Metro-Dade Police Department, Florida
End of Watch Wednesday, May 16, 1979
Reflections for Police Officer William Coleman Cook
When involved in spiritual matters, remain steadfast in your principles and beliefs. It worked throughout your entire life and brief, but accomplished six year career as a Metro-Dade Police Officer Cook. You were a humble and humane, cherished and a treasured inspiration to all police officers on what it both takes and means to wear a police uniform so honorably and very proudly. One can state it often enough, the task begins in one's home and in your house, Officer Cook, where dignity and stellar integrity came together so perfectly, one can comprehend why you were successful, why you were admired and why you served and protected residents with a calming influence. Your leadership skills and maturity beyond your years served as a springboard for others to follow and to aspire to even greater heights. Your unwavering commitment to bravery, resolve, courage and valor do reflect a rich legacy of excellent character, its strength and boldness highlighted among those many heroes and heroines who served with a passion, patrolled with a purpose and engaged with an intuition marked by intelligence and the keen vision needed to carry out your professional goals and objectives. You will forever be missed, but never forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Thank God for devout, loyal and very faithful and trustworthy servants such as yourself Officer Cook.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 17, 2015
One always should try to focus their full attention on positive things instead of complaining about the negative. In your line of work, Officer Cook, you stayed passionate, as calm as an officer could be and reassuring to the point of allowing Dade County citizens to enjoy their peace, unity and prosperity. One only needs to know the fine and upstanding character you had and the meaning of why you were outstandingly humble, along with being an honest and much dignified possessor of superb integrity. Your bravery and the spirit that was inside your home, within the uniform you donned proudly and admirably stands as a lesson we sure could all learn from. Heroes and heroines don't just pop up, they are born and bred from within a loving family environment and the upbringing one receives from their parents who raise them. Only the finest and much beloved and treasured gentleman who had the righteous humility to carry out his public service with class, morals and decency which needs to be accentuated within all police officers. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 16, 2015
Police officers at times run into opposition when it comes to protecting and serving the public at large. You, Officer Cook, acted with honor and integrity so stellar that was and is exactly why you were so well admired and respected. Dade County residents come to respect those many brave and courageous men and women of the law enforcement profession who go out on patrol daily and exhibit the greatest degrees of valor and gallantry, trying at the very same time to channel care and compassion into their performance. Not such an easy task. More of an arduous role even with proper dedication and motivation. All your efforts, Officer Cook, have brought about many changes positive for the most part. I'm sad that you couldn't be here to witness these changes, these enhancements brought about through your heroic actions on May 16, 1979. For certainty a legacy of valor, grace and outstanding character to act as swiftly as you did and in the course of your commitment to pride, honor and excellence you saved at least seven lives and perhaps many more. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 16, 2015
A charming and pleasant young man that you were, Officer Cook, your calming and charismatic demeanor spoke volumes regarding your job performance. A task must be done with honesty, dignity and integrity. For your entire life and all too short career you were a man of your word. A man who fulfilled his missions in life and was taken to a better in God's heavenly abode to help patrol those sacred golden streets. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, your motivations in both your life and police career were predicated and dictated by the virtues of good character and flawless service and protection in keeping Dade County residents safe and secure. A brighter and better tomorrow is all made possible by your unwavering and unselfish sacrifice. A life is a terrible thing to waste when opportunity knocks, we must answer the calls of duty, you never backed down or ran from evil, you went face to face on May 16, 1979. A tragedy no family or department should ever know from again. You were truly cherished and a devout public servant. You meant the world to all of us. A heroic legacy to be held close to our hearts.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 15, 2015
Learn, explore, assess and plan, certainly before any police officer endeavors to tackle an assignment they must think about what and why they are undertaking such tasks. Officer Cook, you performed your professional responsibilities with the utmost care, consideration, relying on the cooperation, collaboration and consolidation of those Dade County residents that you both served and protected with a zest and a zeal for the truth and fairness that was expected of you. It can only be carried out if you are dignified, intensely loyal, faithful and honest. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. A stellar life of integrity and outstanding character led to all your achievements.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 15, 2015
God helps channel our enthusiasm so that we may prosper. Police officers try to remain upbeat whenever they go out to battle wickedness. Your goal, your mission in life was to stamp out bad, Officer Cook and you surely succeeded where others may not have. We leave the honorable men and women to learn and attempt to figure out solutions to everything. No one is perfect and yet, Officer Cook, you were revered and admired greatly throughout your department. Your smile set the tone, your calming and soothing voice of reason left the doubters no longer in doubt. Your soul my neighbor, friend and hero moves with the gentle breezes that blow our way each and every moment. Rest in peace. You have to channel the power and know when to rein in any bad and unethical patterns of misconduct to achieve mightily.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 14, 2015
Elevate all that you do and when unity and peace cling together there is blessing. Amen to that. You watchful eyes, Officer Cook, surveyed the landscape of the Dade County community for six of the twenty-five years that you were accomplished in all your endeavors. There was your abundance of honesty, integrity and dignity steering you from one place to another where you strived to serve and to protect like no other police officer. You were fearless in your passions and pursuits, as well as undaunted by any impediments placed before you. Your legacy of outstanding character and professionalism will be forever remembered, as you remained the consummate resourceful and spirited gentleman. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your soul has received its elevation by the vary actions of your physical being.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 14, 2015
The king and queen may rule the palace, it is the gentleman and officer who honorably patrol the streets searching for improper behavior and endeavor to replace it with proper ethics and conduct befitting what we consider proper and prudent. This is what you meant to those you loyally served Officer Cook. We bring up how a person is raised in their homes by their loving and giving parents. The Cook Household in North Miami Beach, Florida was not much different from other homes. It was modest and morally responsible, both you and your sister, Nancy were this way. You accepted challenges and understood the meaning of hard work as opposed to just sitting back and waiting for something to fall right into your lap. I firmly believe this is why you and your beloved wife, Karen, were accomplished as both your families exemplified this characteristic. One can be very certain you 'll never be forgotten, for your humble and shining legacy was begun years before you gave your life on behalf of Dade County citizens. Brave, valiant, honest, dignified and forthcoming, all the traits of a model police officer, more importantly of a true human being who was respected and cherished in life and forever will be remembered this way. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Parents raise their children a certain way and it is up to these children to abide and comport themselves properly as they grow up bringing honor and pride to their loved ones and colleagues who work on a daily basis with them. They are all heroes and heroines to be sure. Love of life and a bright smile certainly can travel a long way, yours, Officer Cook, keeps moving it will never cease as it stays implanted in thew hearts and minds of those who loved you and wanted only good things for you.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 13, 2015
Compliance and complacency are two words that can never be confused nor combined with one another. They cannot encroach upon our domain if we are to be successful. For your entire life and police career, Officer Cook, you never backed away nor ran from a problem, rather as an honorable officer should do you took matters in your own hands on May 16, 1979 and attempted to stop a domestic situation from becoming worse. Brave men and women realize that this is their charge and their professional onus to serve and protect within the boundaries of ethical and moral standards, something you always ascribed to do. They don't come any more admired, humbled and treasured than yourself. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Our Creator keeps your spirit alive and burning brightly because of your heroic vigilance and diligence in uniting Dade County citizens in peace and unity, enhancing all their pursuits of what we deem fitting and morally correct.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 13, 2015
Self-discipline and self-denial two habits that all law enforcement personnel must exercise at all times to be successful in all their travels of securing the much necessary peace and security. You were among the many splendid and outstanding police officers of your day, Officer Cook. Making the ultimate sacrifice for Dade County citizens to flourish and be able to live accordingly has meant the world to your loving family and esteemed colleagues who went with you out on the streets to battle evil. You were legendary. You were a champion of honesty, dignity and integrity. Your character lives forever beyond reproach. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. It was your humility and engaging personality that afforded you the opportunity to become the very best you became. You were sadly denied the right you had to live on and to see things through the way the Cook Family accomplishes its goals and missions in and of life.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 12, 2015
Act with respect and kindness towards one another. Officer Cook, as a lover of nature and of all people, it was easy to comprehend why you were revered, respected and have been remembered for your professional exploits. All residents of Dade County should revere admire and humbly salute all their heroes and heroines. After all, our pursuits of peace and happiness cannot become fruitful unless men and women of honesty and valor intervene on our behalf. Responsible. Reliable. Resilient and vigilant, rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Parents instill those core values in their children which usually produce an everlasting effect. You made them all proud of your desire and commitment to excellence.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 12, 2015
A person's privacy is a very important emotional need. Being humble and humane carries with it great distinction. You carried your professional career with the very same honor, integrity and loyalty, Officer Cook. All the battles, all the good times, the sad ones too you were there to care. Sometimes for the ordinary person, it can be quite difficult to comprehend what police officers go through on a daily basis. Unless we are in your shoes and driving with them, it's hard to ponder, that maybe all we can do. Ponder. Reflect. All the diligence and hard work it takes to become a very top notch officer. Unless you sit in on a class, go to a field to watch the recruits jog, climbs walls, scale fences, dive into canals, we just don't know. You did all that quite superbly, my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook. You bravery, courage and valor was endless. Your boldness and swiftness to act as you did on May 16, 1979, was even more braver than we could ever know. You relished a challenge and you accomplished something humbly speaking better then any of of us could ever imagine. Rest in peace. A fitting legacy of outstanding character accentuated by an even more dignified gentleman. Resolve and resourcefulness surely helped to personify both your life and police career. We contemplate life. But first before this can occur, there must be a determination and a motivation before one can take the first step. A life and a chosen career are first built from the bottom up. That is how you started, Officer Cook. We'll never forget your caring, kindness and compassion you had for all people no matter their circumstances.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 11, 2015
I am walking around my house this morning thinking about you, Officer Cook and the fact that you should have been allowed to grow older and ace gracefully. In about two months, September 17, 2015, your beloved mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, may you live and be well will celebrate her 100th birthday with her family and friends. You were her darling and much cherished and treasured son who will forever be remembered as a Dade County police hero. You fought the battles against evil and yet you maintained a core of ethics, decency, honesty and bravery wherever you patrolled. Your six years of loyal and faithful service to the residents of a community where you were revered, respected and admired stays forever in the hearts and minds of those who cherished their times with a decent and humane gentleman. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. God plans our every movement and I know Mrs. Cook, your husband, Charles, may he too res tin peace is sharing his eternity watching his son, Officer William Coleman Cook, Badge#1664, a truly versatile and uniquely distinguished public servant and most importantly, a fine example of giant of a human being.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 11, 2015
Police work has its amazing moments. Officer Cook, you were an astute man and an unassuming officer, though when the time came for you to perform professionally, there you were making a big difference in our modern society. It comes down to scruples, honesty and integrity. All the physical attributes do not mean a ting if one does not possess the correct mental facilities. But in your life and during your solid police career, there was no need to panic or to worry. You held up your end very well indeed. Fate and fortunate sometimes cross paths, for all officers there still is the obligation to protect and to serve the public interest. All performed gracefully,with gallantry and of course with loving reverence for your official position. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, your bravery, courage and valor stay entrenched within your heroic legacy, one which is never to be forgotten and always saluted. The heart and soul of the Cook Family is darling and prideful and you were fiercely loyal to all mankind, a tenderness and a gentle compassion to do God's will with nothing but youthful zeal and plenty of energy. All public servants should act this way, it will make them much better officers.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 10, 2015
Boldness to bravely act upon a situation that called for dire efforts to resolve a domestic dispute that went so wrong. It was your common sense and calming influence that saved your colleagues and civilians whose lives hung in the balance. All based and channeled upon your valor, Officer Cook, which not only was valuable, it was validated by your resourcefulness to act with the humblest and the highest of honorable intentions. Driven by desire, dignity and integrity all instilled in you at a tender young age by your loving mother and father. All we have to do is to keep our eyes peeled upon the stars at night where your cherished soul illuminates our universe where you served and protected Dade County residents with all you might. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. A heartfelt thank you and staunch salute for your heroism and a legacy which bolsters your humane character. Heroes and heroines all lead and live their lives by the very first rule and that is by discipline, values and ethical morals. There can be no doubt, Officer Cook, you left large shoes to fill. A huge responsibility. The onus is on us to conduct and govern ourselves accordingly as you did.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 10, 2015
Your family is mighty proud of all your accomplishments, so much so, although your life should have been allowed to continue. Your good work as a Metro-Dade Police Officer stood for meaningful, devoted and positively outstanding professional performance by one of the best officers of his time. Officer Cook, you gave us a glimmer of hope, fueled by relentless optimism and unwavering faith in God who steered you throughout all of your trials and tribulations in and around the Dade County community. A venue where the residents expect and demand excellence in character, honor in honing in on evil, all while maintaining everlasting dignity, integrity, bravery and valor. You were a good man who exemplified class, decency and unselfish caring and compassion. The passion through which you patrolled was similar to your words of concern and consideration not often seen in some officers. They all must have these characteristics in order to succeed and achieve. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. A forever look into a heroic legacy of charm, charisma and commitment to sacrifice for the will of the people. You'll never be forgotten. We salute your valiant actions of May 16, 1979, as they have all led to changes for the better and embellishments which may never be seen in a community where you were treasured and cherished. For what you stood for, Officer Cook, you should have been able to view and carry on with your life along with these changes. The landscape has been made much brighter by your continuous motivations to rid evil from our midst.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 9, 2015
You came from a distinguished family, Officer Cook. The lineage your family now carries is of great and very humble distinction. Because it can only be that way if one is honorable, dignified and possesses stellar integrity. When the flag from your casket was folded and presented to your widow, your beloved wife, Karen, it was plain to witness why you were a heroic savior to Dade County and its citizens. Your courageous actions lifted the spirits of those you served and protected in building the foundations of freedom, peace and unity. You were a calming influence by nature and a peacemaker who persevered through diligence, respect and mutual admiration. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The American flag represents the ideals of an entire country bonding together in times of calamity and tragedy. You were mourned and you have been remembered for having the keen vision, wisdom, intestinal fortitude and leadership capabilities along with an innate maturity to size up dilemmas which needed some one as humanely confident as yourself.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 9, 2015
A man of gentle persuasion and of humane enhancements, you were the embodiment of self preservation, Officer Cook. You were the police officer, so full of life, so rich in vigor and spirit, we the residents of Dade County looked up to you in times of distress to provide the much needed, the much anticipated hope, faith and optimism. How much humility is required from our heroes who give of themselves? I'll tell you my neighbor, friend and hero, you were there, way before that tragic day of May 16, 1979. From the moment you took your first breath until your last ounce of unwavering strength physically and of the character which supported your every movement you appeared and gave solid effort every watch. Privately and in public your whole persona was based upon how you could make this society safer and more proficient. A man of action speaks little, it is and was your conduct and commitment to excellence, achievement and courage that propelled your drive, desire and determination to succeed where others may not have. A sure light that radiates the essence of your legacy forever. Rest in peace. Beauty really is in the eyes of the beholder. A beautiful and pleasant soul of a human being, there was much left undone, Officer Cook, God knows what He is doing, He saw your missions and needed you for a much more sacred and extra special assignment guarding His pearly gates.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 8, 2015
A humble and very respected police officer such as yourself, Officer Cook, was able to lead by example others. It is such treasured heroes and heroines who by their honor and integrity act with bravery and reverence in serving and protecting the public domain. Dade County never forgets those diligent and resourceful professionals who dare to risk their lives. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 8, 2015
Before one can blend in society, one must first act in a dignified manner in their homes. For those admired and respected citizens such as yourself, Officer Cook, not many lessons on this important subject needed to be stressed. It is all in the makings of honorable men and women who protect and serve the public interest as you more than adequately did for twenty-five years, six very loyal and productive ones with the Metro-Dade Police Department. They don't come any more humbler than yourself. You were admired and beloved, a sure sign of your goodness, bravery, valor and courage. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The brightness of your treasured soul has kept on shining down on your family and colleagues. Your character and its boldness to commit your life to acts of unwavering sacrifice stay us forever and never to be forgotten. Maturity and leadership when measured against one the other always assist those in their pursuits and aspirations in both their lives and chosen endeavors. That ruler is ready to measure the strength and conviction of those who have followed your lead. Let us hope they measure up fittingly and with a proper ascent of morals that come with their chosen profession where dignity and integrity are always called upon to help both the individual and the officer who is confronting any given problem that needs resolving.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 7, 2015
God does not expect perfection from His creatures, He just expects us to try and be good citizens. Officer Cook, if there was one confession to make, it's that I should have there to help you and to save your life somehow, though I know the paramedics did their best along with the doctors in the emergency room of North Shore Hospital. You were a pious gentleman. A devoted son, brother and husband. Your dignity and honor stood for gallantry and grace along with your heroic actions of courage and bravery. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your humble enhancement of the world has stood as your humane legacy of humility. The epitome of effervescent and energetic endeavor, your achievements will forever light up this world where you served and protected the public peace, holding up the values and ethics that are expected from all police officers. Everything runs along a two way street and it is that onus which men and women who take an oath need to abide by.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 7, 2015
As a student of your profession and as a teacher of other officers you led by your examples, Officer Cook, it is plain to see why you were so well liked, admired and respected by all your peers. Yet, you never succumb to peer pressure or bad habits that some officers seem to have emblazoned on their uniforms. No, your dignity, respect, honorable intentions all were performed in an exemplary fashion. You treasured your opportunities in both your private life and in your professional role as a public servant. Make no mistake, your life my neighbor, friend and hero was one of blessing, faith and a devotion to doing good deeds, helping raise those who needed a little uplifting from time to time. Courage, valor and bravery were stenciled on your badge and uniform making those who knew you mighty proud. I look at your smile when you had your picture taken in front of our American flag, makes you want to sob like a baby and yet this was one of your happiest moments for your family, your parents, sister and beloved wife, Karen. If only I was there in your mother's home that day in 2009 when Karen, your niece, Gina, Nancy and your mother remembered your heroic life you gave on behalf of the citizens of Dade County. The boxes of Kleenex tissues would have been used up. You are missed very much. Rest in peace.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 6, 2015
Our hopes and dreams rest within our heroes and heroines of the law enforcement profession. As a happy person, Officer Cook, you saw to it that your comrades were well taken care of.The peace of any community rests squarely on each officer's shoulders as everyone must pull their own weight in this seemingly never ending battle over a vile and most inhumane villain we call evil. Those who have taken an affirmation to serve and protect the public interest never know when that very same evil may happen upon them God forbid. So long as you prepare properly, maintain a high vigilance of decorum, decency and honor, then Our Creator will stay with you guiding your loyal and fruitful pathways in life. He did for you, Officer Cook, for twenty-five years and for six years of versatility and valued service to Dade County, your humanity and humility resided within you. All of these factors have helped to accentuate the growth of your legacy of character, its strength and the unselfish boldness to stay within your commitments to pride, honor and excellence. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your life and police career have kept the spotlights of enhancement and its embellishments shining on in Dade County, Florida where you served with outstanding work ethics and a deep rooted core of resourcefulness.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 6, 2015
Sometimes one may feel no enthusiasm or other emotions while praying, you should strive to feel something causing your heart to react to the words that come from your lips. Prayer is a time for passion and you had a deep rooted passion and an unwavering commitment, Officer Cook, to become a police officer who provided quality and outstanding honesty, dignity and integrity to the hearts and souls of all Dade County residents. You epitomized the necessary qualifications to unite peace, liberty, safety and serenity as one unit. No one will ever forget your bravery, courage and valiant efforts of May 16, 1979, in which you gave your life and career to champion the causes of goodwill. Mankind never stops pursuing, my neighbor, friend and hero, your character and boldness have formed the combination of your cherished and heroic legacy. Rest in peace.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 6, 2015
I meant to say, Officer Cook, that you were a loyal and humble public servant of and for all Dade County citizens and your life should have been allowed to continue as you would have celebrated July the 4th with your family and friends. You were a devout and treasured human being who placed your hands in the arms of God where our hopes and dreams res too. The strength of character, your commitment to pride and joy have been realized by those family members and colleagues who both respected and admired your endeavors. Words are empty unless cultivated by motivation and determination all brought on through your honor, dignity and integrity. The inner power that rests within all officers must be championed for the good of society to make peace and togetherness reach their pinnacle. You aspired to become successful and the loyalty you brought to your profession stands as your legacy of character and boldness which enabled you to lead others. The power of prayer can be awfully overwhelming at times, but once it is put into practice and devotion each day, it make one very humble, even trepidation may set in. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your thoughts, dreams and desires have been cherished and saluted forever as one of our many heroes of this police community and all across this great land.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 5, 2015