Metro-Dade Police Department, Florida
End of Watch Wednesday, May 16, 1979
Reflections for Police Officer William Coleman Cook
With a youthful spirit, with a joyful dignity did you serve Dade County citizens, Officer Cook. Seeing that humbly bright and engaging smile, it makes you wonder all the things you could still be fulfilling. Your source of renewal and energy was drawn from your giving heart and with a stellar integrity and character you kept peace and serenity locked as one. You'll be remembered for having the calming effect all police officers should have with them when they patrol their communities. Enhancement is brought about not only love and sacrifice, it is blended together with compassion and a consideration for all mankind. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. A legacy of hard work, devotion and courage to validate all your endeavors Forever young. Forever cherished and admired.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 5, 2016
Dealing with the complex issues that life serves our way, it is in those humbly brave and honorable public servants that we place our trust and the loyalty and very dignity which they bring to their professional positions. You brought everything to the table, Officer Cook and for those fortunate enough to work alongside of you how very blessed they were. You fought the battles of evil and violence, persevering with vigilance and valor. Courage and enhancement have marked the revitalization in and around Dade County and forever the citizens have been grateful. Your legacy of character and commitment to excellence will always be as bright as is your soul which continues lighting up our pathways in life all made possible through your influence of calm and care. Composure and a compassion like no other. You demonstrated the highest sphere of outstanding work ethics coupled with your stellar integrity which in turn made your navigation a bit more smoother. The tragedy of your loss is always going to tug at our hearts, for your loving family and colleagues life goes on as you would want for them to succeed as you did and pickup the baton and keep that torch of hope and peace you lit to stay forever burning brilliantly. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 5, 2016
The day we are born we travel and go from place to place in a peaceful and serene fashion. Police officers go out on their patrols looking to keep things running as normally as they should. For your time as a police officer, Officer Cook, it was your destiny through and true with humility, honor and dignity leading the way as you dealt with whatever challenges confronted you. You were a humble and diligent gentleman, composed and calm when going about your professional duties. Now as you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, you will be saluted and admired for having the heroic means to see to it that Dade County was served and protected in an equal and fair manner.,
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 4, 2016
Officers from moment to moment, from time to time might think "outside the box." For those professionals who have honesty, integrity and a keen sense of what needs to be done, the challenges that present themselves in those venues that need more observance become a bit more clearer to those brave enough to undertake whatever may occur. To you, Officer Cook, we say thank you for enhancing our community. Honorable saluted for the valor and diligence due each person. Being able to rationalize and have the calmness to stop violence before it struck. You faithfully and loyally accepted whatever was required to restore unity and peace. Securing our futures while sacrificing your life and future, we cannot think of anything more nobler. A wise man says little and lets their heroic actions speak loudly, yours did and are reverberating each day back to us through your spirit. Your wonderful soul keeping its pathways clear up in heaven where you now patrol God's sacred streets. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. A good listener always gets the attention of their messages through kind words and by utilizing a calming demeanor. You did this humbly and with labor of love for life and the career you dignified with personification.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 3, 2016
Completing our basic tasks while dealing with the complex situations that life and our jobs have to offer. For any police officer who has honor, dignity and integrity within themselves, the problems they face may seem daunting, but with a little wisdom and self-preservation the role can be made a bit more routine. For you, Officer Cook, Dade County and its residents never needed to worry, you were there to provide relief, resourcefulness and a firm and fair resolve in carrying out the law promptly and prudently. You were a blessed Godsend, a comrade who courageously and heroically dealt with evil and the violence it wrought in an outstanding and commendable manner. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, a treasured and cherished man whose mission was founded by the principles of peace, togetherness and goodwill to be honored and saluted forever.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 3, 2016
Obstacles that impede our successes can be looked at as only temporary. No one takes a beating as a bragger. You performed superbly, Officer Cook, all your professional duties with the very same diligence, dedication, desire and determination as most of your colleagues did. It was your courage, valor, dignity and honesty that was worn quite proudly for all Dade County citizens to see and take note of on a daily basis. Consistency, commitment and devoutness carry one's travels, they certainly navigated your journeys. You were a peacemaker, a heroic man on a mission of opportunity to make things better. Your sacrifice represents the highest level of giving back, a commitment of unwavering character we don't always see. Crystal clear was your values and proper ethical conduct in all your affairs. One can grow and learn from a humble man, righteous in all his ways. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Impediments can be tackled and moved aside for the sake of unity and peace to reside and to prosper in any given community. You have been recognized and saluted wholeheartedly for all your most sincerest efforts.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 3, 2016
Something that keeps us from performing our basic tasks should not keep us down. Police officers train for all situations and they go about their jobs both serving and protecting with the hope and dignity that God will lead them to safety and a successful outcome. You toiled for six years, Officer Cook, in the Dade County community where you were admired and respected for inspiring the masses and bringing people from all walks of life together in peace, unity and goodwill. Nothing kept a beloved and esteemed gentleman like yourself, Officer Cook, down for long. For we see that heroes and heroines, their tender and compassionate souls do stay lit and continue their journeys in heaven where they illuminate the darkness that violence still brings with it. The burdens are great, the role of any officer is to provide safety, serenity and security for those they watch. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, your legacy of pride, honor and character stays well lit above no matter the day or time. You were a talented and humble Godsend. Always remembered, never forgotten, in love and respect.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 3, 2016
We take ownership for our achievements and those endeavors which are not as successful. Sometimes in life, one gets just one chance to accomplish or not. Your goals and successes in your life and police career, Officer Cook, were not only for the sake of heaven, they were honorably gained through honor, wisdom and integrity. We can look back on a hero's actions, your in particular,they were humanely humble and supremely inspiring. Inspiring in that all these changes in and around the Dade County community were delivered with cherished hopes and reference for the position, uniform and badge you donned proudly. Your commitment to character and bravery has and forever will lay the foundations of your heroic legacy. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 1, 2016
You wonder how one can take solace and comfort from the sudden loss of a beloved member of a family. I would think one way would be to accomplish as honestly as you can, do a small deed that in turn makes the world a better place to thrive. Surely, this was your theme, Officer Cook and it was both preached and practiced in your loving home, that was to be decent and honest, civilized and courteous to everyone. From then on as both a professional as a police officer whose duty was to serve and protect Dade County and its residents, a job your handled with outstanding class and caring consideration with bravery and admiration for your position. Now as our hero, humble, humane and most cherished, your memory, the life and career you exemplified in everything we expect from our heroes and heroines can stay forever as your legacy of hope, truth and justice with fairness to all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The comfort the Cook Family receives is that their beloved was truly unselfish and unwavering in those dangerous tasks that lied ahead of you, faced each day cheerfully and as optimistically as one can face them. Evil and violence are never easy to be reckoned with, you, Officer Cook, handled your affairs promptly and only with great endeavor.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 1, 2016
Freedom means the ability to do whatever we choose to do. To accomplish a goal, a desire and aspiration. For someone as humble, yet as brave as you were, Officer Cook, you directed your skills and mindset into becoming a Metro-Dade Police Officer. I don't think Dade County or its citizens could have been any happier. For we see within those like yourself who take on a career that presents many challenges for those fit enough to carry themselves honorably and with integrity in character and commitment, you were outstanding coming to the aid of comrades and those residents who relied on your fairness and unselfish support. You stood in there confronting evil, spreading peace and unity, goodwill among our society. One that still hurts deeply from your loss. We have tried to carry on with the burdens that your sacrifice helped to enhance those around you. Their liberties and pursuits of joy have continued as those comrades have never forgotten your faithfulness, reliability and leadership skills that assisted others in this fight over evil. One day with your soul watching over those brave men and women who tackle this challenge as you so loyally did we will prevail. The future rests in their hands and feet. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your legacy of courage will always be looked back upon in reverence. The respect and courtesy you bestowed upon all people, this all comes from an outstanding and honorable upbringing.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 31, 2016
Unwavering without hesitation, police officers are expected to travel in and around their communities they both serve and protect. They are required to do so with integrity and with dignity and the high commitment of honesty. Anything short of these expectations and their roles may be make much harder to fulfill. Your role, Officer Cook, was to preserve and defend the rights and liberties of all Dade County residents. You performed humbly and with a humanely compassionate side not always seen from our most loyal and dedicated public servants. You'll forever be known as a warrior, a savior, most of all a heroically resourceful colleague and friend to all. Mankind is forever indebted to your gratefulness. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The fight over evil goes on. Your missions continue as you now patrol God's golden streets. Your soul does permeate in and around your loving family members who have remembered a gallant gentleman, treasured and admired by everyone.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 31, 2016
Having the faith to be courageous, having the honesty to further our society in all that is good, the ingredients we look for in our bravest and most dignified, the humblest of our public servants. They serve a very unique role in that they give their entire being, sometimes their lives for ours to carry on. For having said this, Officer Cook, you enhanced the decency and character through your valiant commitment to fight the ongoing forces of wickedness. Sometimes violence takes its toll, it exacts the honesty and integrity, vision and leadership abilities from those skillful and more importantly faithful and loyal enough to stand in there with this diabolical and deranged object. People grow up. Hopefully they live happy and productive childhoods as you and your sister, Nancy did, Officer Cook. For what transpired that day of May 16, 1979, a day police departments from across our nation and the citizens of Dade County will not soon forget, you gave something humbly. Your life and the wonderfully cherished soul to protect and to maintain the peace, hope and unity we the citizens count on. Accountable, dependable and reliable beyond the calls of official duty. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. No mistaking pride and bravery. A job well done. A uniform and badge worn with humility and consideration to all. Your colleagues have never forgotten you nor the wisdom and capabilities you possessed.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 30, 2016
In love there is hope. In honesty there is dignity. In war there is unity to bond together and bring peace to its highest level. Evil represents an impediment that threatens the promise of respect and admiration. On May 16, 1979, in Liberty City in Miami, Florida, you were there, Officer Cook, poised and ready to stand face to face and confront an act of violence perpetrated against mankind. You acted with professionalism to preserve and to protect our rights of freedom and its pursuits of happiness that are apart of our lives. Your life and career meant something to your comrades, your family, those loved ones who watched you grow up to become the man of humbleness and humility, class and courtesy leading others down the correct path. Your role was to assist in this seemingly never ending war against violence and there you were with unwavering commitment, unselfish courage, bravery and the boldness of your strength of character to take charge. You succeeded. It is now up to those who have taken over to lead the fight diligently and with an undaunted perseverance. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 30, 2016
Thank God for decent and honorable officers whose honesty, dignity and integrity lead them down the proper paths. Thank God for you, Officer Cook, a gentleman whose mission was to deliver professional service and protection to everybody in Dade County. It was conducted and achieved by your intelligence, intuition and keen vision, leadership abilities that helped to inspire other officers to follow suit. After nearly thirty-seven since the day you gave your life and career for us and for our dreams and goals to reach fruition you have never been forgotten. How do you forget a humble servant of God devout and righteous in his ways? You don't. We just keep praying and persevering as you would inscribe as to do. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. It will always stand to reason that your courage, character and commitment remain the foundations of your heroic legacy. One made by diligence and pride in the uniform and badge you wore with modesty and humility. It glows as does your revered and admired soul which now continues its journeys throughout God's heavenly kingdom. Keep patrolling those golden streets. We will keep praying for you Mrs. Cook. Always. Your beloved and precious son, Officer William Coleman Cook, was indeed the example of kindness, grace and courtesy to all mankind.,
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 29, 2016
God in His infinite ways and plans dictates our every move. Police officers sworn to uphold the law are too governed by this edict. You were a calm person, Officer Cook, who let his integrity, honesty and dignity direct your every move too. Dade County could not have been in more capable hands. Your colleagues those who rose through the police academy stood there with you to fight this permeating wave of wickedness and sadly, yet humbly and honorably were there to pay you a fond tribute when you sacrificed your life and career so the enhancements of life and its pursuits for those residents could continue. It goes without saying you should have been allowed to see them through and for that matter all other missions in life. Life has its twists and turns, for twenty-five humbly productive and fruitfully resourceful ones you accomplished. You were cherished and loved, respected and revered. A legacy of compassion and consideration at the highest level. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 29, 2016
Tradition calls for extreme care in all that we set out to achieve. It involves not only searching within your framework for the morals deemed proper to carry out a task, but the honesty, dignity and integrity to go through with any challenges at hand. When confronted by evil, you did not run, Officer Cook, rather you hung in and fought the tough battle to instill peace, calm and unity within the lives of Dade County citizens. And you cannot ever be forgotten for your one-hundred percent endeavors at all times. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your humble legacy of faith and resolve, courage and bravery rests alongside your compassionate soul. Women and men of commitment and pride remember from where they came and respect the badge and uniform they once worn with extreme humility.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 29, 2016
Everyday we should establish a time set aside for some soul-searching. Take an accounting of who we are and where we need to go in order to make this world that much safer. Surely, something you must have put time aside to do, Officer Cook. Police officers have to wear not just a clean and proper uniform and badge, they have to deal with many different things at once. There is not dodging any issue they must confront. You looked at all matters, Officer Cook, professionally, honorably and with a sense of not just pride, but with an urgency. As most of us know, crime does not rest, it do not take a timeout. It's real and out there for those brave and valiant enough, strong and mentally able to tackle its challenges. The opportunity is real and one that is enormous for anyone public servant to have to meet up with face to face. You rose to the task, Officer Cook, you remained calm and focused, dignified and humane all while protecting and serving Dade County and its best interest. You performed on May 16, 1979 in an outstanding manner, saving your comrades from more harm, even death and the civilians involved in that wickedness. Your sacrifice represents the lessons we may have learned from one of the very best leaders of comrades who like yourself were dedicated and cared about humanity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. God when we get to heaven make the real accounting and judges us according to our proper morals and conducts in all our actions. Police officers are always going to be judged and held to a higher professional standard. The hard working and honest men and women have nothing to fear, those who don't quite measure up need to look real close at themselves in the mirror. Start now before it's too late. You were a man of peace, hope and optimism, Officer Cook. Why shouldn't colleagues emulate this pattern?
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 28, 2016
Our saviors who are brave and sure deserve our respect and salutes of dignity for all they provide us with. That is honesty, integrity, loyalty and dignity. The fabric by which and of which we come to trust these heroes and heroines from our law enforcement communities. You were a major contributor to the Metro-Dade Police Department, Officer Cook and your fairness and firmness to mete out unity, peace and liberty will never be forgotten. You were a well liked and respected officer within the ranks. Courteous and polite, intellectual and idealistic. Practical and persevering, calming and reasonable, that's what Dade County folks came to remember you for. It makes your humbly heroic legacy stand as the cornerstone of character, conviction and determination. You were certainly devoted to battle the right causes in an effort to eliminate violence and crime from our midst. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your upbringing and career will stay within in thoughts, hearts and minds as your soul travels in the heavens above patrolling those golden streets as one of God's finest guardian angels.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 28, 2016
Those I Died For You shirts which display heroes and heroines who gave their lives for Dade County citizens I caught a glimpse with your name on the back, Officer Cook and Detective Scott Richard Rakow with his name. I was fortunate enough to meet and talk with his mother, Mrs. B. J. Rakow at the police memorial either in 2010 or 2011. I met his widow, Mrs. Toni Lester and his daughter, Erica Rakow, who is a television reporter for Channel 10 WPLG-TV. Amazing meeting both of your relatives. You both were honorable, dignified and compassionate heroes who died doing what was proper. And that was fighting evil. Detective Rakow was killed chasing a drug dealer. Two remarkable gentleman characterized by poise, passion and commitment to integrity. Detective Rakow rests in peace at Lakeside Memorial Park in Doral. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Intuition. Desire. Fortitude' Yearning. Morals and values were your backbones, Officer Cook.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 27, 2016
Visiting your grave, Officer Cook, to honor your service and dedication to the people of Dade County is a project I'm humbled to have accepted upon myself. I would think that one who gives their life for a noble cause deserves the salutes of humility and honor that come their way. Bravery and valor don't just pop into a person's life, for it is how one lived and conducted their affairs. Yours were conducted with candor, commitment and excellence in knowing you performed admirably in seeing peace and unity brought together as one. You'll never be forgotten. Your heroic legacy glows as does your beautiful soul as it now patrols God's golden streets. A treasured guardian angel. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. One can only smile and look back proudly on your passion and what you delivered in quality service to everyone including caring for your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook. You will be in my thoughts and prayers forever. Stay well in San Diego.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 27, 2016
To continue the validation of good over evil, the battles must be fought to their fullest. The honest, the dignified all remain so. Those whose character is humbled with integrity shall stay the course. And as always, Officer Cook, you lived your life personified by strength in pride, commitment and loyalty. There can never be any complaints or anything else that would tarnish your professional reputation among those honorable enough to battle this wickedness on a daily basis. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Badge$1664 was worn proudly,carefully and most passionate. Dade County citizens got consideration, respect and care when you protected and served their interests.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 27, 2016
What I meant to say, Officer Cook, is that the only quit is when violence is quieted. In these professional matters you excelled mightily. Police officers are trained and taught not to give in only in extenuating circumstances. Every situation they confront is unique and challenging enough. They must maintain an approach where only honest and dignified methods are utilized. This was why you were the person, the servant of humility who personified what we come to look for in our heroes and heroines. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You went down fighting with a commitment and strength of character that remains your legacy of valor. The bad guys shall never be victorious, for as long as we have those righteous enough to keep waging war, integrity and its remnants shall not be lost.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 27, 2016
There can be no quit. No giving in. No giving up the battles, the ones waged daily to reign in violence. It's an officer's creed to pursue and to weed out evil. Your assignment, Officer Cook, one you chose thoughtfully and without reservation called for you to act professionally and proficiently at all times no matter the circumstances as dictated by the situation at hand. You were proper and honest, you comported yourself, with integrity and dignity, something your colleagues looked up to you for. And so this was why you were a talented and humble leader of others, also it was your keen wisdom and being able to size up matters pertinent to resolutions of cases. No matter you traveled down the straight path, you kept people calm and reassured them things would be fine. A positive influence among all mankind, a diligence second to none. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Quality of commitment, honorable ethics, morals above reproach are glowing in heaven as is your wonderful soul, one which gave back more than we could ever imagine. Just loyal and devout all your life and during a marvelous career as well, though, there was more left to fulfill. God uplifts those righteous people who fulfill His edicts. You were a faithful servant and now you are a heroic guardian angel tasked with even greater responsibility. You were a man of stability and common sense, Officer Cook. Justice could never go blind when you were serving and protecting residents of Dade County.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 26, 2016
There can be quit. No giving in. No giving up the battles, the ones waged daily to reign in violence. It's an officer's creed to pursue and to weed out evil. Your assignment, Officer Cook, one you chose thoughtfully and without reservation called for you to act professionally and proficiently at all times no matter the circumstances as dictated by the situation at hand. You were proper and honest, you comported yourself, with integrity and dignity, something your colleagues looked up to you for. And so this was why you were a talented and humble leader of others, also it was your keen wisdom and being able to size up matters pertinent to resolutions of cases. No matter you traveled down the straight path, you kept people calm and reassured them things would be fine. A positive influence among all mankind, a diligence second to none. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Quality of commitment, honorable ethics, morals above reproach are glowing in heaven as is your wonderful soul, one which gave back more than we could ever imagine. Just loyal and devout all your life and during a marvelous career as well, though, there was more left to fulfill. God uplifts those righteous people who fulfill His edicts. You were a faithful servant and now you are a heroic guardian angel tasked with even greater responsibility. You were a man of stability and common sense, Officer Cook. Justice could never go blind when you were serving and protecting residents of Dade County.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 26, 2016
Dedication, devotion, determination. Devious and diabolical. The first three words most people need to have if they are going to succeed. The last two words, you better serve and protect with all your might and keep these off of the streets. You kept peace and unity, Officer Cook, freedom and justice bound together as one because you were an honorable, dignified and humble gentleman. Having the intellect, the integrity and the unselfish strength of character helped all your efforts. Those made easier by your bravery, courage and valor that enabled all citizens of Dade County to live and to prosper in a more meaningful way. You'll not be forgotten for your heroic actions on May 16, 1979 and will remain cherished and respected for assisting those who relied on you the most. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. For performing a profession where everything is placed on the line you need the proper resources to be able to achieve to some degree. Your humility, Officer Cook, was the affirmation as to why we have these enhancements today and forever. Still wish you were here with us to witness these bountiful occurances
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 26, 2016