Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

California, with all its sand and beaches is where you were born, Officer Cook, Berkeley, I believe, home to the University of California at Berkeley. Your parents made a great decision to come east to sunny South Florida, where you grew up and achieved most of your dreams and desires. You passion to become a Metro-Dade Police Officer, I'm sure has served all these years as an inspiration for all. Your great-niece, Alexis, just graduated from high school, don't know if she will follow in her beloved great-uncle's footsteps, but I'm certain she will succeed with all her strength just like you did. Everyone in your family has succeeded in some educational or other professional endeavor. There's a time to party, a place to get wet and soak up plenty of rays of sun. You were my neighbor, friend and hero, the epitome of an optimist who soaked in whatever you had set your mind to accomplish. Rest in peace, all those rays and good vibes have and will forever shield your loved ones and those comrades who made the same sacrifices for our benefit as you so loyally and faithfully demonstrated and discharged on Dade County's behalf for six years. Maybe Alexis will attend UC at Berkeley. Our son Joshua will be graduating 12th grade next year, maybe he will apply to UC at Berkeley. You have to hit the books, you did this and kept your grades up.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 22, 2014

You specialize in something until one day it is specializing in you. Where to draw the line? If only we are happy in our careers and our work truly fascinates us, feeds us and keeps our minds active and vigorous, that is wonderful. Sometimes a person loves something a little too much that it starts to own you. You close doors and those you care about are kept out of your inner circle. A person such as yourself, Officer Cook, was immersed in your career while at work and when you time off came you spent it with family and friends, hunting, fishing, taking pictures and with music. Your life was well-lived and it afforded you the chance to make new acquaintances along the way. An honorable gentleman such as yourself, Officer Cook, never placed aside your friends, your welcomed them as your guest with open arms. You delivered joy and serenity to a world that sorely requires more of the same today. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You and your colleagues have continued welcoming, if that is the proper word, all of your comrades who have made the ultimate sacrifice that you made thirty-five years ago. God surely has the best that this world lent to us for service and protection. You've made His golden streets that much more safer. You loved everything regarding your career and we know this is why you worked most passionately to become.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 21, 2014

Men may look at themselves in mirrors. Women look for themselves. Most men are not too terrific at introspection. Some people just rush into their daily routines without giving a thought to others self-esteem. Both men and women police officers need not view themselves in a mirror as they already know the possible risks they face because of what their profession demands of them. You and Karen, Officer Cook, did not need to look in mirrors, because you were honorable, extremely dedicated and hard working individuals, who knew the causes you both represented. You both made people feel better as two finely trained professionals in the health care and law enforcement profession. If one places a large mirror directly into the morning sunshine, the light of your cherished soul will bounce right off of it for all to view. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. I'm sure you both enjoyed sharing your professional moments amid the quietness of your loving home.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 21, 2014

The winner is one who knows when to drop out in order to get in touch. Police work is not about winners or losers, unless you have officers that have strayed from the proper path and may have caused other good and dedicated officers to stray as well. You represented what every good officer is about, Officer Cook, loyal, dependable, resourceful and faithful to carry out your duties no matter the time or circumstance at hand. Your valued leadership and your contributions to your department, division and all the citizens of Dade County have left a valuable lesson to all officers and to those they serve and protect. The work ethic you solemnly displayed satisfied not only your comrades, it solidified the bridges in unity and peace coming together at a time when unrest was unleashed in an area starving for its residents to just go about their normal everyday routines. Knowledge and maturity gave you my neighbor, friend and hero the courage to act bravely and quite nobly to enhance whatever you deemed necessary to correct. Rest in peace. Whenever your colleagues did well, you stood back and allowed them to bask in their accomplishments. You were a consummate team player.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 20, 2014

For every fine, well-adjusted and smoothly functioning American, these are two who never had the chance to discover themselves. It may well be because they have never been alone themselves. You faced everything that was assigned to you, Officer Cook and you did it with extreme pride and with a confident humbleness. You lived your life with the utmost pride, honor and dignity and for those officers who had partnered with you, they knew this was the only way you were going to succeed in all your endeavors. Your beloved wife, Karen knew this, your loving parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Julia Cook and your sister, Nancy, knew you to be that kind of gentleman, honorable, accessible and totally accommodating. You never gloated on your accomplishments, you just went about them as any normal and able-bodied officer should. I know if you were here today, the pain and agony you would be having regarding your friend and colleague, Officer Keith DiGenova being seriously wounded the day your made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of Dade County citizens would always be with you. He suffers and probably regrets not using his weapon to defend himself, you and your partner, Officer Robert Edgerton and those three civilians, two wounded by that troubled young man. But make no mistake, he is a hero and you are our hero, whose actions forever changed Dade County, you saved seven lives and your legacy is bound forever for all future generations to take note of. Officer Cook, there was nothing vague regarding your life, a life lived earnestly and in total humility and in your professional law enforcement career that was concentrated with bravery to act, courage to be compassionate and validated by your unselfish valor. You are one young man whose life was all too brief and yet for your twenty-five years of achievement, you will always be remembered for shining a large ray of hope amid the clouds of darkness. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your fondness, hard work and desire elevated this world to a newer plateau in which peace, freedom and unity can share in the glow of health, prosperity and goodwill for all mankind.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 20, 2014

Happiness may well consist primarily of an attitude toward time. For all of your twenty-five years, Officer Cook, you lived each moment and enjoyed bringing happiness and goodwill to all. I think your family would agree to this. I don't think you were a clock watcher, in that as a police officer, you were given a gift by God, though you had to pursue this gift with energy and hard work to maintain your training through the police academy, until you were fully prepared and deemed ready to go out on the streets to patrol. The phrase, "to be continued," was one that was not in your vocabulary, as you were the quintessential officer who would finish that which you started. Between the emotional stress and physical exhaustion and demands on your time, you demonstrated another important D- word that not too many of us can say we achieved through our compassions and passions. These two words described briefly how you lived life and personified becoming an excellent police officer. There maybe many who have lived longer, but not too many who excelled as mightily as yourself. There was never any running or dodging responsibility, only your heroic actions of May 16, 1979, that saved seven lives and possibly many more. There may have been tension and racial unrest in Dade County at that time, but, Officer William Coleman Cook, insured with all his power that only unity and freedom along with peace would prevail. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 19, 2014

You are unique and if that is not fulfilled, then something has been lost. You were a very uniquely qualified individual, Officer Cook, the way you lived a most honorable life and performed, carried out a professional in which more than physical and mental toughness and agility is often required. Not many can ever say they lived a humble life. Not many can firmly state they served and protected the citizens of their community-Dade County with respect, decency and integrity. You demanded your best from those officers who served beside you, you assisted them in anyway to try and improve their professional skills that are so vital to the position. People saw you watch everyday and realized they were your number one priority. There was no hiding, as a public servant you gave back to your community an honest day's effort and more so in bravery, courage and valor shielding them from the pangs of evil. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 19, 2014

Self-pity is easily the most destructive of the non pharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives one momentary pleasure and separates the victim from reality. We get ourselves in ruts of self-pity and denial, why not? The reason may lie in the fact that at times we are overburdened by responsibility, emotion, attempts at stoicism and sometimes the only solace we have is self-pity. We have to view ourselves in the mirror and just admit that we have to change. Not easy for everyone, but possible, just give it a chance. Police officers sometimes have to change their tactics on the go, just we hope and pray, not too often. You were raised, Officer Cook, not to wallow in self-pity, your politeness and work ethic propelled you to becoming a top flight and better serving officer. The calmness of your voice and very refined character helped you solve many issues particularly the domestic ones where you would have to be in full control of a situation in order to find the missing ingredient to bring the parties together in a semblance of order. The stress that you faced as did your colleagues was something most of us would not go near with a ten foot pole. But you succeeded with honesty, devotion, determination and a carefully measured balance of dedication that is lacking in some of today's police officers. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You and your comrades who have made the ultimate sacrifice get straight A's for those three D's: dedication, determination and devotion that the brave and courageous men and women of law enforcement must have to patrol the streets with vigilance and with diligence. And it still is a pity you aren't here to witness those great strides that came about in Dade County because of your terrific professional work habits.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 18, 2014

He who cannot rest, cannot work; he who cannot let go, cannot hold on; he who cannot find footing, cannot go forward. If we could only let ourselves go, not entirely, but in the ways we know we should, just imagine what we'll discover! Sometimes one just has to let go momentarily to gain a perspective. It is ironic but true that even though control is an important issue in our lives, we always seem to be fighting to get it back, because we are certain we have lost it. Losing control is sometimes necessary. When letting go, we learn what freedom can mean and can bring. And this new sense of personal power allows us the opportunity to finally go forward. Each day we should take stock of all our activities, find a time to rest, to replenish and to get a proper footing. All police officers have to do this at some point in their professional lives. You did this quite well, Officer Cook, you basically went out each day on patrol looking to make a difference, all along while being in control and in check of your emotions. Your passion brought a newer and more refreshing perspective on how you accomplish your job more efficiently and this was done with a positive zeal, honor, dignity and a renewed sense of integrity, that could and should be replicated by today's officers. Those hunting, fishing and photography outings with your father-in-law served you well my neighbor, friend and hero, helping you unwind and energize your batteries. The good citizens of Dade County were mighty proud of how you represented them in bravery, courage and valor. Your beloved family, comrades and friends have and will forever hold you in high esteem. Rest in peace. You were always in control, Officer Cook, because you did things by the book, legally to bring justice, freedom and unity to a community you enjoyed serving and protecting.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 18, 2014

The most important thing a person can learn through the years is the difference between taking one's work seriously and taking ones self seriously. The first is imperative and the second is disastrous. You knew, Officer Cook, when to employ your sense of humor and when to harness it. Sometimes we need to separate ourselves from our work. If we don't succeed, it does not mean we have failed as human beings. I know you and Karen would have made great parents and I'm sure this lesson would have been imparted to them as you would have delivered it to your other beloved family members. Your folks and my folks delivered this message it needs no decoding. We choose our work that we enjoy to earn a living. We concentrate, try to function and give our best effort, something no one had to preoccupy themselves with as far as you were concerned. You gave any honest day's endeavor and you took police matters seriously. You took your life seriously. You had that million dollar smile that could light up a room and yet when it came to quiet times with your beloved Karen, I'm sure you were able to cherish each moment. You should still be here treasuring each moment, we know God has given you a very humble assignment, to patrol and police His Golden streets with those comrades who paid the very dear price and made the utmost sacrifice as you did. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, let us pray the choices and decisions we make pay bigger dividends down to the road to benefit society as you helped and shaped the world into a better place for all to succeed.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 17, 2014

Wisdom is knowing when you can't be wise. The myth in the mind of a person who does too much is that they are good or even superior in all they undertake. Not so.. Knowing what you do well, what you accomplish the best, takes a wise and focused individual. One has got to be confident in their abilities and capabilities, make wise choices, know what you can and can't do well. And you were this kind of police officer, Officer Cook, able bodied, capable, with a humble confidence in knowing and comprehending the scope of all your assignments placed before you. Your humility and calming approach seemed to work for most of your life and professional career with the Metro-Dade Police Department where you wisdom, charm, integrity, maturity and congenial manner had its proper place within your division. This all will never be lost among those who have succeeded you. Your legacy as one of Dade County's heroes shall be perpetuated forever. As those shirts said "I Died For You." Well, I still cry and get emotional as I wear my emotions on my sleeve. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your passing, your unselfishness and boldness Officer Cook, has contributed to an everlasting advancement in changes here in Dade County and all around Miami. On May 16, 1979, you did not avoid or evade, you ran right to a hot spot of trouble and as trained and skilled as you were, you attempted to place honor, freedom and unity right where they belonged, with the citizens in the community you served, protected and were revered by all.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 17, 2014

If A equals success, then the formula is A=X+Y+Z. X is work. Y is play. Z is to stop and not speak as much, but a little more taciturn. We do a lot of speaking. Commanding. Ordering. Bossing. Directing. If we spent a portion of that time thinking, we'd be far more productive, even more likable. There is a time for quiet and introspection, for contemplation. To cool down. Quiet often times brings a peace of its own, a time to reflect, to strengthen, to forgive. You were a master communicator, Officer Cook, that endeared you to so many of your colleagues and friends. Sometimes this a better tactic for police officers to display and that is to think before rushing in to act. Your voice and speech patterns made you a more efficient leader and a compassionate officer. The loss of someone as humble like yourself, has left this world more quieter than usual. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. A equals astute, plus yearning and proper zealousness. Something that rests inside the brave and courageous men and women of the law enforcement community.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 16, 2014

From what I've read from your reflections, Officer Cook, your overall maturity and wisdom beyond your twenty-five years was indeed a most remarkable trait. Today, it's hard to find people that can combine these two important traits together that can be a key into whether or not they will be successful in their attempts to try and make this world a little nicer and more fulfilling. By your humanely efforts and humbleness, Officer Cook, it's clear as a bell why you were a most devout and devoted individual in all your dreams, aspirations and goals. You were a positive, upbeat kind of gentleman and all this endeared you to Karen, as she too was this kind of loving and devoted woman and wonderful wife to you. If only God gave you more time, we all wish you were with us this day and everyday. Police officers and just about all people try to make deep impacts, big differences in society. But, it is the humble person, who values and views the small differences as well. For some they want to consume the whole pie, but if we just ponder one hour, one moment at a time, take smaller bites, things will workout better in the end. We crave instant results, ignoring what is in the best interests over the long haul. Don't sweat the small stuff, you were a conscientious worker my neighbor, friend and hero, whose soul was free of distractions and your heroism sure has provided the impetus for a brighter today, tomorrow and future for all to accomplish. Small changes in achievement provide greater results that make us happier and healthier. Your career, Officer Cook, was filled with adventure, traveling in the unknown, but your courage to act responsibly has made our society exactly more healthier and more prosperous. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 16, 2014

The trouble with most people is that they think with their hopes, fears or wishes rather than with their minds. It's hard to clear the underbrush of our minds-the weeds of self-doubt, shame, self-pity and guilt. We need to feel, not intellectualize, we need to feel clearly. Police officers always seem to have a lot on their minds and yet when they are out patrol, they need to be as free of distractions as possible. Your hopes, dreams, aspirations served as your motivating factor, Officer Cook, in fostering goodwill, peace and prosperity in your beloved community. All the hard and dedicated work you put into your endeavor into becoming a top flight police officer, culminated in your desire to achieve with the honor, courage and integrity afforded to the men and women who served alongside of you. They will remember your giving spirit and the legacy you passed on to all future officers that serve and protect. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 16, 2014

We rarely listen for proper tempo. Police officers try to balance both their private and professional lives. It can be extremely difficult given the restraints, the dilemmas and obstacles to peace and unity in a community where they stand to serve and to protect. We seem to know just one tempo-one beat: fast. We miss so much when we ignore the rhythms of life. They are appropriate devices of timing. The timing of our heartbeats, one breathing. If we push too hard at times we might lose that basic rhythm, promise too much, over commit a bit more. You have to listen to your body, but you worked, Officer Cook, to a sound beat, a positive tempo, an upbeat rhythm. That day, May 16, 1979, you were about to end your shift and you and Reserve Officer, Scott Lincoln, your partner that day, got to a domestic issue scene you had visited many other times. You tried to quell a problem that snowballed out of hand, the timing of things is never quite perfect as we would like it to be, but, for what it meant in terms of value to the Dade County community and its citizens, your awareness, your willing incisiveness to act as you properly did, saved lives of your colleagues and those civilians involved in that untimely incident in which your laid down your life in the line of duty to help unity and freedom continue. One man's able bodied vision to act, one police officer's bravery and courage placed on the line for all to witness and for this you'll never be forgotten. If only the medical staff could have restored your heartbeat and other vital signs, patched you up to go back to your beloved Karen, family and esteemed comrades We know they tried their utmost to succeed, Our Creator had much more important work for His loyal and most faithful servant, Officer William Coleman Cook to carry out from His golden streets above. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your shining soul is keeping the tempos in unison with those officers who have faithfully carried on with your watch.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 16, 2014

Just a little while ago I visited your grave, Officer Cook, cleaned up the weeds, noticed that someone replaced the American flag. Your honor was on the line and it was the proper thing to do in putting back the flag. You are always going to be saluted for your resourcefulness and bravery, acting the way you comported yourself on May 16, 1979 and everyday personally and professionally. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2014

How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something, but to be someone. It takes courage to be"someone." You must expose yourself to scrutiny, let your weaknesses show along with the strengths. To invent yourself is easier than to allow others to see you as you are, your very own persona. There were no masquerades with you, Officer Cook, no false bravados. Only a humble, decent and honest human being performing a very precise and a most challenging profession that most of us would never dare try to reach. You had a dream, an aspiration and a burning desire to become one of the best and you accomplished beyond any shadow of a doubt. Your actions on May 16, 1979, showed all of America and the citizens of Dade County exactly why we have such determined and dedicated people like you. You were on a mission to bring peace and unity and you did that and we are all humanely thankful for God sending individuals like you into our society. And you are very much missed, but thought of daily. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. There will never again be that someone so special as you, Officer Cook, in the North Miami Beach, Florida area. So folks remember this one of a kind and uniquely gentle soul of a man.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2014

It is more easier to be critical than to be correct. For those of us who are disappointed with our own performances, being critical is fairly easy. Look at your own lives, wherever and seek to correct what needs uplifting. You were a very savvy police officer, Officer Cook and you never ever looked down or said anything other than to reinforce a point to help improve a colleague's skill set. I guess if there was a critique to be made it's that your department should have provided its officers with those side plates back then. For your heroics, you were about as technologically as sound as any officer. Times have changed since then, technology certainly has changed, but the one most important thing to remain and will always stay intact is your fighting spirit and the will and want to succeed beyond expectation. Something you made sure you did on a daily basis and a lesson we can all learn from. Your wisdom to yearn and to learn new things set you apart from most in the crowd and those who knew the man behind the badge, realized this to be only the truth. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The saying, "People in glass houses should not throw stones" is one all police officers should take to heart when serving and protecting.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 15, 2014

It is difficult to live in the present, ridiculous to live in the future and impossible to live in the past. Nothing is so far away as one minute ago. Life is a series of moments, the past just a minute ago, the future just a second away, we can't mourn for lost days. We ourselves can only control the moment now, the present. If we make ourselves aware of what we are doing, saying, and feeling presently, if we make ourselves present for others, then we will find more value in our moments, our days, our years-our lives. Today is a day of quiet reflection. Reflect on the present, not mourn for the past or worry about the future. For the many brave men and women of the law enforcement community they all try to focus on the present, as with the risks of their professions, we witness that nothing is promised in their futures. Officer Cook, you looked at the now, the present when while out on your patrols you could make freedom and unity a sacred reality. We never know when God calls for us, you and Karen focused your every breath on the present. We do mourn your loss thirty-five years ago, the stinging pain never seems to go away. Your loved ones know your beautiful soul hovers high above as it continues this day to soar brightly over those who expose their beings to the same pursuit you had and that was to make aspirations of success, freedom and liberty occur with the boldness, honesty, dignity and integrity which incorporated your work ethics. You controlled the streets and made them the safest that they could ever be. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The past cannot be taken back, it's what you pursued so vigorously that allows us to live a brighter present and future. Thank you so very much for being the ever so loyal and devoted public servant. Saving lives to enable us to build a brighter tomorrow. It couldn't be put more succinctly. You meant the world to your loving family who gave of themselves to allow you to protect and serve all people. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Cook, you darling son will faithfully be remembered by myself and my family now and forever.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 14, 2014

Like a bursting celestial star, you showered your family, Officer Cook with love, joy and beauty. You deserve to still be here still fulfilling your dreams and aspirations you had left on your plate to complete. But, because of your heroics, you now occupy an even greater position as one of God's many shining constellations among the billions of stars. Badge#1664 belonged to a very courageous soul, yourself, my neighbor, friend and hero. If any other officer is wearing your badge, I hope, we all hope that they are serving Dade County residents with the same repertoire as you so faithfully exhibited. Show your partners the same ropes that Officer William Coleman Cook showed and instilled in his comrades. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 14, 2014

We can become anything. That is why injustice is impossible here. Humans have the ability to change. This is what sets us apart from others. Police officers have to have this ability to change and to act at times on the fly. We are able to use reason and logic to make intelligent choices that can lead us in different directions. If we have trouble expressing anger, then we can learn to exhibit our anger appropriately. If we are working with someone who bothers us or who is a bit lethargic we can sit and try to hash out our differences. We all have differences of opinion. We have freedoms to make proper decisions based upon sound logic and reason. We can make these choices and better learn to take an inventory of our lives and careers that we invest the time and financial means to make our dreams come to fruition. You did all this very successfully, Officer Cook. You always made sound choices that in the end would most benefit your family. Your leadership skills endeared you to so many other colleagues, who recognized working, partnering with you would prove to not only beneficial, but for the good of your division and department. The people of Dade County have remembered your heroics, your bravery, courage and commitment to serve and to protect. You were your department's most astute and thought provoking decision maker who took police work to another level. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The double edged sword you had on you was your dignity and integrity and it never steered you wrong.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 13, 2014

Clock watchers scare some folks. Either they want the clock to move faster or stop altogether. There is never enough time or way too much of it. But they are aware of it. One's stomach tells us it's time to break for a meal, but if you are a diligent employee, the task at hand is not finished until you complete it. We should not superimpose imaginary deadlines made of minutes, seconds or hours on ourselves or others. Police officers work all different shifts in all conditions, you did this, Officer Cook, you were a superbly accountable officer who was capable of handling any assignment placed on your shoulders. You were certainly not a clock watcher on May 16, 1979, nor any other time, otherwise you could have returned to your station house and let your comrades deal with that serious domestic issue with Mr. Pearsall. But this was not the way Officer William Coleman Cook, ever lived his life nor personified his professional career, you were there to lend a hand and courageously and without regard for your own safety saved your comrades and those civilians and heroically gave Dade County back its dignity and unity, all because of you and who you were, a truly brave gentleman and one excellent police officer. You were among forty-two officers in your department who made this sacrifice and will not ever be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 13, 2014

Routine is a double-edged sword. A good routine is one that is mixed, that allows freedom, that encourages choice and thought, one that can be scarcely called routine. We try to make changes to our routines, but sometimes this is not enough. I'm sure you were a stickler for details, Officer Cook, those who knew you for the man that you were, the wisdom and maturity you possessed, you made the routines of your partners and colleagues a much more fulfilling experience. It's these life experiences that all stand alone as to how we comport ourselves. You held you own and that routine should be habit forming for all others to follow. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The choice you made to join the Metro-Dade Police Department was the best thing you made on behalf of its citizens. Loyal and dependable. Courteous and courageous. Loved and respected by so many.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 12, 2014

I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with the pain. Your entire family, Officer Cook, your entire police family and those you befriended outside of the department have all felt the sting of losing your very sudden at such a young age with more left for you to accomplish. The Pearsall Family has also had to deal with this sense of anguish and torment for what they too had to lose, their troubled young son who harbored such hate against police officers that he was willing to attack a division, a department, an entire nation and country where we send our bravest souls into their communities to try and conquer this wickedness. The young man depressed, troubled, tormented, whatever chose May 16, 1979, as a day to forever to be remembered as a day of infamy when you went to assist your fellow officers and inn the heroic process of trying to save lives and maintain a peace, a quiet calm and unity in the Liberty City community of Metropolitan Miami-Dade County, my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer William Coleman Cook were gunned down in the line of duty that left your two comrades clinging to life, Officers Keith Digenova and Robert Edgerton, survivor heroes who deserve as much credit for endeavoring to ward off this evil. At some point in our lives, we have to deal with the loss of a love done. It's said that time heals wounds, but I'm not totally sold on this statement. Your loss to the Dade County community at large, Officer Cook, was and has always been substantial. Knowing your personality, you would want us to move on and live our lives as you so faithfully and solemnly exemplified for twenty-five years. Your friend Officer DiGenova has suffered physical and mental hardships because of his brain injury, I know if you were here, you were his best friend and would do whatever to help him. I would if I could believe me, when police are injured doing their jobs or God forbid killed in the line of duty, I think about this as my father, Owen, too was a longtime New York City Police Officer for thirty-eight years would help your colleague if I could. He had his county insurance stopped when he relies on this for the rest of his life. During my dad's service, he had no bulletproof vests, only his city issued weapon of which he used only one time during his entire watch. Hate and prejudice were not in your lexicon, only compassion, consideration and caring for one another. Rest in peace. Still hard to believe that young man lived with three generations of relatives and no one saw this kind of behavior coming and tried mightily to stop it or call the authorities sooner to help him. You'll never be forgotten for endeavoring to do as much as you were able to in a matter of a few precious moments.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 12, 2014

You had a badge that you wore proud. What you did was important, though you never said that out loud. Respect did not come, from the wages you were paid or from callous statements, that in the press were made. Respect is in the homage, shared by those who truly know. Your service is what kept, light in the world aglow. It sure did, Officer Cook, it sure did. Your badge and uniform was your pride and passion and you worked feverishly at the police academy, day, afternoon and nights to endeavor to become an accomplished police officer. As stated before, you had the correct work habits so essential to the position. Your soul has kept this world aglow as you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Shinier days lie ahead for us because you were willing to travel into the darkness of evil on May 16, 1979 to save lives of your comrades and those civilians. You did this very well during your six years of service saving countless other lives.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 11, 2014