sure, a young woman, a young wife without the love of her life, her devoted husband, Officer William C. Cook. Your soul flourishes in all your loved ones and their pursuits and this would make you both happy and proud of them. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your life Officer Cook gives us all the meaning and reason to really dream big and pursue what you really want to get out of life in a fitting and proper way.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 18, 2013
The rewards of love are always greater than its cost. Because you loved doing a job with passion, Officer Cook and for what you went through to achieve success on a higher level than most achieve, now comes God who is uplifting your soul to a height we will never fully comprehend. You devoted many long hours, days, nights, sunny, cloudy and downright dismal times to provide us with that ray of hope and that was to be able to live unafraid and to pursue our dreams of which you were able to make something wonderful of yourself. The cost of a life, to say the least one cannot place a value amount on it. You just have to try and know the person who gave up their existence, so you could go on living and aspiring just as they so faithfully did. I did not know you personally, but I feel in my heart by meeting your nephew, Justin and your niece Gina, and of course receiving a lovely letter from your beloved mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, that I can say I kind of knew the quality individual you were and the value you had in this community. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. North Miami Beach was very blessed as was the Norland community to have had you in their midst for as long as you were there.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 18, 2013
When faithfulness is most difficult, it can be most rewarding. True living presupposes the love of God; indeed, it is itself a true love of Him in the highest form. Divine love, enlightening our soul and making us pleasing to God, it is called grace. Giving us power to do good, it is called charity. When it reaches the point of perfection where it makes us earnestly, frequently and readily do good, it is called devotion. Officer Cook, you and your fellow comrades who all made the ultimate sacrifice above and beyond duty all share these tremendous characteristics. The rewards are endless. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 18, 2013
Regardless of whether we feel strong or weak in our faith, we remember that our assurance is not based upon our ability to conjure up some special feeling. Rather, it is built upon a confident assurance in the faithfulness of God. We focus on His trustworthiness and especially on His steadfast love. If we focus on what we really need to hone in on, Officer Cook, then we can truly accept that your life really had meaning and be able to try to accept that God had plans for you that most would not understand. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 18, 2013
O God, creator of light: at the rising of Your sun this morning, let the greatest of all lights, Your love, rise like the sun within our hearts. Let your soul Officer Cook rise one day and for us to see it once again fully glowing. Keep watch over us every moment and guide our steps in a most just and proper way. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 18, 2013
May they who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength. As you personified, Officer Cook, may we too go from strength to strength. Unity and good health, peace shall always prevail. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 18, 2013
He paints the lily of the field. Perfumes each lily bell; If he so loves the little flowers, I know He loves me well. We all loved you well, Officer Cook. The aroma of your daily profession will always stay with us forever, it won't disappear. You'll always by cared for and whatever needs to be taken care of will be done in your name. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 18, 2013
His tenderness in the springing grass, His beauty in the flowers, His living love in the sun above- All here and near and ours. This is what you appreciated Officer Cook, when you went out into the field to take pictures of nature at its finest. The beauty that sometimes we all take for granted. I'm sure as devout as you and Karen were, you both never took life or anything for granted. The times you spent together were well spent indeed. Just wished you could have been here longer, but Our Creator had other spiritual plans for men and women like yourself who are special in the things they do to accentuate safety. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 18, 2013
Our Creator would never have made such lovely days and have given us the deep hearts to enjoy them, above and beyond all thought, unless we were meant to be immortal. Obviously no one is beyond life, meaning no one is Godly. God gives us life, takes that very life He gives, and yet our souls as does your very special soul, Officer Cook, stay up in the heavens above watching over us and keeping us on our toes. It instills in us the reasons why we must follow a proper course in all we achieve. This is why you were successful as a police officer. The righteous life you lived was your identification and this can never be taken from you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. We do come closer to God by trying to obey His commandments
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 18, 2013
Blue skies with white clouds on summer days. A myriad of stars on clear moonlit nights. Tulips and roses and violets and dandelions and daisies. Bluebirds and laughter and sunshine, Easter and Passover. See how he loves us! The day you gave your life, Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero was a sunny and pleasant day. Warm to say the least. Interesting as I'm sure you know that your holiday of Easter and the holiday of Passover the I celebrate along with my family brings our faiths together in unity and peace. Good will still needs to occur for the holidays to be observed with a real feeling of warmness, sharing and caring for all. Our faiths bond us together, they serve to enlighten us. Rest in peace.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 18, 2013
Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend. If only that day, Officer cook, you could have persuaded that young man to come with you peacefully, you would have probably turned his life around, at least assisted him in that manner. Your performance on duty was scintillating and for what it is worth, you did as you were trained and your bravery will not be lost in your sacrifice. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 18, 2013
Our sweetest experiences of affection are meant to point us to that realm which is the real and endless home of the heart. The affection you showed to us and all the love and caring you gave back to the community of which you took an affirmation to server should never be forgotten. The most wonderful times that your family and you, Officer Cook, spent together will I'm certain always remain an integral part of their lives. They can look back and I'm sure they do look back and a host or flood of memories all come to mind. You were always there for them and they know it. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your heart was not only the most pure and endearing part of you, everything you accomplished brought you closer to all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 18, 2013
A good friend will sharpen your character, draw your soul into the light and challenge your heart to love in a greater way. A truly loyal and close personal friend to all, Officer Cook, as it says on your headstone, "There is no greater love than one who gives up his life for his friends." This is true friendship and exactly what we are missing by your absence from us. But we know you are with us in spirit and your soul is constantly surrounding us. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The loss of a dear loved one serves as a motivating factor to challenge our minds and bodies in all that we achieve daily. It's what you, Officer Cook would have wanted.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 18, 2013
Friends are an indispensable part of a meaningful life. They are the ones who share our burdens and multiply our blessings. A true friend sticks by us in our joys and sorrows. In good times and bad, we need friends who will pray for us, listen to us, and lend a comforting hand and an understanding ear when needed. You were that special kind of gentleman, Officer Cook. Our world sorely mourns your loss these past thirty-three years and what it is missing since your tragic passing. Your in heaven listening, writing and keeping records of what we are doing and grading us to see if we are meeting the expectations that you set. My spouse is my best friend and I'm sorry until this day that we never had the opportunity to meet and become great friends. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 16, 2013
Whoever loves pure thoughts and kind words will have even the king as his friend. I'm sure Officer Cook, you met and befriended important people, maybe even guarded them. Your pureness was comparable to honey, it just pours out and is spread all over. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 16, 2013
By friendship you mean the greatest love, the greatest usefulness, the most open communication, the noblest sufferings, the severest counsel, the greatest union of minds of which brave men and women are capable. Officer Cook, God has definitely gathered a grand collection of this world's brightest and most articulate and astute minds when He called all of you up to unite forces with Him. He make plans for us all and the eternal friendships you have forged with your fellow comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice as you did are certainly bonded forever as this cannot be broken. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero and help these bright minds and intellects extinguish the evil in this society, that is burning out of control. We greatly honor you and would appreciate all your assistance in this urgent and pressing manner.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 16, 2013
To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything. He has given us-and he has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a gift of grace. God shines His everlasting grace on your soul, Officer Cook, making it as big as a hot sun. When troubles seem to weigh us down, we should contemplate all the good you did in this world and how you made this land a better place for those to live and to love. Your company is truly missed by all and we know we'll meet up someday soon. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 16, 2013
We also have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out His love to fill our hearts. He gave us His love through the His Holy Spirit and this is what we rely on daily. The results you garnered from your job, Officer Cook, were based on the above criteria. It is the only way you could have survived and maintained optimism in getting the job done right and properly as so far as honor, dignity and integrity were a large portion of how a police officer conducts their daily affairs. You can never be sure how an ending will be, but if you approach a problem with optimism rather than skepticism, I would say nine times out of ten, the results will be positive. I'll always admire the way you were raised and how you befriended people on and off the job, as well as how you maintained yourself professionally. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. No one can ever promise a bed of roses, sometimes the thorns can prick you, it's how you pick up yourself and move on the next challenge.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 16, 2013
Nothing can separate you from His love, absolutely nothing....God is enough for time and God is enough for eternity. God is enough! Your life Officer Cook was one that was well lived, well traveled and a life that was appreciated by the many who paid tribute to you at your Inspector's Funeral. Was it enough? No, but the years of one's life are more crucial and critical as to how they used their time. Was it used wisely? Yes in your life. How were they spent with your loved and spouse? Well spent and utilized for as much positive situations as most are. You deserved as do all officers who give their lives, a better fate. We know God has certainly assembled a top notch, "Thin Blue Line" of true heroes and heroines such as yourself, Officer Cook to help Him maintain law and order down here on earth. Your comrades are counting on your heroism and eternal loving care to see them through the rough patches that they experience. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 16, 2013
Can anything ever separate us from God's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?.... No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through God, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither fears for today nor worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from god's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in us as God's children. Nothing can separate your soul from us, Officer Cook, over all the victories you gained in attempting to serve and protect us from harm. Your courage ranks right up in the stratosphere and you'll always be considered "Our True Blue Hero." Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Nothing can torment us as long as you Officer William C. Cook, Badge#1664 watch over us forever.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 16, 2013
God loves us for ourselves. He values our love more than He values galaxies of newly created worlds. God orders the constellations in their order in the skies and Officer Cook, you are now part of His celestial galaxy. Your father Charles, may he rest in peace as you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero are probably having many good discourses about everything from sports, to the weather, to your family.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 16, 2013
To lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands Because you listened and obeyed God's words, Officer Cook, you are now being rewarded for giving of yourself and displaying characteristics that mere mortals do not display too often. You expose yourselves to evil each day and we never know what the day brings until you can arrive home safe and sound at the end of your shift. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 16, 2013
God already loves us as much as an infinite God can possibly love. God loved you Officer Cook will all His special qualities, the ones he passed on down to you and now you pass on to us from the heavens above. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 16, 2013
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