Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Wherever you are now, Scott, I hope you know that not only did you serve in the line of duty but your impact on others started way before that. When I was a teenager and you were a counselor at the youth center that now bears your name, you noticed a tiny girl with no one asking her to dance at a center dance. You grabbed my hand, grabbed a chair, set it on the dance floor and placed me on it. I got to dance with the best guy there and felt like I was on top of the world. As a gay teen, I was an outcast but you made me feel included. Thank you.

Analia
Youth Center attendee

November 20, 2025

You are never forgotten.

Ofc.Carlos Cuellar (Retired)
Miami Beach Police Department

November 15, 2025

Heavenly Father, I come before You today grieved in heart over the divisions in our country; the United States of America. I grieve for every life lost to violence, regardless of color or creed. And I especially grieve this day over the senseless deaths of America’s Peace Officers whose sworn duty is to protect us from harm. Please grant comfort and hope to their families. I know from the Holy Scriptures in Romans 13 that Peace Officers have a sacred task, to enforce laws that protect the innocent and punish the guilty. I pray that You will protect them as they serve us. Give them wisdom, discernment, and a deep desire to serve You. Please surround every Peace Officer in our nation, the United States of America, with battalions of warring angels to protect them from harm. I stand in the powerful and mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ against every work of Satan intended to inflict injury and death on our Protectors. May Satan’s power be thwarted, in Your mighty and holy name, and his plans exposed by Your Light. In the mighty and holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Redeemer, and the Mediator between us, Heavenly Father, in prayer, and by His authority, I pray! Amen.

Please find Encouragement, Comfort, Support, and Hope from God's Word:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
[Matthew 5:9 ESV];

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." [Psalm 23:4 ESV];

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
[John 15:13 ESV];

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." [Matthew 5:4 ESV];

"And he [Jesus] said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." [Luke 23:43 ESV], and;

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16 ESV].

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NACM, NCCA
Ordained Independent NACM Minister
The Badge 183 Peacemakers Prayer Ministry
Member: Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers - USA

Captain Steven R. Closs (Retired)
Nashua NH Police Department (1974-1998)

July 1, 2025

I heard your name mentioned while watching the very first episode of COPS from 1989. It was the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, and they were all wary of your recent killing and solemn in the wake of losing one of Florida’s finest. I am just beginning my career in law enforcement, and it is the legacy of brave men and women in law enforcement, like yourself, that have inspired me to undertake the same mission. Rest in Peace Officer Rakow, your sacrifice for the greater good will never be forgotten. In the hearts and minds of those you inspire, which is all of us who wear the badge today, you will live forever.

Officer John Morley
Department of the Navy Police

December 7, 2024

Rest in peace Detective Rakow and olav hashalom. A man named Glenn Gordon lived where you and Toni lived on Miami Beach. he stays with us. Never forgotten for being a Miami Beach hero,

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 1, 2022

Palmer Maree I think it's spelled this way and Pierson Scott are your two grandchildren, Detective Rakow. Olav hashalom and rest in peace. The little girl is older. Have not spoken with Erica or her mother your widow Toni who remarried since Mrs. Kate Klein's funeral that I officiated at Lakeside Memorial Park in the Degania section where you and your loving parents are buried. I do text Mrs. Anita Bernstein your mother-in-law exchanging holiday greetings.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 24, 2022

Today, I visited your grave Detective Rakow. Olav hashalom and rest in peace. I was performing a funeral at Lakeside cemetery.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 20, 2021

Rest in peace and olav hashalom Detective Rakow. A great family who loves and misses their hero very dearly!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 30, 2021

RIP sir; Never to be forgotten.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"

October 8, 2020

Thank you for your service and please know that sacrifice will never be forgotten. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

June 30, 2020

Rest in peace and olav hashalom Detective Rakow. Your daughter Erica and her husband, Scott have two children, Pierson Scott and a daughter I'll have to text your mother-in-law, Anita Bernstein, your widow, Toni's mother. From heaven you can soar and watch over your wonderful family. A sacrifice Miami Beach and Dade County will never forget!Your name carries within it a legacy of heart, sanctity and total professionalism. Your family are the loveliest of people.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 18, 2020

I stood by his side. After. I felt like I was honored to be your guardian. Those were my last days as a funeral attendant. My heart was not able to get me out of my bed the morning of your burial. I was buried.
In grief , I have shame .
I abandoned my post. I am sorry , I buried my self in the morning , mourning my life is not as easy as it was not Peace on Earth. I survived. Still guilty for every breath I take. Rest in peace Scott.

Howard Delovitch
Riverside Memorial Chapel

March 15, 2020

Rest in peace and olav hashalom Detective Rakow. I surely hope society can end these days of evil and bring a renewed sense of vitality back where it belongs. You started that process and while looking down from those skies above you can humbly watch over your loving family.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 14, 2020

Olav Hashalom and rest in peace Detective Rakow. I always give your mother-in-law Mrs. Anita Bernstein holiday greetings and inquire how your daughter Erica is doing now that you would be a grandfather.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 3, 2019

With the anniversary of your death in the line of duty, I just wanted to say Olav Hashalom and rest in peace Detective rakow. A courageous and honorable young man taken way too soon!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 28, 2019

Detective Rakow, today as I celebrated my sixtieth birthday, I'm thinking about you and your lovely family. A terrible tragedy you cannot observe your sixtieth this coming July. Always a humble and honored hero of Miami beach. your mother in law, Mrs. Anita Bernstein , your widow, Toni's mom is very nice to me. You see a few years ago I reflected that I officiated at your daughter, Erica's great-grandmother, Kate Klein, Anita's mom. I always call or text her a happy Passover or Rosh Hashanah. She'a grateful I think about her and the family. Rest in peace and Olav Hashalom Detective Rakow. I'm sure Erica is doing well with her husband Scott and at WPTV Channel 5 West Palm Beach. I believe Erica if you read this you have my number and can always contact me. Your mother, Toni was very nice to me too. Memories are forever. It is a real crying shame what happened to a bright man and a very fine human being . Charming and humble.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 14, 2019

Was it not a capital crime? Why not death?

Kathi S Faith
Mother, Daughter, and granddaughter of LEOs.

June 30, 2018

NO MORE 3 HOTS (MEALS) AND A COT FOR KILLERS!

JUDGES ARE TOO USED TO SAYING "YOU ARE FREE TO GO" TO PERPS.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IS LONG OVERDUE.

SHALOM SHALOM, SCOTT RAKOW.

Richard Harris Freer

February 19, 2018

You will not be forgotten.

Officer Al Caba
Customs & Border Protection

May 29, 2017

Rest in peace and Olav Hashalom Detective Rakow. I said the hebrew memorial prayer for you and your beloved parents. You'll never be forgotten. Your character and courage have inspired many to succeed. Your daughter, Erica, works as a reporter for Channel 10. Your parents and family would be very proud of you and your accomplishments.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 20, 2017

Sadly, this past Saturday, I read that your mother, Dr. Barbara B.J. Rakow passed away. She was a very wonderful and loving mother to you and your entire family. I can see the value of honesty, class and receiving an education has helped mold your family. Rest in peace Detective Rakow, your dignity and integrity is now heroically together with both of your parents. As you were a most beloved gentleman, husband, father. brother and uncle the residents of Miami Beach and the Dade County community at large can certainly look back on your most accomplished life and career that had much more destiny left to fulfill. I was privileged to have met your mother at one of Dade County's Police Memorials at Tropical Park in Miami where you have been saluted and honored for your unselfish bravery.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 23, 2016

Yesterday, Detective Rakow, I officiated at the funeral of your daughter, Erica's one-hundred and five-year-old great-grandmother. Mrs. Kate Klein. The service at Lakeside Cemetery where you rest in peace along with your father was attended by about thirty people. I spoke with your widow, Toni and Erica briefly. You would be proud of them. Your daughter now works at WPLG Channel 10. A great woman. I still cannot imagine how she spoke of you are the police memorial in such humble terms. You were humble, respected and greatly admired. You were the cherished husband, father, brother, uncle and son and police officer they all came to know and to love. Olav Hashalom. One great family you have. I hope your mother is doing well these days. I met Mrs. Klein at The Court of Palm Aire where I lead Friday Sabbath services.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davi

October 12, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

July 4, 2015

Thinking about you today my friend!
I know you're still hear so keep talking because I am listening.
You are still a force! What kind of commotion are you causing where you are now? All those things we talked about when you were here are now your reality. I feel your peace! Was I right?
How proud you must be to see your daughters wedding. I know you are with her always. Nothing could stop your spirit. How about showing me the fan trick again. I know you are waiting for just the right time. I tell you this my friend, it could only be you.
Miss you here, but still happy I have you there.
Peace!

Joe Parisi
brother in spirit

May 12, 2015

Erica got married this weekend!
You would be so proud of her... She's smart, beautiful, and a dear friend of my kids!!! She was a beautiful bride...and I know you were there every minute!

Anonymous
Anonymous friend

April 26, 2015