Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To attain the level of trust that everything is for the best, we must learn that own path in life has been predetermined by God. You came into this world Officer Cook to perform a mission and achieve in making the world better. You succeeded beyond imagination and we are all better and safer because of the sacrifice you made. You performed your duties under unavoidable tough times and yet we have to trust in God that what happened to you on May 16, 1979 was God's will and you were not the kind of police officer to shirk away from difficult situations. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Let us see if we are up to the challenges that lie ahead.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 3, 2012

How can one be both a stranger and resident in the world? The answer is as follows: God is saying if you feel too comfortable in this world, too much like residents, I will be a stranger to you. But, if you do not feel entirely at home in this world, if you feel a bit like strangers yourselves, i will be a resident-I will dwell among you. I know Officer Cook, you took nothing for granted from the day your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, gave birth to you, until that very tragic day of May 16, 1979 when you sacrificed your life in the performance of your duties. You enjoyed every minute of being a loyal, honorable and dedicated Metro-Dade Police Officer. You placed every ounce of ability on the line for your community and the safety of its citizens. Police have to deal with all kinds of conditions as well as people they encounter and are very well trained in such activities all throughout their careers. You performed under stress and were the epitome of calm during tense situations. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, you fulfilled our expectations and realized and reached your goals and were God's ever faithful and devoted servant. Your legacy is forever sealed and you will never be forgotten by myself, your family, friends, colleagues who loved serving along side with you.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 1, 2012

The virtues of trust are so vast that they defy description. Trust is the root and foundation of a person's task in this world. As such, every one of us needs to reinforce their trust. By strengthening our trust, we perfect our character. This trust is the spiritual vessel for Divine abundance, invoking the best blessings of health, personal welfare and livelihood. This trust is a mighty spiritual force. With simple and pure trust, one longs for a greater connection to God, and rises to higher spiritual heights. This trust is the foundation of holiness, and one who attains this trust achieves a purification of the soul. This brings a person such as yourself, Officer Cook, to the level of true patience, composure, and inner peace: in the context of such an emotional climate, you were able to maximize you intellectual and functional potential to the hilt. That fateful day of May 16, 1979, when emotions were running high, you and your colleagues tried to deal with a situation in which a gentleman was holding his girlfriend hostage and to defuse the strife, you just wanted him to drop his weapon and to surrender peacefully. Unfortunately, this did not happen and you and your fellow officers had to resort to using your weapons. You battled evil face to face, and in the end gave all that you had to attempt to calm down and silence the aggressiveness that was perpetrated upon you and your colleagues. You gave one hundred percent and did your duties as you were so diligently trained to carry out. The twenty-five years of your cherished life were so blessed with this trust and not only that, but spiritually speaking, you were able to comprehend the rationale behind the events not only with what you were dealing with that day, but other times when your calming influence and demeanor was necessary to help assist others. Your perfect soul my neighbor, friend and hero should rest in peace and give others the ability to trust in God who guides our comings and goings.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 1, 2012

Faith will not make the world right. Faith cannot guarantee that its adherents will be good, unswayed by anger or hate, lost in a mist of kindness and prayer. It does not eradicate conflict or eliminate pain. Faith can alter vision. But God can touch a life. Officer Cook, God certainly touched your precious life in many ways, as he did with your family. For many who suffer a tragic loss of someone they loved, this can be very difficult to deal with emotionally. For the last thirty-three years since you gave your life to protect and defend not only your colleagues, but the citizens of Dade County, I can say its probably been difficult in dealing with your loss, the gaping hole your passing left. You were so loved and adored by your parents, sister, Nancy, of course your lovely wife, Karen and all who came in contact socially and professionally with you. You were the virtue of what it means to"walk with God." As a man of faith, who walked the straight and narrow path in pursuing liberty and justice for all, faith and trust went hand in hand. "Come, let us reason together." Since we try to emulate God and His ways, let us walk and cope and console each other that all that you, Officer William Coleman Cook, badge#1664 stood for will never be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, along with your father Charles, as we share in the memories of two lives that were well lived. Two men who put complete faith in God each and every day. I will continue to keep your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook in my thoughts and prayers. A woman of valor, a devout individual who has served God with her entire being for over ninety-seven years in good health, peace and spiritual prosperity. One never gets over losing a child or spouse and yes, it is difficult, but with God guiding their every movement and from the help of friends and community it certainly can make for a brighter day. As I tell the people at my Sabbath Services, if we communicate with God some way, some how, we will receive an answer for what we are looking for.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 1, 2012

Law enforcement personnel are our friends. They work together with the community to help make this world a better place. When we create together we can go far beyond what is imaginable. The Lord revealed himself to me as old. Eternal love I conceived for you then. Therefore, I continue my grace to you. When decency and compassion combine together, the after product is one mighty fine accomplishment. The potential is there, it needs to be brought to the forefront. Officer Cook, you certainly knew precisely how to maximize your potential, and because of the zest and zeal you brought to the Metro- Dade Police Department, this is why we feel safer and more secure. Your sacrifice on our behalf, serves as the glue which binds our community together. if God is with us, why has all this befallen us? Some day we might be able to answer this question. Rouse yourself, why do You sleep. O Lord? awaken, do not reject us forever! Why do You hide Your face? Ignoring our affliction and distress? We are certainly distressed over your tragic passing, and God knows this. Your family will always be left with a void, you were the glue, the inspiration of your parents hearts, their pride and joy and God bless your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, who at age ninety-seven has been blessed with good health and spiritual prosperity. I will always keep your mother in my thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace, my neighbor, friend and hero and keep inspiring us on the right path. Come let us reason together as God has two very honorable men, you, Officer Cook and your dad, Charles cradled in the palm of His hand to guide our every movement. The lessons in life you so passionately taught us must stand forever and cannot be forgotten. The words you spoke also need to be reemphasized.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 31, 2012

As a photographer, discovery and exploration were essential Officer Cook for you to snap the greatest pictures of a world that offers goodness. Nowhere is God so needed by human beings and so vividly depicted by the tradition as in the decisions of human life: personal, interpersonal, societal, global. Dealing with our people is the first and most important measure of respect for or disregard of God. Guidance, comfort and governance- the search for all three has its place in the quest to find a "personal" God. God is everywhere, and touches each of us in happy and solemn times. From the book of Psalms: O Lord, you have examined me and know me. When I sit down or stand up You know it. You observe my walking and reclining, and are familiar with all my ways. Where can I escape from Your spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? The friendships you forged and the righteous life you led will serve as your living legacy. A man of compassion, goodness, tenderness and care. Rest in peace Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero and may the gentleness of your soul touch us all as you so touched us for twenty-five years.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 31, 2012

We no longer live in a world in which belief is the sole bearer of human aspiration. Like all confrontations in the face of death, faith may seem at times hollow and difficult to sustain. Still the depth of faith, should we achieve it, is often proportional to the pain undergone in the course of searching. Today, trust in God, makes its stand not on unimpaired certainty, but on the ground of trial and hope. Faith seeks to strip the ultimate time of our death. Death is not the final editor of human aspiration., There is the possibility of preservation and renewal. There is God. God remembers all the forgotten. Every person, achievement, deed is touched by eternity. Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero so courageous, you are still recalled for your uniqueness. Your positive outlook and manner in which you so vividly carried out your career and personal life with your wife, Karen and friends is not something that will just pass. The faith and trust you so displayed that day of May 16, 1979, will forever capture a picture of long lasting memories. You appreciated everything you had because of the excellent upbringing you and your sister, Nancy had. Myself as well as all your other family members, friends and colleagues are all left with broken hearts wondering why did this happen to such a wonderful and gentle soul that you were officer Cook? All we do and all we are is vitally preserved, not frozen in memory. Let not ambition mock their useful toil, their homely joys, and destiny obscure: nor grandeur hear with a disdainful smile. The short and simple annals of the poor. Full many a gem of purest ray serene, the dark unimaginable caves of ocean bear: full many a flower is born to blush unseen, and waste its sweetness on the desert air. The blush is not seen, nor is the sweetness wasted. The sweet demeanor you brought to your duties daily are there to remind us to keep forging ahead and not to look back. I'm sure Officer Cook, you would want us to stay the course, keep challenging ourselves to make this world a safer place as you so dutifully exhibited while you lived a very meaningful and successful life. Rest in peace and always smile down on us with that beautiful smile and may the sweetness of your life accentuate our lives forever more.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 31, 2012

I meant to say your cherished soul. Rest in peace Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 30, 2012

I'm sorry Officer Cook for leaving the same reflection three times. Remember your Creator in the days of your youth. As water reflects face to face, so does one man's heart to another. Tour cherished soul reflects off the water and all the good deeds you accomplished as a young man and later in your life when you stepped into a new profession. Rest in peace and thank you for improving and helping to make our lives better.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 30, 2012

The knowledgeable will be radiant like the bright expanse of the sky and those that lead the many to righteousness will be like the stars for ever and ever. Those who admonish will delight. Your cherished soul Officer Cook is forever illuminating us as it shines down brightly every moment of each day. You were absolutely wise beyond your years as you friend, classmate and colleague, Chief Geoff Jacobs stated in one of his reflections. If one has to correct someone, it needs to be done without shaming that person. My neighbor, friend and hero that was how you went about conducting your affairs. A lesson in life for us to learn. Rest in peace and let your brightness shine.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 30, 2012

The righteous shall rejoice in God and take refuge in Him, may the heart of those who seek God be glad, and thus says God, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the strong man glory in his strength, let not the rich man glory in his riches. For only with this may one glorify himself-contemplating and knowing me. happy is the man who finds wisdom and happy are those who act justly, who do right at all times. Officer Cook, you performed your duties with all your heart, might and resources that God provided you with. Your career as a Metro-Dade Police Officer was focused and centered only on do the correct thing at all times. Perhaps, we as a community could have done more for you that day and possibly you might still be here with us. You gave of yourself so that we could all be safer and for that you will always be commended and hopefully never forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero and may God in His compassion place us in the midst of those officers such as yourself who reached this lofty level and help us to be included in their assemblies. Amen

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 30, 2012

We give a voice of thanks for the privilege to have known you even though I still regret never had the chance to meet and greet you. We can still reflect on the many wondrous deeds that accentuated your life. You now reside under God's eternal wings and assist in protecting those you loved and cherished while performing the work, rather the career you so loved. If you ever want to reach me Karen, I reside in North Miami Beach around the corner from where your mother-in-law, Mrs. Julia Cook lived. I will never forget the sacrifice of your husband, Officer William Coleman Cook made on behalf of Dade County and its citizens. I never forgot that day of thirty-three years ago.The valor Officer Cook so truly personified.I can be reached at my e-mail: [email protected]. Rest in peace Officer Cook and keep those Heavenly blessings raining down on us all.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 29, 2012

We give a voice of thanks for the privilege to have known you even though I still regret never had the chance to meet and greet you. We can still reflect on the many wondrous deeds that accentuated your life. You now reside under God's eternal wings and assist in protecting those you loved and cherished while performing the work, rather the career you so loved. If you ever want to reach me Karen, I reside in North Miami Beach around the corner from where your mother-in-law, Mrs. Julia Cook lived. I will never forget the sacrifice of your husband, Officer William Coleman Cook made on behalf of Dade County and its citizens. I never forgot that day of thirty-three years ago.The valor Officer Cook so truly personified.I can be reached at my e-mail: [email protected]. Rest in peace Officer Cook and keep those Heavenly blessings raining down on us all.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 29, 2012

We give a voice of thanks for the privilege to have known you even though I still regret never had the chance to meet and greet you. We can still reflect on the many wondrous deeds that accentuated your life. You now reside under God's eternal wings and assist in protecting those you loved and cherished while performing the work, rather the career you so loved. If you ever want to reach me Karen, I reside in North Miami Beach around the corner from where your mother-in-law, Mrs. Julia Cook lived. I will never forget the sacrifice of your husband, Officer William Coleman Cook made on behalf of Dade County and its citizens. I never forgot that day of thirty-three years ago.The valor Officer Cook so truly personified.I can be reached at my e-mail: [email protected]. Rest in peace Officer Cook and keep those Heavenly blessings raining down on us all.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 29, 2012

From the book of Psalms: You prepare a table before me in full view of my enemies, you anointed my head with oil, my cup overflows. May only goodness and kindness pursue me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the House of God all the days of my life. Profound words Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero. God prepared a table for you long before you so displayed your valor, courage and bravery. As nice a person as you were, I cannot fathom you having anyone dislike you. For the life of those that knew you it's hard to imagine why someone was bent on committing such an atrocity against you and your colleagues that fateful day of May 16, 1979. Your righteousness is watching over us as you dwell in eternity along with your dad, Charles. Rest in peace and may goodness and kindness help heal the loss your family, friends and colleagues suffered when you left this world to join your fellow officers who too made the ultimate sacrifice.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 29, 2012

Every person should spend an hour a day repenting, which is basically personal prayer and self-evaluation. A good warm-up is to start thanking God for all that you are blessed with. Health, livelihood, clothes on your back, food and a roof to reside under. Don't take anything for granted. Personal prayer is a guarantee for a happy and meaningful life. Confession, remorse, asking forgiveness, and commitment go hand in hand. My neighbor, friend, and hero, Officer Cook, you certainly illuminated the world for twenty-five wonderful, and happy and healthy years with your commitment to excellence in all that you undertook. We all wish you were here today to further enhance the world and this society with your faith and commitment. Karen and you were probably two of the most devout individuals that anyone could embrace. This all stems from the truly proper and forthright upbringing that so encompassed your lives. You never took anything for granted and we shall not take your courageous sacrifice for granted. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You truly delivered excellence every day in a first class way. The acronym for DEED.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 29, 2012

Officer Cook, you were a very God-fearing and trustworthy person. You did not possess a measure of arrogance or a lack of faith. Your destiny was steered forever by God and He is steering you now in the heavens above so you can patrol the Gates of heaven watching over what we contribute to society everyday. The upbringing your wonderful parents gave you and Nancy, your sister, provided you the impetus to go out in the world and help make people and their lives a little more brighter. I hope there can be happier days ahead for all to be had and those of your family, despite your tragic passing will be bright. I know your family has a great deal of faith and trust in God, and this has enabled them to persevere the tragedies that have befallen them. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 28, 2012

Peace of mind is only two words away- God provides. Working is a continuous test of faith. Police officers are battle tested each moment while on duty. Physically and psychologically you go through the rigors every day. Police work really is not eight hours and go home. Rather, it's a twenty-four hour seven day a week position. It can become very arduous. But Officer Cook, you remained focused, calm and composed conducting your professional affairs on an honest basis with aplomb. The style you employed in dealing with each challenge only personified your true character and that was honor and integrity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, and drink from God's silver goblet as you drank from the pipe of trust during your twenty-five most fruitful,productive and successful years.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 28, 2012

I am sure Officer Cook that you were overjoyed the day you officially had your badge pinned to your chest to begin your career with the Metro-Dade Police Department. God gives us the opportunity to earn a livelihood with no connection to our abilities or righteousness. The lovingkindness that was given to you was your proving ground for trust in God. God watched over you in both your private and official moments as a police officer. Even on May 16, 1979, that fateful day that you made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe and sound God's hands were directing you and your colleagues. You understood that God assisted you and your wife, Karen with sustenance and accordingly you are blessed as you now watch over us in God's heavenly gates. You constantly sought strength and trust in Our Creator. You lived humbly and for this you will forever be blessed. May your loving soul my neighbor, friend and hero rest in peace along with your dad, Charles.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 28, 2012

Thank God for brave men and women law enforcement officers such as you, Officer Cook. All your days and years as a dedicated Metro-Dade Police Officer were served for heaven's sake. This implies that you worked and endeavored under God's umbrella. The wisdom you so imparted to your partner that day, Reserve Officer Scott Lincoln and your other partners still serves as a shining inspiration of what we should all strive to attain.. The calm and caring manner of your performance should be the example your department as well as all departments around the country on how to go about the duties of serving and protecting the public. You never gave in, showed any sign of weakness or put up a smoke-screen in obtaining success. God watches over you and your fellow officers brave souls and rewards those who obedience and loyalty directed them to honesty and integrity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You were a faithful follower and left a profound influence on those who knew and loved you dearly. I'll always say a prayer for your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 27, 2012

Officer Cook, you treated each person with favor and gave the benefit of doubt to all. You and Karen glorified God's name and set out to live as a couple who devoted your spiritual energies to maximizing the abilities you both were given. You made people feel important and that is part of the purpose of why we were created. You each had a particular calling, and you answered God's call and attempted to deal with a situation in a peaceful manner. Man thinks and God laughs, I'm still not so sure what this really means, but each new day brings hope and optimism and as you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, one day you can help us figure out some of God's great mysteries.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 27, 2012

Each person created is a creature unto themselves. Officer Cook, as a wonderful human being that you were, the nobility of your soul and the immensity of your intellectual potential allowed you to accomplish all the goals that you set forth. The dastardly act that took your life and nearly cost your colleagues theirs is truly something that will not be forgotten. You were successful in dealing with all types of people and they enabled you to utilize and to achieve greatness. God caused you to aspire to greatness and it is that greatness that has allowed your very sacred soul to achieve perfection in the next world. The journey you traveled here in the land of the living and the ability to look favorably upon others is certainly enhanced. According to the effort is the reward based. You are reaping the rewards for the sacrifice you made on May 16, 1979 and for being a master of self-control. Your good name and deeds serve as your eternal legacy. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 27, 2012

God runs the world in accordance with our actions, and He created the world in order to show us His magnitude and can operate the world mercifully or in exacting stringency according to our actions. When people behave in an upright manner, civility reins and the world is a place of harmony and loving-kindness. On the other hand, injustice, immorality and cruelty invoke stern judgments and calamity. This is God's "measure for measure" mode of running the world. By way of trust, life in this world is more beautiful and by the power of trust, the entire world is like a blossoming garden that sprouts limitless varieties of exquisite plants, wonderful fragrant herbs and sweet fruit. When one places a grain of wheat upon fertile land, then it sprouts and grows well and no winds nor lighting and thunderbolts can harm it. Trust is essentially the power of growth. I can see why Officer Cook you appreciated nature and the outdoors and the beauty of being able to photograph nature at its finest moment. The seed your parents planted in you served to only enhance the value of your precious life that you utilized to help and protect people. The trust the public placed in you was utilized with integrity and honor to help defeat the foul odor of evil that still permeates in society long after you tragically passed from this world. You and Karen placed your trust in God and relied on Our creator to do the right thing. To try and begin what it meant for you to give up your very existence, we have to trust in God and all His actions. The sweetness and beautiful life you so personified will always yield pleasant memories for those acquainted with you and those such as myself can look back and hear of your goodness from your family members. It still bothers me that sadly I never got the chance to meet and speak with you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero and I'll remember all the pleasantries that you so valued as will your family, friends and colleagues. The world keeps changing and growing by leaps and bounds, that you wouldn't believe it. We have to keep the faith and trust we place in Our creator to guide us through the beautiful gardens that are planted each day.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 25, 2012

Everyone has inclinations, but good men such as yourself Officer Cook, repress them as offerings as gratitude for God's many kindnesses. when a person confesses his faults, in other words,that what he had done or what he had intended to do was wrong, and he does not continue to cover up his motives and to justify his acts, then this is truly the highest honor due to God. When a man orders his way aright, which means he assesses his ways, he will be rewarded in the end with the Salvation of God. If ones conducts their life as you properly as you did my neighbor, friend and hero Officer Cook, then you will be showered with God's salvation and continue your path of perfection. One who walks perfectly in his ways and a word of truth is in his heart will forever be rewarded. The kindness you displayed will forever bless us as your soul ascends God's heavenly ladder. Rest in perfect peace along with your dad, Charles and keep watch over us in a land where evil still runs its gamut. Every moment you lived and protected us we were blessed beyond imagination and now your memory serves as a legacy in that it still protects us always. Men of wisdom like yourself have made a big difference in how we carry ourselves daily. Happy is the man who hears and ignores a hundred evils pass him by. Because of your crucial role in discouraging evil and fighting the forces behind it, this has made our situations seem much easier to tolerate. Wise men always seem to figure out the secrets to success versus failure and Officer Cook, for twenty-five years of meaningful diligence in that aspect you could be counted on. Your attention to detail was far superior than most of those officers you worked with and your partner, Officer DeGenova a survivor of that evil will too be remembered as you are for now being afraid to put their lives on the line to serve and protect Dade County citizens. The commendations you both received only reinforce the good work of two wonderful officers. I can see why you were close friends off duty as well. Never will my family and I forget your gallantry and fortitude.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 25, 2012

A very fine saying: What is mine is yours and what is yours is yours that person is considered righteous. Officer Cook, you were a person, a loving husband, devoted son, beloved brother and if you had lived to see your two great-nieces and great-nephew, you would have loved them like no other. A doting uncle for sure. Your refined character always displayed thanks and appreciation and never held a grudge. Your family was one to give to a less fortunate person and when you married Karen, the two of you continued that upstanding trait. The career you embarked upon was one of diligence and constant training in dealing with all types of dilemmas that officers confront daily. Your work required a sharp mind and physical agility to handle the rigors of the job. The community that you so dearly loved and wanted to impart your wisdom into will never lose sight of the ultimate sacrifice you made on its behalf to make it safer and more prosperous for its citizens. We as a nation need to be more caring and sharing and less selfish as we get ready to elect either Mitt Romney or keep President Obama for another four years. As humble as you were, moving up the ranks of the Metro-Dade Police Department would have helped the morale of its officers and you probably would have been able to weed out the dishonesty from within the ranks. you were firm and when compromise was needed you could always be counted on. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, we will try to be as benevolent as you and Karen and your families were.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 25, 2012