Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

He that would govern others, first should be Master of himself. Workaholics are perfectionists. Perfectionism is a disease in and of itself, but when you dictate perfectionism it can only lead to destruction. Flexibility with oneself and with others leads to maximum effectiveness. If your role is that of a leader, you must be tolerant of mistakes, of uneven performances, of demands not met. First of all, police work does not tolerate mistakes on a constant basis, not just because they are bad for the morale of the department, but because they can lead officers into dangerous situations where loss of life is always possible, God forbid. And Officer Cook, you always made sure of your circumstances and had a plan of action to match whatever scenario you were dispatched to. A certain allowance can be made for certain dilemmas, but usually not too many are afforded for obvious reasons. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 12, 2014

Despair is the price one pays for setting oneself an impossible aim. Thank God, Officer Cook, despair never set in for all that you endeavored to become. One has to set certain goals, at least to attempt to challenge that for which we were created for. Your profession demands high standards and anything less would be deemed unsuccessful. You gave your all, loved much and were very much well loved. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. If despair ever set in, you let devotion, desire and dedication eliminate any doubts on whether you would succeed or not.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 12, 2014

Whose life is it, anyway? When we are at our workaholic worst, we forget we have any choices. We shield ourselves behind routine, we take perverse pride in the prisons we've created, but we claim that "life" has dealt us an unbearable, impossible hand. We hide behind the mountain of tasks we have created. Today, we might say I'll see my work load for what it is-a self created monster that has made the word choice obsolete in my language. Officer Cook, you lead a bright life, humbled by accomplishments too many to name. You were a leader who took other officers under your wings to advice and regardless of the arduous tasks that lied ahead you were fearless and strong in your convictions in bringing law and order together, so that peace and prosperity would tie together. This knot will never be untied and the bonds of your legacy will forever remain etched in our minds. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your life, police officers and their lives with their families supporting their efforts must never be abridged nor compromised by the evil which still lingers in our society.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 12, 2014

Beware of a desperate person who offers you his shirt. Often people are well in their intentions, but cannot possibly deliver what they promise. It is unwise for us to offer too much and then, time after time, fail, not only those to whom we give our promise, but finally failing ourselves. On the other hand, you, Officer Cook, you delivered on the oath that you solemnly took and brought unwavering and an uncompromising style and effort to your profession. Failure is not a word that defines some of us, it surely never ever defined your life or career or your unselfish bravery that you wore on your chest when you badge was pinned on you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. It was a shame that young man was so desperate to try and undermine the Metro-Dade Police Department by taking your life and nearly those of your esteemed colleagues. Your life and career will certainly go down as very determined and essential in what you displayed on a daily basis to bring forth peace and unity in your community.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 11, 2014

If I would be a young man again and had to decide how to make a living, I would not try to become a scientist, scholar or teacher. I would rather choose to be a plumber or peddler in the hope to find that modest degree of independence still available under present circumstances. In making our lives simpler, more focused, we set ourselves free and give ourselves more than a meaning of independence. We all strive for that comfort level of freedom as our identity. Officer Cook, this was how you lived your life and performed your job on a daily basis. A young man who was not yet in your prime you deserved to still be with us, but only Our Creator knows the real answer and one day your loved family members will see you again. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, keep watching over us and helping those on this earth to protect and serve as you did with an unlimited amount of resolve, desire, dedication and proper dignity.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 11, 2014

One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man. Even as we live in a world now of modern technologies, the minds of men who helped create the "great machines" are the essence. But nothing can be finer than brave men and women like yourself, Officer Cook, who are subjected to ridicule, abuse, both physically and mentally and the stress not to mention that accompanies you to your profession on a daily basis, you stand in there and try to keep law and order, peace and unity in your community, risking bodily harm in doing so to promote these freedoms that we sometimes take for granted. To soothe a crying baby, alleviate one's fears, feed hungry people, more importantly give warmth to a cold, lost, angry heart. Yes, you did this on marvelous scale for six committed years of service and now we should pause and reflect on your humility and humble genius. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You truly were a flag bearer for your department and the pride of the Central Division.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 10, 2014

We should all do what in the long run gives us joy, even if it is picking grapes or sorting the laundry. I'm sure, Officer Cook, you helped your beloved wife, Karen, in certain household chores. Power, wealth, they are nice for some people who crave these type of materialistic things, but it was being independent, alone in your own thoughts and the peace with which you earnestly delivered to Dade County residents on a daily basis that should never be overlooked. The one thing and a most important thing would have been to be able to start a family. As I've said many times, both you and Karen would have made excellent parents because of the way you both were raised, with honor, a sense of pride and dignity. You always from what I've been told brought only honor and joy to your loving parents. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 10, 2014

I think knowing what you can not do is more important than knowing what you can do. You made an inventory of all your actions, Officer Cook and your strengths lied in your soothing and calming manner in solving and in resolving domestic disputes among the citizens in Dade County. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 10, 2014

I myself believe that the evidence for God lies primarily in inner personal experiences. And no man has the right to abandon the care of his salvation to another. You placed all your personal experiences and any achievements solely in the palms of God's hands and now because you placed your community's salvation above your own safety as a duly reliable police officer, Officer Cook, God has you sheltered now and for eternity in His House of salvation. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 8, 2014

The pivot round which the religious life, as we have traced it, revolves, is the interest of the individual in his private personal destiny. Religion, in short, is a monumental chapter in the history of human egotism. Your destiny, your purpose in life, Officer Cook, has been chronicled for the ages and though your life was cut tragically short, you will be remembered forever as a mover and shaker whose extremely positive and outgoing personality led to all your successes in whatever you endeavored to accomplish. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. There were no egos or personal agendas in your search for truth and justice ever.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 8, 2014

Religion, whatever it is, is a person's total reaction upon life. And the highest flights of charity, devotion, trust, patience, bravery to which the wings of human nature have spread themselves and have been flown for religious ideals. Your faith, Officer Cook, allowed both you and your beloved wife, Karen to spread the ideals of everything mentioned above to all your friends with a renounced spirit and good cheer. May God spread His wings over you and allow your soul to fly to the highest of heights. For acting as our shield of defense, may the light of your giving soul perpetually illuminate the entire universe with peace and goodwill as we begin the New Year of 2014. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 8, 2014

The prophet has drunk more deeply than anyone of the cup of bitterness, but his countenance is so unshaken and he speaks such mighty words of cheer that his will becomes our will and our life is kindled at his own. Never bitterness, never a complaint, you handled your official business, Officer Cook, with total professionalism and the concentration making our lives safer and to be sure you will never be forgotten for your sincerity and matter of good nature spirit. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You can drink from God's eternal cup of greatness for humbly assisting all who needed help.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 8, 2014

Religion is not an intelligence test, but a faith. Police work is always going to be a test for all its loyal and dependable officers. And you, Officer Cook, were one of your agency's finest and most honorable public servants. The distinction for which enabled you to lead other officers was only the beginning. Your sacrifice spearheaded the goodwill so essential and vital to a community's survival and reason to live within its limits with all residents of different backgrounds. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 7, 2014

The enduring value of religion is in its challenge to aspiration and hope in the mind of man. Thank God, Officer Cook, for you being the man who was raised with tremendously outstanding values and character of which was stellar indeed as were your actions on May 16, 1979. Your legacy is enduring and serves not only as our inspirational lesson for all mankind, but as our personal aspiration of how good men and women should serve their communities: with honor and integrity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Some of us maybe more challenged by your absence, but it is this absence which make the heart grow fonder.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 7, 2014

That religion, or the duty which we owe to Our Creator and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice religious forbearance, love and charity towards each other. You discharged your duties faithfully, Officer Cook, without fear and only with proper motivation in seeing peace and unity become a significant reality to all citizens in Dade County. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 6, 2014

Even though sadly we never had the chance to meet each other, Officer Cook, you never put yourself above Our Creator and I think I can declare this with a certain sense of clarity. People do themselves wrong and too meanly estimate the Holiness above us, when we deem that any act or enjoyment good in itself, is not good to do religiously. I guess as I've reflected before, we cannot get into the minds of the bad people who destroy the loved ones of the brave men and women who lives they take in the line of duty, shattering their own hopes, dreams and aspirations they too have in living life to its fullest. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 6, 2014

A competent religious guide must be clear and intelligible to all, so that everyone may fully understand the true meaning of the instructions it contains. Is the Bible a book intelligible to all? Far from it; it is full of obscurities and difficulties not only for the illiterate, but even for the learned. A seasoned and intelligent police officer, Officer Cook, you taught your congregants the Bible and were one of their many fountains of genuine information beside the Pastor of your church. Your humility and grace still makes us think and to ponder the reasons why God took you at such a young age? Undaunted by fear, but loaded with desire and passion, you properly and promptly delivered excellent results each day of your watch. Now God has handed you a daunting eternal challenge: watch over all officers who display the quality traits you personally employed during your Metro-Dade career. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 6, 2014

It is the fool who says in his heart there is no God. But what shall we call the man who tells us that with this sort of a world God bids us to be content? But you were known as a very mature officer beyond your years, Officer Cook, so devout, so faithful and unassuming who always put the good of Dade County residents ahead of your agenda. the wisdom you garnered and passed on to your colleagues has been as decisive as your actions on May 16, 1979 to save those seven people who lives may have been lost if not for your swiftness in reacting. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 6, 2014

The religion which allies itself with injustice to preach down the natural aspirations of the masses is worse than atheism. And people who do a job in which honor and dignity is vital to the success of their mission rely on their co-workers to do the same. There is no room for dishonor and wayward police officers who tarnish their badges and places their comrades in extreme danger as well as the citizens they serve and protect. Being raised in a humble environment, Officer Cook, where love and values assisted you throughout your life and career, it is no wonder you turned out to be a very loyal and dependable comrade who could be relied upon to come to the aid of others. You were that shining apple in your parents eyes and your spirit is comparable to a freshly polished diamond. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 6, 2014

I believe in one God, creator of the universe. That He governs it by His providence. That He ought to be worshiped. That the most acceptable service we render to Him is doing good to His other children. That the soul of man is immortal and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this. These I take to be fundamental principles of all sound religion. A truly humble and revered gentleman, Officer Cook, you will be forever remembered for enduring and assisting in changing the landscape of Dade County streets forever. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 5, 2014

Religious faith is not a storm cellar to which men and women can flee for refuge from the storms of life. It is, instead, an inner spiritual strength which enables them to face those storms with hope and serenity. Religious faith has the miraculous power to lift ordinary human beings to greatness in seasons of stress. Your spirituality, Officer Cook, helped catapult you to sheer greatness through your mature humbleness. I cannot say for sure of course, but I can suspect if most people had some semblance of faith in their lives, than no telling how far the can travel to excellence. As you were taught my neighbor, friend and hero, you were instructed and believed in one God, who is infinite in His knowledge, in power he maintains over the universe, in goodness and in every other perfection; who created all things by His omnipotence and governs them by His Providence. We believe, as does your loving family and friends that as you rest in peace your beautiful soul has ascended to heaven where it it now free to roam and to look over those loved ones and your colleagues who patrol the same streets of which you solemnly watched over for six dedicated and loyal years of service.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 5, 2014

The religions we call false were once true.They were affirmations of the conscience correcting the evil customs of their times. If one's spirituality could alone prevent mayhem and loss of life of police officers, they might be able to probably rely more often on this theory of this statement. The fact still and will always remain that you were very devout, Officer Cook, in your faith. Your service to mankind was based not only on your catholic upbringing, but more importantly on honesty and integrity. Grace and valor helped steer your adventures and ventures in your service to Dade County citizens. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 5, 2014

There is only one success, to be able to spend life your own way. You spent your entire life, Officer cook, performing good deeds and on the last day of your sacred and cherished existence, you saved seven people from possible death, putting your being in harm's way of an incident where you were not dispatched. Pretty heroic. Very humble and with a character filled with only humility. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 4, 2014

Each day and the living of it, has to be a conscious creation in which discipline and order are relieved with some play and some pure foolishness. A way you rejuvenated yourself, Officer Cook, was to make others laugh or smile. You can display a wicked sense of humor, but when the time calls for you to be solemn and serious, you could take control of a situation and use you God given abilities to level calm and peace within the community. Your bright smile and laughter are surely missed, but we know that is exactly what you are doing up in heaven now. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 2, 2014

The real problem of your leisure is how to keep other people from using it. I do believe rest and relaxation is good for all police officers, in that it lets them clear their minds and get away for a little bit from the rigors of their positions. I know, Officer Cook, you utilized your down time to be with Karen and your friends. An article was recently in either the Sun-Sentinel or the Miami Herald and mentioned your father-in-law, Mr. Kenneth Toussel. I believed you enjoyed taking hunting trips with him. You took your profession quite seriously and the results showed themselves to be outstanding. Desire and dedication went down your path with integrity and dignity, how fitting a collision, for the sake of heaven and the honor you brought to your family, colleagues and all persons who came to know and respect you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 2, 2014