Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Be like a tree in your pursuits of life and a career. Stand firm, be confident, do not boast, look to God above, the winds of reason and logic that blow from all directions and utilize tranquility when necessary and you will achieve. When you walk or run, do so with a sense of pride and proper motivation. Remember, one reaps what they sow. We live in God's humble abodes and we reside where we feel it is best for us to prosper in peace and in unity. As we live below the skies, let faith and hope carry us from one place of endeavor to another challenge. Life is a test and you passed all your tests with flying colors, Officer Cook. Faith and hope really do exist if one applies them to their daily lives and in their achievements of undertaking. You were by character the quintessential professional, the consummate police officer guided by humility, dignity and bravery never to be underscored. Your legacy is entrenched with morals and decency that can never be usurped. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 14, 2015

All that we gratefully have is because of what Our Creator has given to our parents. We commit to sharing with others, we endeavor to feed those less fortunate than us. We cloth those who need. God gives us the gift of life and it is in that power that we try to restore, uplift and safeguard this very valuable resource. As holy people we come together in times of joy and in sorrow. We remind ourselves of all that blossoms and blooms, for it is in Your power to nourish and provide life, meaning and substance to all. All of your life, Officer Cook, you worked hard to provide for yourself and your beloved wife, Karen. Your honor, your dignity and firm integrity assisted you through your patrols of Dade County streets where you were revered and admired by all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. For the time you were here in this world doing good deeds and living a healthy life, being a devout gentleman and most importantly remaining humble is how you'll always be remembered.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 14, 2015

Thank God for wonderfully courageous and intellectually thinking and fast thinking brave women and men of the law enforcement field. Officer Cook, you were one of the many brothers and sisters who decided when you were young people to become a police officer. With skill, humility and hard work and an arduous schedule you stayed the course, persevered and did become a truly qualified public servant that all Dade County residents came to know, admire and respect. We offer our blessings to God for imparting the wisdom, the dignity, the honor and grace that is expected from all professionals who patrol their communities, bringing relief from evil and affording all people with liberty, peace and unity along with justice properly dispersed among all. It was your caring approaches to life and the dedication so mandatory in carrying out an integral job. Remembered and revered, thank God for instilling basic intelligence in our officers today. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Officer Cook, we all wish you were with us today helping to dish out common sense along with some level of sanity to your peers.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 13, 2015

Humble, helpful and humane, words that stick to a person's character like putting concrete and cement together. They help bond each other together. After all, liberty, peace and unity are the necessary means and tools by which all people come together even in times of crisis and misfortune. You were there for six devoted and dedicated years of service with a smile. You honored and respected authority. You understood what it took to get the assignment done right and properly the first time. You meant the world to all people, your family, colleagues and many personal friends. You believed in yourself and it was your maturity and fairness that allowed you the opportunity to lead other comrades. You were quite likable and very engaging, comrades smiled, they laughed and when it was time to go out on the streets to patrol, the air of solemnness could be located all around you. I was not there that awful day of May 16, 1979, but I can only imagine the perils that you, Officer Cook, your partner that day, Reserve Officer Scott Lincoln and your comrades from the Central Division, Officers DIGenova and Edgerton must have been facing. When troubled people are out there with a weapon, whatever they possess, there is no telling with might transpire. You did your part, though not dispatched, your answered the call of duty as calmly and as rationally as you could. A situation you handled many times before, as stated you were good at domestic calls and it was your humility that saw and steered you through to a peaceful resolution. Now God has you in His safekeeping to watch over His golden streets and help Him protect those who assumed your post with the same braveness, honesty and compelling dignity and vital integrity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. A life cut too short, a watch that ended, a legacy to be eternally continued and perpetuated all by your love and humbleness to serve and never to be forgotten. Officer Cook, you were a true hero and a valued member of society.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 13, 2015

Integrity is a word that can denote various meanings. Intuitive, neat and organized, terrific, energetic, gregarious, resourceful, intellectual, timing and yearning, all words that somehow must find their way into every police officer's jargon. To be able to safeguard the public interest as a loyal and faithful public servant, one must declare their going to be honest in all their professional dealings with the public and foremost be of dignified character with no personal axes so to speak to grind. To sum things up, Officer Cook, this was the way you handled all situations in your personal life and at work. It surely never led you astray. You were present to lend a helping hand whenever called upon and your bravery, courage and valor most always circumvented any problems that may have arisen. The citizens of Dade County have spoken and they have come to expect nothing less from their heroines and heroes of which forever you will remain. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 13, 2015

We thank you O Lord and blessed is Your name. The hands of Your toil do provide the miracles of creation and the work of our hands with You steering them help us to nurture all that is given to us by God. Our bodies and souls are the lives that are sustained by Your daily watch. It is our mothers with our fathers help who give birth and provide the necessary life for us to live, breathe, laugh and play. We come together as one nation to celebrate the marvels and joys that life provides us and with the Lord's blessings we acknowledge all that we are provided with. You provided quality service and assurance, Officer Cook, that nothing bad would ever befall us. Officers always have to deal with a bevy of circumstances and a multitude of problems that need solving and resolving. You were the best at your professional position because you handled yourself with integrity, honor and a determined dignity which can never be understated. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. With an assortment of perplexing dilemmas and with a guarded and a self-confident reliance upon dealing openly and fairly with all citizens were you, Officer William C. Cook, Badge#1664, a beloved and a most valued and esteemed public servant. Dade County can always rely upon its brave, courageous and valiant heroes and heroines to come through in crunch time. It was a relief for people to see you drive your patrol car with the number two on it. You were number one in the hearts of all, you still are number one, one of God's humble angels watching over us for eternity where nothing will ever harm you, you should never have been harmed to begin with as you too had rights and a life with many unfulfilled plans yet to complete. Your family members will try to fortify and finish the work you left behind and carry on your legacy very proudly, loudly and with great resolve.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 12, 2015

As we light candles at our tables, may our toils of labor uplift our spirits as we give thanks to Our Lord who has created this world. The wine we drink is one of our sources of life, the bread and other fine foods we consume remind us to thank God for giving us His bounty. We wash our hands, which calls to mind the holiness of our bodies, our hands which touch the food we pick up to eat. We offer a prayer over bread our main staple and after we eat and are satisfied we bless the Lord for all His rations. It is the source that comes from the earth and provides us with nourishment to satisfy our souls as they sustain us in times of distress and hunger. From all that you meant to this world, Officer Cook, I'm quite sure as devout as you and Karen were you offered your prayers both day and night. You were raised devoutly Catholic and the lessons between your religion and other religions are how we can maintain dignity and honor in all of our lives. Constant practice helps to maintain us from wickedness which brave people like yourself help to quell. The Metro-Dade Police Department and all Dade County residents certainly can be glad for its heroes and heroines of yesterday, today and tomorrow. You calmed people in times of excitement which headed off more dire consequences. Respected, admired, loved by your family and most certainly missed by all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. As we get ready to sit down to our next meals, let us stop and gives thanks for humbly bodied public servants such as yourself, Officer Cook. Your parents as I've said many times would be extremely proud of your heroic feats of action in serving and protecting. Your life and career indeed were a mirror image of one another. it's no mirage you were there when the going got tough. It's those who are disciplined enough that can prepare and offer the most assistance to others. You were one of the many who were properly trained to go out and do battle with this element of evil.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 12, 2015

We eat, drink and sleep in solitude because of your undying energy to serve and protect our homes and properties, Officer Cook. May we seek the rewards of heaven for having done all this is prudent and proper in the eyes of all. We ask for Your blessings God for giving us the power to both meet and greet all folks. Our tables have been set for all including our foes to meet and discuss our differences. We give thanks for both your life and police career, Officer Cook and the infectious spirit you maintained while happily overseeing the dignity of one and all. May we not ever lose sight nor touch with those loving public servants who have given their lives in courage. bravery and valor for our liberties to continue. The simple pleasures of life, the joys we experience have never been lost since that day of May 16, 1979, when you, Officer William C. Cook, made the ultimate sacrifice that has and will always enhance the landscape of the Dade County community where you were revered, respected, cherished and treasured. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, it's those simple pleasures and joys that you should still be taking part of with your family members. You are missed very much!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 11, 2015

Friends and comrades of all law enforcement officers, let us pause and give our sincere thanks for the unselfish acts of bravery, courage, valor and discipline that is displayed daily by our own loving heroes and heroines. These citizens just like us have loving and cherished families, they have rights, they go out in their communities knowing all risks of life involved and attempt to undo the violence that threatens the very fabric of our society. They are our sources of life, the foundation and beacon of our being from which they try to maintain liberty, peace and unity for all residents. You did this very superbly, Officer Cook, for six solid years of loyal and faithful devotion, determination and dedication to all people. God gives us plenty of bounty, water to quench our thirsts, more notable He gave us yourself, one of His many humble and admired police officers who served and protected the public interest quite marvelously. All living is dignified and holy, yours my neighbor, friend and hero was one bound in mutual respect, love and admiration for a job well done. For all officers to rightly conduct their professional business, they must have pure hearts and solid constitutions. Their performances must be beyond reproach and they must resist temptation and have stellar character. Each person is made according to how Our Creator sees fit and this trait manifest itself in your formative years, Officer Cook. We nurture our bodies as they are our vehicles for giving, thinking, thanking and sharing. We sustain ourselves in times of trouble and distress, something you were quite accomplished at maintaining. Our aspirations stay alive this day and forever because of your dreams to become an excellent police officer. Our quest for harmony was your quest and your patrols took you around Dade County in modesty and with an instilled integrity that was surrounded with honor and humility. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 11, 2015

As our Eternal spirit of truth, justice and love for all beings, allow us to nurture our freedoms for what we deem as proper. As our police officers commit to our security with honor, dignity, integrity and proper respect for the positions they engage in. It is only for our best interests that they serve us with a sound body and a proper frame of mind. Let them sustain us in times of trouble and distress, give them the wisdom and the intellect to rightfully pursue any wickedness which casts a cloud over our bright blue skies. Their bounty, their commitment to excellence shall too not be clouded by doubt, deceit or obstacles which may further hinder their surveillance over us here in Dade County. They are our champions of hope, optimism and new sights that we set our goals to achieve each day the sun comes up. You were a man of hope, Officer Cook and many more things that your stellar character and ethical conduct allowed you to accomplish. To say more time should have been afforded you would be quite an understatement. God does determine our lots in life and yours was well paved and regarded for twenty-five years of aspiration, inspiration, optimism and renewal for all Dade County residents because of your maturity and self-confidence in dealing with all dilemmas that came your way. The courage you maintained, the bravery and boldness you brought to your profession have only enhanced your loving legacy. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. If there ever was a real Godsend, Officer Cook, you were placed in the right venue to stand in for us and to be face to face in combating evil. May 16, 1979, tragically was that day you solemnly stood right at the epicenter and delivered the same truly professional proficiency. Let us hope we can summon the same level of courage and compassion as you had for all people regardless of who they were. The have rights and feelings just as you possessed. Nothing will ever take away your humane feats of remarkable resolve. As the years move on since you left us, as the saying on your gravestone says, "We Shall Be One." Let us be united in peace, freedom and true justice for all. Words surely to both live by and to carry on our lives with them attached to our hearts.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 10, 2015

The bounty God provides us with we offer our thanks and appreciation. When the sun comes up we bask in its glow and when it sets, we look up at the big moon in the dark blue skies at night, sort of like peering at a giant marshmallow. The work of all Our Creator's creatures, human beings and the animals that live and roam around us we applaud them for their efforts. Police officers distinguish themselves in that they constantly place their lives in jeopardy each day so we can remain safe, secure and be able to achieve that which we pursue. May we be abundantly blessed with good health, renewed vigor and the joy to enjoy these fruits that result from our tasks. And may our love and respect be afforded us. You diligently worked very hard for all of us to accomplish, Officer Cook and because of your vigor and valor that we are able to keep your cherished spirit alive and well in all that we set our sights on fulfilling. You were the ever faithful and resourceful police officer who will always be treasured and remembered for taking the baton and bravely having the gumption to serve and protect no matter what the conditions were. The climate of Dade County citizens has been set as the bar has been placed high for all future officers to achieve everything that you set your mind and body to succeed at. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your colleagues and yourself, Officer Cook, as courageous and as dignified and honorable as you were can now bask forever in God's eternal glory. A true hero and an even more humbler and proficient officer and a gentleman. You all led your lives as heroes and heroines, separating yourselves from those who would not dare to dream big, to aspire to reach higher plateaus, and finally to be our saviors and protectors from all evil which still pervades in this world.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 10, 2015

Earth, air, water and fire combined help make our bounty. Countless people have passed because of starvation, may we be healthy and nourished so that we can achieve whatever we set our minds to accomplish. The truth of the matter is when police officers or anyone acts honestly, with staunch dignity and irreverent integrity, something goo dis sure to occur. You did your job by this mantra, Officer Cook and never brought shame or disgrace to anyone. Dade County owes officers who served and protected us with the utmost respect and honor to be saluted for having the bravery, courage and valor to persevere. Your actions of boldness, humbly demonstrated why we still maintain many highly admired officers who would never tarnish their badges nor disrespect their uniforms they wear with succinct solemness. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. By all God's elements did you execute with humility all your duties securing the peace, liberty and unity for all humankind.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 9, 2015

Each new day we feel and seek God's presence, it's the beacon of our lives and in large part what steers each one of us to success. The sun comes up and goes down at nightfall, but, it is up too us as to how we can live, thrive and prosper. We awaken refreshed to jumpstart a new chapter in our lives. Since God decides our comings and goings, we must act with a certain rapidity. You acted this way, Officer Cook, you woke up bright and early to begin your day, your beloved wife, Karen, was at your side through it all. You both handled your professions with the utmost epitome of honesty, dignity and solid integrity. Your courage and valor will only be remembered for the truly gentleman and fantastic police officer that you were. Quality and compassion when working as one bring about the desired results of one's attempts to channel that which was implanted within their beings. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 9, 2015

We open our eyes and go outdoors to listen to the various sounds coming from our own ecosystem. We look up to the very big and bright sun as it guides us in daily directions. We grow up happy and cheerful, beauty is quite revealing. We make today and everyday count. We treasure the moments with our loved ones. That is why were share and certainly cherish all the important moments, they are all significant with our beloved heroes and heroines from law enforcement. Your family loved you, Officer Cook and wished that you could still be here. You very much are with them in spirit and because of your bravery and courage that was channeled into making Dade County better than ever, you always be regarded as a truly humble and most admired hero. Salutations and solemn salutes are what will now and forever precede your stellar character and good name in the eyes of all people. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your honor, unwavering commitment and dignified concern all are the continuation of your loving legacy. Police officers resolve are the eyeopeners that we've all come to expect. You captured bliss and the enchanted beauty of all nature, Officer Cook. Now Our Lord is steering your camera from one place, one point to another. When someone we admire puts their all on the line, we stand up and all take notice. Feats of faith and loyalty stand literally at our own two feet and can withstand anything that might break them down. We know that can never be unhinged or snapped in half.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 8, 2015

O God, I'm squinting and can't see much. As I retire to sleep, I pray that God judges me favorably as I gaze at the big bright moon outside. When I wake up, may I be welcomed by the warmth and comfortable feeling of the warm sun. You always brought God into your life and in your career, Officer Cook, it is and was the warmth of His presence in which you ably and humbly basked in. One can never go wrong if they endeavor to cleave to Our Creator. In times of hope, despair and isolation we are forever protected. And your service to Dade County was born out of love, honesty, respect and admiration. Your commitment began and still prevailed even on your last day on this earth. You are missed beyond what words could describe. Relentless in all your caring, consideration, consolidation and cooperation from all, may we reap the rewards for which you humanely gave your life for the peace, liberty and unity where it was most noticeable. Our journeys can be complete in trying to reach our goals, to see the true light at the end of the tunnel because of your shining soul that still illuminates the darkness still inflicting us. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, if not for your fierce drive and determination, if not for your fearless eye to eye face down with evil who knows what more might have occurred on May 16, 1979? It's hard to just say rest well my dear friend, those words just bring tears to one's eyes, those who loved you and admired you. God knows He only takes His bravest to patrol His golden streets where you'll be safe and secure for eternity. Regards to your family, Officer Cook and to your esteemed friend, Chief Geoffrey Jacobs.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 8, 2015

The morning finally arrives and with it comes gladness and goodwill. We greet God's dawn with our praises that we accomplish in good health, peace and security. We retire to our beds to rest for the night, all the while God takes our souls to judge whether we are worthy of another day of both chance and opportunity. We inhale, the leaves blow in the wind, everything moves in all directions, a new day, a new chapter of our live sis once again rewritten. Birds soar above the sunny skies above, where mystery and intrigue lies ahead of us. Marvelous and alluring, sacred and mundane, one never truly knows what God is thinking. It happens each day where the children of God run around and play. You played and entertained guests while off duty, Officer Cook. Your dreams to become a very fine police officer took off like those birds soaring oh so high. Thank God we can breathe fresh air in our lungs all because of your unselfish and truly inspired honesty and integrity. Each day and night can we smile and greet one another because of your vigilance on the street. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, your spirit soars mighty high because of your humble feats of action and loyalty to all mankind. Your dreams, aspirations and inspirations are the torch you lit forty-two years ago, they will never be extinguished. Officers who carry this public trust must remain calm and careful, very cautious as to how they proceed. Life is too holy and precious to carry on in a lackadaisical manner.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 7, 2015

Great dreams are the mysteries that lie awake at night while we slumber. For You Lord have brought us home safely for another day and for all to witness another sunset. Dreams are a very healthy part of life even when some may not be good. Our fantasies sometimes are left to shelter, we nourish our bodies so that we may serve with even more fuel in our beings. We offer our prayers for all that You deliver. For the children born each moment we thank God they are healthy and able to grow up and be rather successful. Each new day brings surprises and no telling what else. It is up to us to be friendly and cheerful. Honorable and dignified are also themes that one can share with others. You shared with others, Officer Cook and it only produced wonderfully positive results. You were our protector and most trusted public servant whose sacrifice brought forth peace, liberty and unity to all Dade County residents who have come to expect no less from their brave and courageous women and men of the law enforcement profession. Your role was as important as any of our heroes and heroines. Your profound preoccupation was our security has helped not only shape, but remake to a large degree what has taken place here in Dade County all these years later. Rest in peace in Our Creator's everlasting long arms as He has sheltered you from any harm coming your way again. It's great to dream, but we should just remember that planning and fortitude have helped us shape who we really are. Our identifications are our most trusted resource and should be properly utilized at all times while we breathe and walk on this planet.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 7, 2015

Basic actions call for reverence and from heaven above do we all seek to bask in Your glory. From light to light and from dark to dark do we seek out Your advice. Advice and help that nothing may go wrong. I'm pretty sure police officers and their families seek out God in times of trouble and need, looking for whatever edge they can gain in this war against wickedness that can tear apart, a nation, a community and its people who try to keep a positive outlook on life. This was a central theme of your career and terrific life, Officer Cook, even though you were tragically taken from your colleagues and loving family members way too soon. All assembled that sad day of May 19, 1979, a Saturday afternoon at St. Mary's Cathedral to bade you a fond farewell for a job well done and kudos for maintaining a semblance of calm in the Dade County venue where tensions ran high. All lips were quivering with sadness as were all eyes that moment, not one dry eye. You humbly and lovingly deserved all the accolades that one can have bestowed upon them. You gave each day solemn deliberation before acting and it was your maturity, leadership along with honor and dignity that helped you see things as they were. It was a sunny day that day and so too on May 16, 1979, when you laid down your life for the peace and prosperity of not only a nation, your area of assignment, but an entire world which mourned your loss. Cherished and treasured in life, celebrated and humanely saluted for your service to mankind. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Whatever the weather outside tomorrow, we know there are brighter days ahead because of your inspiring wisdom and intelligence when trying to solve any dilemmas that needed figuring out. Calibrating and calculating usually lead to resolutions that may take the average person a little longer to figure out. We walk through the mazes of life, you walked through them, Officer Cook and you handled yourself quite humbly. Your parents and sister would be very proud of you. Showing boldness in the face of evil and swiftness to stop something more serious than we could ever realize.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 6, 2015

Morning breaks and the daylight greets us with yet another opportunity to further enhance our society. But while acting we must be very careful as to what lurks around us. It's the hidden factors that may and can influence us into doing something deemed improper and totally dishonest. This is what all law abiding citizens have to stay clear from and it was your job, Officer Cook, to see us through thick and thin. Through trial and error, you always endeavored to be a force in the Dade County community where resolve and resiliency produce the best results. Then all residents can sing or chant their praises of your brave and unselfish acts of goodwill spread out in the community you so loved and enjoyed serving and protecting. We pray with elation, we offer our thoughts with a most passive joy for it is through the many courageous and valiant heroes and heroines that we ought to be thankful for. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, the morning dew comes, the afternoons may bring showers, when all is clear we feel most at ease for your personally loyal, faithful and unwavering commitment to confront this evil which still rears its ugliness. You went by the book and maintained a sterling reputation among your peers who knew how endearing you were to both them and your department.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 6, 2015

We live each moment as our eyes are lit with compassion. Police officers patrol the four corners of their areas of assignment, it may be lighter from the sunlight one place, cloudier on another side. Our feet takes us as far as they may, our decency takes us all around, as long as one displays this code of conduct things can be unlimited. We ask from the God the courage to confront the good and evil and pray that one day peace, freedom and togetherness will be the rule. We walk forward, Officer Cook, with your blessings of serenity, good health and all the honesty, dignity and valor that surely followed you all your days and years of both your outstanding life and par excellence career as a Metro-Dade Police Officer. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, we give thanks for your wonderful examples on how to live and pursue a career where sometimes a thank you gets lost in the translation. If we are not so compassionate that is a fault that lies beneath us. You were so brave and swift to act as you did, Officer Cook, on May 16, 1979, when tensions that day will brewing beyond the comprehension of any man, woman or child. Your dossier is humbly full of commendations for your excellent performances beyond the official calls of duty. They will never be forgotten.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 5, 2015

We wake up hopefully as a lion is as swift at taking down its prey to consume. At the time the sun comes up we await and then begin tackling all of our daily chores. We greet each day with a smile and then wonder where will our trails lead us to? Your professional callings, Officer Cook, led you down the road of solemn commitment and an integral sense of integrity with dignity rightfully falling behind all your patrols throughout the Dade County community. The residents were always grateful for your bravery, valor and courageous pursuits. You were my neighbor, friend and hero the humble epitome of excellence along with absolute resolve and a most profound diligence. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 5, 2015

The sun shines down on us with its big yellow ball of glowing warmth and comfort. We wake each morning hopefully refreshed and a glow as a new day bring its challenges to each. We live each moment as our eyes a lit with compassion. You looked at each day, Officer Cook, as an opportunity to further enhance this world and your community where you grew up. Dade County, Liberty City where you gave your young life to deliver peace, prosperity and prominence to an area striving, yet struggling to discover its own identity. Badge#1664 belonging to you my neighbor, friend and hero was noticed and known for the honesty and humane actions that were a lifetime association with you as you wore your police uniform with exactly that and more. Desire and decency are always expected from any public servant and you brought much more to a profession where morals and ethical conduct belong on the same street as all good people do. Rest in peace Officer Cook, those who have succeeded you need to stay straight and not go astray, society and its inhabitants demand this. We struggle at times, we may fall, but it is those who rise that will be victorious in the end of this seemingly never ending battle against wickedness.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 4, 2015

Resilient, resolute, reliable and responsible all phrases, words that fit rather nicely in a police officer's daily approach to handling anything that comes their way. Confident and competent were also words that fit your dialogue among all residents, Officer Cook. To live and to love is to forgive. To tell a lie, you must look up to the sky, where God above judges and rules as we rest, work, whatever interests us. To be a hero is greater than any zero added to a number. To be humble is not to fumble, to squander any chances of success away. To simply try your best doesn't require a lot of zest. Just put forth a little endeavor. Just try, Our Creator in the sky will assist us with the rest. Because remember life from birth is a big test. A test to see if we measure up to the day to day expectations that life and work bring together, to mesh as one unit. We are challenged in so many ways, just stay the course, don't give up, don't be a pompous, loud-mouthed bragger who just sits and waits for things to fall into place. Your humbleness will take care of everything if you are courteous, honest, decent, civil and intellectually dignified and comport yourself with stellar integrity. You'll be able to sing, all of God's praises as each day the flag is raised to the top. Every feat is unique. Every obstacle encourages that you can make a difference, you can accomplish, you can be your yourself, staying within your own identity. Even the weak, the impaired can seek something out and make a positive difference in this society. Society bears this out, no need to pout, just water your flowers with a big spout. All your bravery and valiant actions everyday and including on May 16, 1979, Officer Cook, have validated your stellar life, your police career at the Metro-Dade Police Department and further substantiated your legacy among all police heroes and heroines not just in Dade County, Florida, all around this nation and the world. Bravery and honor can only meet when one truly attempts to make a commitment to change a negative into a positive, something you did quite well for six years and many more if not for the wanton act of evil perpetrated against yourself, my neighbor, friend and hero, your other colleagues wounded and nearly lost that awful day we lost you at the hands of a troubled, depressed, whatever adjectives one wants to describe that young man. You both had rights, as a police officer you protected and served us guaranteeing those rights, freedoms, peacefulness and the unity all communities demand. How can the residents be any more grateful? Rest in peace. Your maturity beyond your years combined with your intelligence produced one faithful and a humbly top notch officer to be forever saluted for your actions. Officer Cook, superlatives only begin to innumerate your upstanding and outstanding life and equally excellent commitment to all people. We all recognize one may have to sacrifice their lives for our liberties, it is the one violates these God-given rights to whom we wonder why? One moment of violence can never, I repeat can never take away your good name and character, Officer Cook. You are missed very much and will always be regarded as a man of action and humility.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 4, 2015

I meant to say, Officer Cook, that God makes our hearts tender and in a way this assists us in being more compassionate towards one another. Police officers have to be hard-hearted and yet have pity, empathy and compassion for all residents they serve and protect. Your six years of loyal and dignified service were characterized by honesty and the essential values of virtue combined with a resounding vigilance. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, God's diligent in looking after all of His golden and treasured guardian angels.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 3, 2015

Everyday is a time to pray, reflect and to take a small humble step to assess what we could have done better to make this world a bit more promising. Resolutions are nice, but they do not carry much clout unless we sincerely aim to achieve something even so small and what may seem moot or mundane. We arise to the sounds of our alarm clocks or just our body clocks that notify us that we've had enough sleep, our proper nightly rest. The winds blow outside of our windows and yet we know that we must go to our work to make ends meat, our sustenance. Some arise before the dawning of the sun, you got up early on May 16, 1979 and left your home for work. Your colleagues were a part of your extended family and they never had worries nor concerns on how you would compose yourself. You handled the torch of your department and community with class and reverence that still is lit today for all future officers to follow. It is up to them, Officer Cook, to maintain both honor and dignity when out on patrol, they can never go wrong. while trying to stay safe, let us all pray they keep watching us as you do from the heavens above. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, keep looking down on us with the same common sense and composure that allowed you to handle the rigors of your chosen career, a profession you proudly represented among all public servants. Thank God you were a humble and cherished individual whose faith enabled you to serve us with loyalty and stellar candor.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 3, 2015