Metro-Dade Police Department, Florida
End of Watch Wednesday, May 16, 1979
Reflections for Police Officer William Coleman Cook
Rest in peace Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero. I hope once again your family has a healthy and happy 2012. I will continue to say prayers for your mom, Mrs. Julia Cook and your family. You are missed by everyone and I still wish i had the opportunity to meet you. A few weeks ago, I stopped at your grave late in the afternoon, my van broke down there, fortunately, I was able to get assistance. I said to my wife Holly and my son, Joshua, Officer Cook's spirit was watching over me to guide me to safety.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
December 29, 2011
When a hero falls in the line of duty, a guardian angel rises. Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero, you are our angel, keep watch above and rest in peace, as you protect us from Heaven's pearly gates.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
December 24, 2011
I sent your mom Mrs. Julia Cook a Christmas card and hope she is doing well out in San Diego. Rest in peace Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero. When I drive my son Joshua to NMB each morning, I turn on 170th St., your old block where you grew. up. I tip my cap, just can't believe it has been 32 years since you were taken from this earth. I'll never stop thinking of you. I just wish I could have met you, I'm glad I met Justin, your nephew, and hope I can meet Gina, Nancy, your niece and sister, your mom and other nephew Josh.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
December 23, 2011
It is stated in the Book of Psalms that if we pray to God to lift our burdens, then God will lift those burdens. As the holiday of both Chanukkah and Christmas arrives we should not overlook your valor and bravery. rest in peace Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero. i want to wish your mom Mrs. Julia Cook and your immediate family, Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. A year of hope and renewal, peace on Earth and good health to everyone.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
December 7, 2011
Today Officer Cook would have been your 58th birthday, and you will forever be remembered by me as a hero. Rest in peace from your neighbor and friend. I am going to try and visit your grave.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
November 30, 2011
I wanted to wish your families a Happy Thanksgiving, rest in peace Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero. I will always say a prayer for your mom, Mrs. Julia Cook.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
November 26, 2011
In unity there is strength. Rest in peace Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
November 19, 2011
I think the word chosen in my last reflection is not the right word. Although through God's will he decides how long we live. Officer Cook I wish you were still alive and you colleagues, Officers DiGenova And Edgerton were forgotten heroes as well who survived Mr. Lewis Pearsall's horrific shooting spree that took your young life, despite your brave and heroic efforts to protect your fellow officers. Your partner Reserve Officer Scott Lincoln witnessed the firefight and Detective Blocker who arrived on the scene and shot and killed Mr.Pearsall, ending that terrible day. Rest in peace Officer Cook, we owe a great debt to you that can never truly be repaid for your heroism and courage.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
November 10, 2011
Rest in peace in God's embrace Officer Cook, my friend, neighbor and hero. Officer DiGenova and Officer Edgerton were also shot that faterful day, and they too cannot be forgotten. God needed another fallen angel to look down on us and you were chosen. I'm sure you are watching and policing the streets from Heaven above. Officer Cook you and your family will always be in my heart and prayers.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
November 10, 2011
Stand in awe of the Lord, you who are His holy ones, for there is nothing lacking to those who stand in awe of Him. Rest in peace Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero. The courage and awe with grace and humility you displayed on May 16, 1979 will never be forgotten by your family or myself. I always keep you in my thoughts and prayers along with your mom Mrs. Julia Cook and your family.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
November 7, 2011
Part of this reflection is from Psalm 92. A righteous man will flourish like a date palm, like a cedar in the Lebanon he will grow tall, planted in the house of God, in the courtyards of our God they will flourish. Rest in peace my neighbor,friend and hero Officer Cook. Your valor and courage stand above them all. There are six other fallen officers buried in Dade Memorial Park, I'm sure you and Sgt. Crenshaw, Officers Brown, Herring, Jones, Detective Walker and Trooper Ambroise are up in Heaven protecting us here in this world. I will always say prayers for your mom, Mrs. Julia Cook and your family.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
October 27, 2011
Part of this reflection is from Psalm 92. A righteous man will flourish like a date palm, like a cedar in the Lebanon he will grow tall, planted in the house of God, in the courtyards of our God they will flourish. Rest in peace my neighbor,friend and hero Officer Cook. Your valor and courage stand above them all. There are six other fallen officers buried in Dade Memorial Park, I'm sure you and Sgt. Crenshaw, Officers Brown, Herring, Jones, Detective Walker and Trooper Ambroise are up in Heaven protecting us here in this world. I will always say prayers for your mom, Mrs. Julia Cook and your family.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
October 27, 2011
The path of the righteous is like the glow of sunlight growing brighter 'til high noon.Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook. I'll never forget that day- May 16, 1979 and the ultimate sacrifice you made to keep us safe and sound.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
October 23, 2011
The path of the righteous is like the glow of sunlight growing brighter 'til high noon.Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook. I'll never forget that day- May 16, 1979 and the ultimate sacrifice you made to keep us safe and sound.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
October 23, 2011
"A Hero Is"
One who never hesitates to tackle the most difficult problems. One who is always by your side. One who knows right from wrong. One who acts with pride A hero teaches every one of us, whether it be word or deed. Always tending to those who find themselves in need. When a hero leaves this Earth, yes it's sad, but true, All too many times, the hero is dressed in blue. rest in peace Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero. I'll continue to say prayers for your mom, Mrs. Julia Cook, your family and yourself.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
October 20, 2011
As my family celebrates the Feast of Tabernacles, one of the things we can do is look up at the stars twinkling and your beautiful soul shining down upon us. Rest in peace Officer Cook, my hero, neighbor and friend. I will always say a prayer for you and your mom, Mrs. Julia Cook. May 16, 1079 will never be forgotten by me nor the sacrifice you made to keep us all safe that day.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
October 13, 2011
Time never should diminish respect. Rest in peace Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend, and hero. I look practically everyday at your smiling face on the Officer Down Memorial Page and realize how proud you were to serve as a police officer. I still wish I could have met and spent time with you.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
October 5, 2011
Though I never met Officer Cook, He was another brother in blue, Killed in the line of duty, A hero through and through, So young with a whole life ahead of him, He chose to serve his country in noble fashion, Donning his Police Uniform, So proud of his profession, On swift wings he was taken from us, To protect the streets up above, He now watches over us, performing the job he so loved. Rest in peace Officer Cook my neighbor and friend.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
September 29, 2011
This afternoon Officer Cook I visited your grave and said a prayer for you as I was clearing the shrubs and weeds off of the stone.This a solemn time of year for me and my family as i visited my uncle's grave and that of my parents. I'm sure your family as well as mine will keep each other in their hearts. Hopefully the coming year will bring good health, peace, and prosperity to the world. I still wish you were here to enjoy your family and for my family to have to gotten to befriend and be around you and your family. I'm sure you're looking down and watching all of us, as you stand guard as our true blue angel and guardian hero. rest in peace my dear friend and neighbor, Officer Cook.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
September 27, 2011
It has been almost one year Officer Cook since I received a beautiful and touching letter from your mom, Mrs. Julia Cook. She just celebrated her 96th birthday out in San Diego with her grandsons and other family members and friends. I still drive by your home on 170th St. in NMB where you grew up.Last year when I met your nephew Justin, I wanted to go into your mom's home but I probably would have been crying like a baby and would had to have my wife Holly come over and take me from the home, just because it was very sad what happened to you. The neighbor and friend that my parents did not get the chance to meet or be friendly with and the fact that my dad was a policeman in New York City for almost 40 years. I just regret the opportunity to have been neighborly and to have befriended you as well. On Friday, I conduct pre-Sabbath services at various Adult Congregate Living Centers and I speak to a priest, Father Thomas Preston and I showed him the letter your mom wrote me, and we talk and he is amazed at all the Cardinals in the Church that I know. I say Father Preston, I just read or google on the Internet that is all. For now my courageous friend and neighbor Officer Cook, rest in peace. I am glad to visit your grave and always say a small prayer for you and your mom, Mrs. Julia Cook.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
September 20, 2011
I meant to say Justin, I understand you are living out in San Diego near your grandmother and brother Josh Hyatt. I wanted to thank you for giving my letter to your grandmother Mrs. Julia Cook. I hope one day I can met your grandmother. I spoke on 9-11-11 to your brother-in-law, Mr. Wilkerson and he told me you are out there. If you or Mrs. Cook or Mr. Hyatt want to contact me my address is: . I wrote the letter to the cemetery and they replaced the replica of your Uncle Bo's badge with an emblem of Dade County.Though I was told it would be a badge with the number 1664, the one your uncle wore proudly for the six years he served the citizens of Dade County. Rest in peace Officer Cook, your dedicated service will never go unnoticed by your beloved friend, and neighbor.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
September 14, 2011
This reflection I am leaving for you Officer Cook is the letter dated September 22, 2010 that your mom Mrs. Julia Cook at age 95 wrote to me. Dear Rabbie Davis: It was a pleasure to get the letter you wrote me. I am glad you met me grandson, he is a very nice person and looks just like his Uncle Bill {my son}, has the looks, happy go lucky person even though he is in the wheelchair. he doesn't let his disability keep him from doing anything. Justin, I understand I living out in San Diego, along with his brother Josh Hyatt. You would be very proud of your nephews and niece Mrs. Gina Wilkerson.To continue the letter, your mom wrote, i may not have seen you many times walking down 170th St. The area has changed since your tragic passing. Your mom described your niece, Mrs. Gina Wilkerson, as the same sweet, and maybe you had seen her as you were driving or walking by. To conclude, your mom wrote, I was so glad to hear from you and will try to keep in touch. Thank you so much and you can say a prayer for me. God Bless Julia Cook your friend and neighbor. On the back what she wrote really brought a tear to my eye, thank you so much for visiting Billy's grave. Your nephew, who has your name, his middle name I believe has a master's degree in International Relations and Josh Hyatt works in acting our ventures, I'm not sure what line of work Mrs. Gina Wilkerson does. I finally called and spoke briefly with her husband and sent your mom a birthday card as Saturday will be her 96th birthday which she she should enjoy in good health, peace and prosperity. I still cannot fathom that you have been gone for a third of her life, and I'm certain you are greatly missed by your mom and entire family. As I have said before, I never will forget that awful day on May 16, 1979. Yesterday, our country remembered the terrorist attacks that took place ten years ago on September 11, 2001. Rest in peace my beloved friend and neighbor Officer Cook. For your mom to have written to someone she did not know, was something I will never forgot and will cherish this letter always. You and my parents will always be in my heart. I told Mr. Wilkerson that I was the person who wrote to the cemetery and got them to replace the replica, restoring your dignity, honor, integrity and respect. You are my Hero-Honor Every Resting Officer.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
September 12, 2011
This reflection I am leaving for you Officer Cook is the letter dated September 22, 2010 that your mom Mrs. Julia Cook at age 95 wrote to me. Dear Rabbie Davis: It was a pleasure to get the letter you wrote me. I am glad you met me grandson, he is a very nice person and looks just like his Uncle Bill {my son}, has the looks, happy go lucky person even though he is in the wheelchair. he doesn't let his disability keep him from doing anything. Justin, I understand I living out in San Diego, along with his brother Josh Hyatt. You would be very proud of your nephews and niece Mrs. Gina Wilkerson.To continue the letter, your mom wrote, i may not have seen you many times walking down 170th St. The area has changed since your tragic passing. Your mom described your niece, Mrs. Gina Wilkerson, as the same sweet, and maybe you had seen her as you were driving or walking by. To conclude, your mom wrote, I was so glad to hear from you and will try to keep in touch. Thank you so much and you can say a prayer for me. God Bless Julia Cook your friend and neighbor. On the back what she wrote really brought a tear to my eye, thank you so much for visiting Billy's grave. Your nephew, who has your name, his middle name I believe has a master's degree in International Relations and Josh Hyatt works in acting our ventures, I'm not sure what line of work Mrs. Gina Wilkerson does. I finally called and spoke briefly with her husband and sent your mom a birthday card as Saturday will be her 96th birthday which she she should enjoy in good health, peace and prosperity. I still cannot fathom that you have been gone for a third of her life, and I'm certain you are greatly missed by your mom and entire family. As I have said before, I never will forget that awful day on May 16, 1979. Yesterday, our country remembered the terrorist attacks that took place ten years ago on September 11, 2001. Rest in peace my beloved friend and neighbor Officer Cook. For your mom to have written to someone she did not know, was something I will never forgot and will cherish this letter always. You and my parents will always be in my heart. I told Mr. Wilkerson that I was the person who wrote to the cemetery and got them to replace the replica, restoring your dignity, honor, integrity and respect. You are my Hero-Honor Every Resting Officer.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
September 12, 2011
I wrote a letter to your classmate and colleague from the police academy, Chief Geoff Jacobs. I'm sure you would be very proud of his accomplishments. As a person, Officer Cook you were a devout man along with your wife Karen. Matter of fact my mom, may she rest in peace, lived around the corner from the Visitation Catholic Church that you attended, would say a we reach our holy time of year that prayer is very important. Four sayings from the Bible come to mind: O Lord, open Thou my lips and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. Whoever has it in his power to pray on behalf of his neighbor and fails to do so is called a sinner. One should always first declare the praise of the Holy One, blessed be he, and then pray to Him. Finally, it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord and to sing praises to His name. There was also a synagogue around the corner from what is now Starlake condos.Rest in peace Officer Cook, your praises of the Lord will assist your soul as it ascends God's Heavenly throne.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
September 6, 2011
The word is I meant to say and not "to day." My wife does something within the NMB community for which her reward is totally spiritual, and that is she washes and prepares women who have passed on for burial. Her reward as well as what I can contribute to support families of fallen heroes such as yourself Officer Cook is from above- Our Creator. I'm sure your mom would be very proud and happy for that which her neighbor and friend-myself has done. I really would be humbled and pleased to meet her, your sister and niece and other nephew, Mr.Hyatt. I am truly honored for your mom, Mrs. Cook to take the time and write the letter to someone she did not know. I feel like I have neglected her for these past 32 years and hopefully she is fine out in San Diego. Rest in peace Officer Cook my friend and neighbor. As was your role in law enforcement, this is the role for my wife Holly and I. We are just trying to make this world as you did a better place, and because of your sacrifice, we all have to try that much harder.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
September 4, 2011
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