Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven. A time to be born, a time to pass, a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted. People, we call work addicts are shocked, flummoxed by the very notion of seasonality. To most of us there are four seasons, we perform our jobs to earn a livelihood for ourselves and families. Ant time is the correct time to accomplish something. No time is the right time to rest as one reaps what they sow. Life is not endless and the job, the police profession is not only one of the most dangerous, it's quite demanding and usually lasts more than a normal eight hour workday. We work, we play, we spend the taciturn moments with our loved ones making certain we derive as much pleasure from them as we can. And you were no different, Officer Cook, you cherished your family, you treasured your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook. You were a self-made, a humanely confident individual one gave his all to live your life, fulfill your dreams and aspirations to become a top notch police officer with the Metro-Dade Police Department. You could tell a joke and people would immediately feel at ease. Devotion, dedication, desire, determination and durabilty allowed you the chance to better patrol, serve and protect Dade County residents. Your herculean efforts on May 16, 1979 will never go out of sight or out of the mind of those comrades you saved along with those three civilians who will forever be indebted to you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, for every season you planted the seeds of justice, freedom, unity and those morals and standards of ethical conduct that are so essential to the balance of power in how we lead and live our lives. Still how to really comprehend why someone was so bent on harming or ending the lives of our beloved men and women of law enforcement who display the bravery, courage and fortitude needed to do their jobs.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 5, 2014

A man must learn to forgive himself. Our self-ridicule goes deep. We learn as children to be harsh judges, fearing we not worthy of someone's praise of us. You were by nature an easy going man, Officer Cook, so forgiving someone was nothing out of the ordinary for you. There can be no mistaking your sincere and valiant efforts to bring turmoil and torment to a head, eradicating wanton violence from Dade County's streets, allowing its residents opportunities to prosper as one. The soothing and calming voice of your stellar character is greatly missed as is your vivid sense of human humor coupled with your congenial attitude. A man for all seasons whose free spirit now soars higher than any kite flown. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Today, I visited your grave, you'll never be out of my sight or mind.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 4, 2014

Tomorrow is always the busiest day of the week. Each new day is and can definitely be an adventure for any police officer. We cannot undo the past, yesterday, but we can sure try to fix and cleanup the present. If we could have back that dreadfully tragic day of May 16,1979, when you gave your life in the line of duty, Officer Cook, for all of Dade County, the entire nation and police society, I'd be at the front of the line and I'm only a civilian. You looked at life, enjoyed your life and career, took it as a challenge, backing down from no one, stood tall and were a calming person that all your comrades looked up to in a time of crisis. It all goes back to how you were raised. The epitome, the epicenter of your family was honesty and integrity. Your handshake was your word and it was your actions that did converse louder than ever. Boldness and bravery were linked to you and how you wore your badge and uniform. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, as one of the many heroes of the past, the success of those you served and protected can live a more safer and sounder future. I still wish I had the privilege to have known you, knowing your family members, brings a little comfort to me and my family, having met Gina, her family and being in your parents home, even if I sobbed like a baby. many did that on May 19, 1979, as they said their goodbyes for now to you for a job well done. You were the inspiration to all who carry your torch now.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 4, 2014

Identify your highest skill and devote your time to performing it. Delegate all other skills. What made you most happy and proud, Officer Cook, was your upbringing by your loving parents, your marriage to a very beautiful, loving and caring woman in Karen and your police career with the Metro-Dade Police Department. Since you were the consummate officer who could multi-task quite efficiently, this enabled you to delegate from time to time other colleagues who were under your direction. An officer requests assistance when necessary and learns from each experience that is thrust upon them. God placed upon you, Officer Cook, plenty of useful tools to carry at your disposal to dispense justice in a fair and common sense manner. But it was the honor, reverence for the position, your bravery, valor and courage that helped steer you through your patrols of Dade County streets. They don't come any more humbler, kinder and more compassionate than yourself. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 4, 2014

Do not be fearful of going slowly, be only afraid of standing still. Police work is not a marathon. It is dangerous work, yet if one succeeds in it, it is because one measures, contemplates and assesses every unique dilemmas that comes before them. One make rational choices based on sound logic and rationale. They try never to freeze up. You trusted your basic instincts, Officer Cook, to put yourself in the best position to succeed based on your tactful plans of action. Judgment and timing can be everything, if May 16, 1979, was any witness to this account, we do not need to look any further. Your boldness to act, your tenacity to tackle what seemed to be a situation deemed serious enough that you acted to save your comrades and those three civilians, truly what police officers honest, carrying courage, bravery and valor together is what you represented to all citizens. You made your family and everybody proud and mindful. Never to be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your sacrifice did bring about the creation of those side panels for officers in your department, although it should not have ever come to this. Astute and detailed assisted you in becoming one of Metro-Dade Police Department's finest.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 3, 2014

We learn as much from sorrow as from joy, as much from illness as from health, from handicap as from advantage and indeed perhaps more. You were a healthy and happy person growing up, Officer Cook, like so many of us, you were on a mission to succeed mightily in your dreams and desire to become a police officer. A daunting task,but you were up to the challenge because once you set your mind to accomplish something, you saw it through to its fruition. Every life experience has the capacity to challenge us to realize and to accept that we can persevere. I meant to say in the last reflection, that by being even-keeled and steady can get the job done in a most proficient manner. Having your humble life and very promising career cut way too short by the violence of a beserk man provides this challenge to stare reality down and yet it offers the hope that we can channels our passions properly to achieve whatever it is in life that we choose to pursue. Police officers like anyone else learn from adversity as well as inadversity.If things always went right we would never learn anything. One lesson we can learn from your untimely passing is to live your life as a hero. And that you did for twenty-five fruitful and blessed years. Etiquette, discipline, devotion, dignity, grace and integrity were what escorted you down the pathways of accomplishment, which in turn lead you to better serve and protect all Dade County residents in enhancing and holding the torch of freedom, peace and unity more firmly. I know people need to move on in life and that would be your fondest wish, but I will never forget, nor shall any person forget what you meant as a gentleman, a kind soul and a caring and concerned police officer. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 3, 2014

It is not the mountain we conguer, but ourselves. It's this beast of a mountain we try to climb by setting too many unrealistic goals and expectations we place upon ourselves. Life is about being happy, healthy and making rational choices based on sound logic and a cunning intellect. You achieved, Officer Cook, because you took chances, yet make sound choices based upon the morals and values of which you were raised. Once you married Karen, it became a collective effort for both of you to stay the course. You each knew the risks of your profession, a career that has rewards for those who are fortunate to carry out their passions with honor, rigor, a little fortune and yet observe all the rules and standards as prescribed by their department. You did everything asked of you both physically and mentally, Our Creator had a very special calling for His loyal, faithful and treasured angels. My neighbor, friend and hero as one of over twenty-one thousand finely trained, observant, brave and courageous officers, it is now on God's eternal watch that you observe others carry out the blueprint of justice where freedom, peace and unity were bonded together with all in mind. You were an integral part of Dade County's master piece plan. Rest in peace. Punctual, persevering, proud, accountable, dependable and reliable were Officer William. C. Cook's many strengths that accentuated your humble life and career. A very tall order for most to duplicate. But being steady and even-keeled can get the job do in a most proficient manner.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 2, 2014

Everybody talks about wanting to change things and help, also fix, but ultimately all you can do is fix yourself. And that's asking a lot, because if you can fix yourself, it then takes on a ripple effect. And this change starts with us. Police officers have to be able to adapt to any changes or variations in their assignments. At times they must be done expeditiously and without fail. Curbing one's this ego, adhering to self-control, this must be done with honesty, dignity and integrity. I believe this is a challenge most can meet or maybe even exceed. Officer Cook, you knew your boundaries, met most schedules, carried out assignments with honor, vim. vigor and sheer devotion. Your sacrifice, your heroic action on May 16, 1979, has created that so called ripple effect in our society today. You practiced as you preached and your sincere dedication won't go unnoticed. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The calming demeanor you displayed on behalf of Dade County citizens back in your day, Officer Cook, we pray it continues to prevail among those who succeeded you. Let us pray, hope and see if they can continue their fruitful attempts to stamp out wickedness from these streets that at times can be unforgiving and quite dangerous as well. You were the consummate professional in calming down those whose tempers boiled over like a pot of hot water.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 2, 2014

As I leave these reflections, I do hope that your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook is doing well, your sister, Nancy and her children and their families the same. You should all be healthy, happy and prosperous in all of life's endeavors. Happy Labor Day! I still visit your son, brother, uncle and great-uncle's grave. He was a giant of a man, a superb police officer, who graced us all with his love, sense of humor, kindred, free spirit, but more and most importantly with his humane and honest, caring and compassionate sense of fair play and justice in seeing liberty, unity and peace carried equitably among all people. He performed a job that he dreamed to become with diligence and hard work, he dealt with chaotic issues calmly and candidly. Officer Cook, your discipline, your determination is one of the very principles as to why we have a Labor Day holiday to enjoy boating, the beach and picnics, something you and your beloved wife, Karen should be doing now as well. So before we put mustard or ketchup on those hot dogs, stop for a few moments and pause on what you inspired to be as we can reflect back on a rather marvelous life and career, cut way too short by a crazy man's wanton violence. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 1, 2014

Experience teaches us this; that we undo ourselves with impatience. At times people tend to act in a superhuman manner. Going beyond their abilities and capacities. Even the behavior tends to be like that of a grouse, demanding, commanding, ordering people around without any real justification. Impatience can certainly bring down or ruin an entire police department, its divisions and those sworn officers who risk their lives to serve and protect our basic fundamental rights, freedoms and dignities. Malcontents have no place in law and order, like a disease they can spread quite rapidly in a squad room. By your nature, Officer Cook, you were a very happy and content person, who like most any officer in your time accepted the demands, met all challenges head on, face to face. You solidified those officers under your leadership with your courage, honor, humbleness and a vivid calming influence which was brought about through your wisdom and maturity. I read the article written in the book, "Forgotten Heroes," it said the young man who took your life was troubled and "in love," well you were an honest, loyal and dedicated public servant who took to the streets to wipe evil off of them. You too were "in love" and had much more to live for. I know Karen would echo these sentiments. You were an honest person, faithfully devout, never a troublemaker, you were not depressed, you just tried to calm a situation in which you and your comrades were met with gunfire, as were the three civilians, his girlfriend, who he shot and her girlfriend, also shot and wounded. If he could have received any counseling beforehand, maybe all this could have been avoided. But nonetheless, you'll remain a hero for your actions that day of May 16, 1979, headed off what might have transpired into more violence and bloodshed. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, your patience and perseverance paid dividends towards the quality of those residents in Dade County who are forever grateful to you.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 1, 2014

Th.e secret of genius is to carry the spirit of childhood into maturity. Amen brothers and sisters. Kids ask questions, loads of them and we as parents try our best to create lucid and rational responses that will only be of benefit to all their future endeavors. Your wonderfully loving parents, Officer Cook, Mr. and Mrs. Cook, were the reasons you and Nancy, grew up to become honorable, hard working individuals. Your foundation to a brighter career with the Metro-Dade Police Department began its genesis in North Miami Beach, Florida. Given all that you were given in the sense that most of us have to work quite hard to achieve any level of success, not being handed anything on a silver platter or having a golden spoon. You worked, Officer Cook, you persevered to accomplish, pleasing and bringing a modest pride to your parents. If your dad, Charles, may he too rest in peace, had lived to see you become a police officer, his heart like your mother's would have gushed with extreme honor and a profound sense of proudness. He was watching from the heavens above and was he ever quite happy. You grew up, matured into a man, a gentleman who had a thirst and huge quest for knowledge that you imparted to other officers. The sense of wonder, of spontaneity, of endless possibility never got lost in the police translation of how you conducted your daily professional business for those residents who came to know and respect you. Your heroic actions of May 16, 1979 will always stand front and center. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, you were never isolated, you only insulated people with your goodwill spreading peace and unity among an entire area where you faithfully toiled.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 31, 2014

You can handle people more successfully by enlisting their feelings than by convincing their reason. People can be hard-headed, stubborn at times and yet when an important decision needs to be made, it needs made in the best interests of not only the department and its officers, but for the sake of the citizens in their communities as well. You were an openly receptive person and police officer, Officer Cook, you carefully planned and thought out ideas that were not just connected to emotion, but to logic and reason. Of course your appealing style of policing the streets of Dade County being firm, yet employing a calming voice of alacrity sure paid dividends for most of your career. Being loyal, faithful and elucidating what needed to get done at that moment was what most endeared you to your comrades. A person can never go wrong if you follow the rules, are respectful of others and their environment and possess common sense, honor, dignity and integrity, essentials that are required of all police officials from the top to the bottom. The workplace where you spent six years of hard working persistence was where you enjoyed the professional relationships with your colleagues that enhanced your service and vigilance to Dade County citizens. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your reliability and dependability went hand in hand as did your grace and valor. When the citizens saw Officer William C. Cook on patrol they knew their best friend was looking after them and didn't need to worry about care and consideration. This was one of your many humble and humane creeds. Read it like the Bible.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 31, 2014

He is most cheated who cheats himself. Police officers are solely responsible for maintaining law and order. They must perform a rather dangerous profession with honor, a stern righteous along with dignity and integrity. These can be fighting words but because of the design or layout of the streets they patrol, some things just cannot be helped. They endeavor to go out on any and all assignments and resort to digging and resolving to the best of their God-given abilities situations, domestic or otherwise any other problems that can occur. They display bravery, valor and courage, they can come under fire and yet must try to implore calm during a time of stress and crisis. You went out on your patrols, Officer Cook, displaying all of the above and yet your quiet times with your beloved wife, Karen, your comrades and friends were among your happiest. You were robbed of your young life, your family, acquaintances, anyone who crossed professional or personal paths with you. Evil that you attempted to corral, still tragically exists today, yet you and your colleagues who are now among God's golden angels were never detoured in your endeavors. You blazed the trail for other officers to follow, let us hope they are able to keep the peace, freedom and unity in their communities as you did for those six faithful and loyal years with the Metro-Dade Police Department. You my neighbor, friend and hero, dug in, now watch over those men and women who have assumed your watch with the same diligence and vigilance that is so vital to their successes. Rest in peace. You brought and delivered only pride and joy to your family, friends, colleagues and community. You are greatly missed. You calming approaches to both your life and police career helped you take hold of anything that came as a challenge to most people.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 30, 2014

One of the reasons people stop learning is that they become less and less willing to risk failure. Failure is a word, a term that can mean something different depending on the individual. You can face it like a man or dodge it like a coward. But to navigate among life's adventures one must be willing to face it head on. Police officers face this daily and usually they come out in a more advantageous position. You looked this in your eye, Officer Cook and for the most of your career you were successful. I would look at May 16, 1979, in which your comrades and yourself faced off with a beserk young man, bent solely on evil. You heroically saved seven lives, while placing yours on the line and the citizens of Dade County will never ever forget you. Your trusting nature, your bravery and courage channeled by your passions to be the best and the care, concern and compassion you exhibited even in the heat of the moment all stand for and do represent your legacy. One inch cost you your life, but that one inch has bolstered miles of new and better places for those you served and protected to thrive and prosper. There will never be a more dignified and honorable police officer such as yourself, Officer William C. Cook. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Badge#1664 shined with honor when you proudly and humbly wore it on your uniform.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 30, 2014

One change leaves the door open for the introduction of others. Each day we should work on moderation. You will notice that each day things may seem a little easier to adapt to. Change really gives birth to change. Open one door at a time and you'll see what a major difference it will make. You went through change, Officer Cook, you worked with various partners, sharing and caring, conversing over ideas that would make Dade County a little more safer and secure. Your police work stood for honesty, dignity, integrity and humanity. Your heroic status stands forever among the brave and valiant men and women unafraid to lay down their lives to allow the movement of social justice and equality among all people. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, your vivid imagination, your intellectual insight steered citizens down the right path and hopefully there won't be too many hard curves to maneuver through. A life and career ended way too soon, but the doors to honesty, dignity and integrity will continue to stay open because of you, Officer Cook. A real Godsend.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 29, 2014

Does one really think it is weakness that yields to temptation? Most people know there are terrible temptations which it requires strength, strength, strength and courage to yield to. One needs to be strong and try not to give in to temptation. A master of controlling temptations, one needs the physical resources of strength, conviction, honesty and so much more not to give in to corruption, bribery, anything that will demean their character. Police officers have to maintain unity, peace and freedom and be over and beyond reproach and stay the course. Our new temptation must be to work toward the freedom that comes with controlling our destinies. Facing the truth is not for the faint-hearted, the weak. We need to recognize our limits, work on what we can control. You were this very special kind of police officer, Officer Cook. A man of action, a gentleman of compassion, who channeled your passion to make the very best of your opportunities. Your strong heart, the soothing and voice of calm that came out of your lips helped immensely to curb domestic disputes and any other dilemmas that may have cropped up from time to time. And you were a concerned and serene humanitarian who truly made a huge difference in how Dade County, its streets and residents were able to co-exist together. Thank you very much for the physical and spiritual strength you exhibited, you were one truly exemplary person who now its among God's treasured and golden angels. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You saw a situation and moved quickly to resolve it without hesitance.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 29, 2014

Nowadays, people know the price of everything and the value of nothing. What are our core values? What matters most to us? Who do we love and care about? How do we show our caring and indicate our values? Phrases like "get to the point" and "cut to the chase" are for those who need life reduced into shorthand. What if suddenly keepsakes vanished, family members were never heard from again? With your family, Officer Cook, you recognized your values and kept working on your excellent work habits with honor, dignity and integrity in order to be able to display the diligent effort needed to police Dade County streets and its residents. You were an officer on a mission who stayed on the point and cut to the chase each time out including May 16, 1979, where you calming nature was called into action with alacrity and the boldness common to all brave men and women of law enforcement. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Today, sadly the core values of this country seem to be eschewed. Where then do we turn to for advice? Please keep looking down and watching us, Officer Cook, to make clear we navigate every turn, nook and cranny.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 28, 2014

Our parents instilled in us a mutual admiration and respect for others. What we should strive to accomplish is focusing on something we love to achieve, try and work as hard as we can to polish our skills at it. It's alright to follow one's passions and pursuits, in the United States of America, this is what dreams are made of. Your parents nurtured you, Officer Cook and your sister, Nancy to strike out and follow your passions to where your hearts would lead them. You loved being a police officer, serving, protecting because you succeeded the proper and moral way, where others may have failed. It's those brave and valiant men and women who have the necessary compunctions to maintain vigilance and be able to co-exist with other comrades as the citizens come to ask nothing more from their angels here in this world. Your heroism shall be forever saluted as you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 28, 2014

I find all this money a considerable burden. Money maybe the tangible proof of our worthiness. People are enamored by dollar signs at least some. Police officers sometimes do not look past this and give in to temptation. It can be very debilitating causing them a considerable problem in their service and protection of the citizens who they willingly took an affirmation on behalf. Officer Cook, you lived your life heroically, performed an arduous profession, knew how much you needed to be able to live. You and your beloved wife, Karen both worked demanding positions and lived in a very humble abode. The honor brought about through your upbringing was the right tool to help you through good and bad, money never blinded nor blindsided your preoccupation with serving the good people of Dade County, where you'll always be fondly remembered. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 27, 2014

A man who has made a big splash may be a man who has gone overboard. Most of us want to leave an impression-the bigger, the better. Some fantasize regarding proving themselves in public. We have to be modest and privately reserved and content. Police officers with all they have to deal with daily need to made huge differences in the communities where they serve and protect under stress with honor, dignity and integrity. You were this kind of police officer, Officer Cook, basking in the spotlight was not your primary motivation and you and Karen enjoyed your private moments in happiness, peace and in contentment. The confirmation of your abilities took place on Saturday, May 19, 1979, as the bagpipes wailed, the helicopters hovered overhead and a gun salute that followed, as thousands attended your Inspector's Funeral at the Cathedral of Saint Mary's and your life and career was eulogized there and at Dade Memorial Park North where you were laid to rest. A truly great man, a giant and yet humble gentleman who provided nothing less than quality service with a compassion and the passion to see things through in order for freedom, peace and unity to be able to branch out as one entity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, your eternal happiness watching over other officers will hopefully steer them free from harm. You never basked in the spotlight, you did lay your life and career down on a hot asphalt pavement in Liberty City, Miami, Florida. God will see that your blood was not spilled in vain. It wasn't and He will continue carrying your family and comrades through both the good and bad times.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 27, 2014

The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it. We all are meddlers in some way, shape or form. We might not have faith in our colleagues to get the job done right the first time out. It is easy to blame the right guy when the inevitable crisis occurs. A good leader leads by example, knows when and where to draw the line. Places their trust in those they direct. Well, I can tell you, Officer Cook, as I have reflected many times, that your Division Chief of District Two, Chief Dale P. Bowlin, knew you had the right character, class, honor, etc. to lead other officers. They probably should have allowed you to partner with Officers Keith DiGenova, Robert Edgerton, Scott Lincoln and your friend and classmate from Norland High School, Chief Geoffrey Jacobs for your entire career. Tragically cut short because of one's man's obsession with evil. But a life and career still carved out with all the increments of morals, scruples, honesty, ingenuity, wisdom and maturity that allowed you to both serve and protect Dade County residents with panache and to help bond together freedom, peace and unity. We will be grateful and most appreciative for the pleasure and respect you solemnly delivered to all. If Chief Jacobs stayed with the Metro-Dade Police Department, the two of you would have made a remarkable difference along with your other comrades policing the rampant wickedness right off those same areas where others take aim to eradicate this disease. It also takes being humble, reserved and refraining when necessary. The best results are usually achieved when everyone is on the same page. Your department never had to worry whether Officer William C. Cook, Badge#1664 was on another page wondering or wandering away from any situation that may have arisen. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 26, 2014

You see things; and say why? But I dream things that never were; and I say why not? Indeed, why not? Are we saddled really with the status quo? Can we change our situations, our dilemmas? Are we talented enough, smart enough, to walk away, start our own business, follow our passions? Can we be brave and courageous to passionately pursue our dreams and aspirations? Sometimes our dreams can serve as our wake-up call. You didn't settle for being second best, Officer Cook, the "brass ring," that you vigorously pursued, police work was probably in your blood as you were growing up. If we begin to build the individual who befits the role of an honest and dignified police officer, chances are we are humbly speaking about you. All because you exemplified what we come to expect from our fine brave and valiant men and women, who dreamed and achieved those same aspirations. Your heroic mannerism won't be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. We should not be fearful of failure, all whoever live experience this at least a few times during their lives. Your career and life was hallmarked with success, to be embellished forever.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 26, 2014

Unhappiness is best defined as the difference between our talents and our expectations. One of the highest compliments you can receive is you are a real renaissance man. Can everyone do everything well? People who are devoted to their jobs, police officers try to accomplish lots of things, they are given various assignments and are expected to perform at an optimal level and exhibit, honor, dignity and integrity. Hard for most of us to imagine, yet some of us can act this way. It is not overly impossible to achieve, you need a little fortune, hard work, endurance and quite a lot of perseverance. Officer Cook, you were very thankful for your opportunities to serve citizens in Dade County, you recognized your strengths and worked all seasons to secure security, peace and unity. You were the finest of Metro-Dade Police Department's officers, a true humble hero, most beloved by all, you knew your qualities would carry you to the epitome of success. Your colleagues and the civilians have come to respect and remember your daring act of bravery flanked by the courage and valor of May 16, 1979. You were a very cerebral gentleman, whose sense of humor brightened the moment. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 25, 2014

It is an equal failing to trust everybody and to trust nobody. The question can be logically brought up, why do we not trust people? Is it perhaps because someone may have lead us down the wrong path? Obviously it's vital to establish the bonds of intimacy so that trust is earned and not betrayed. We have to be cautious and yet go about our daily professional affairs. Officer Cook, you were a very trusting person, a talented and determined officer who attended to all of his affairs. The efforts you brought to Dade County residents will only be remembered with the same devotion, honesty and integrity forevermore. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You forged the bonds of goodwill and inspiration, so peace and security can continue traveling down their righteous pathways.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 25, 2014

The healthy man does not torture others-generally it is the tortured who turn into torturers. If one feels good about themselves, their work, their life, then there is no need to display anger or resentment. I'm sure Officer Cook, you were the kind of individual who absorbed your entire self into whatever pursuit you were enabling to achieve. But above all, you were a very fair and honest person. This is what we come to expect from our police officers who too have needs and rights, who risk their lives for us to live and prosper. Whenever someone partnered with you, Officer Cook, we can be certain you made sure they employed the same morals and code of conduct as you did. For those colleagues who worked with you it had to be a very compelling and quite a humble experience. A person's demeanor can set the tone for your entire watch if you channel your zeal properly. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, watch over the tormented, the depressed and lead those who carry on with your watch to to able to deal both gracefully and graciously as you so faithfully and steadfastly proved.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 24, 2014