Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The example of America must be the example not merely of peace because it will not fight, but of peace because peace is the healing and elevating influence of the world and strife is not. There is such a thing as a man being too proud to fight. There is such a thing as a nation being so right that it does not need to convince others by force that it is right. It was certainly proper and right for you to answer that call of a domestic dispute and to attempt to calm things down without the usage of force. This was your strength and the streets can be devilishly diabolic, Officer Cook, sometimes unforgiving and you were one of the many fine Metro-Dade Police Officers who sacrificed your life and career in order that peace may assume its rightful place in the community. This community misses you more than you could imagine. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 1, 2013

I want peace and I'm willing to fight for it. The way our country is at the present time, my wife and I sure hope our sons will not be drafted and placed in any dangerous spots. Your father, Officer Cook, was a career serviceman, whose dedication and bravery to serving his country and your service were important factors in allowing us to remain safe and secure. You were men on a mission and this is precisely why we enjoy our freedoms. You loved your job in fighting the evil with the criminal element and were successful in large part to eradicating this wickedness from our streets. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero along with your father, Charles. We offer you both a large salute for your accomplishments.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 31, 2013

Our first, our greatest, our most relentless purpose is peace. For without peace there is nothing. The people in your area of patrol had and have lived out adverse conditions for too many years. The poverty stricken areas, the buildings some all been rebuilt because of brave men and women like yourself, Officer Cook, who were not afraid to be bold and swift in reacting to whatever dilemmas were thrust upon them. Men and women of character is the first and most prerequisite way for any law enforcement official to get their message through to the community they watch over. The freedoms and liberties we as Americans all enjoy cannot ever be taken for granted, as you my neighbor, friend and hero never took anything for granted, it's how you and your family approached life and its many challenges. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 31, 2013

We should do all in our power to hasten the day when there shall be peace among the nations-a peace based upon justice and not upon cowardly submission to wrong. Since your sacrifice, Officer Cook, all police officers in Dade County have been out on the streets aggressively pursuing evil and endeavoring to take it off the streets forever in order for residents to prosper mightily. You hurried to that call and turned out to be the savior of that day of May 16, 1979, saving three civilians and four of your comrades. Your division and department will always be grateful for having you in its midst for your six years of loyal and faithfully solid service and protection. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 31, 2013

No man should think that peace comes easily. Peace does not come by merely wanting it, or shouting for it or by marching down Main Street for it. Peace is built brick by brick, mortared by the stubborn effort and the total energy and imagination of able and dedicated women and men. And it is built around parameters of the living faith that, in the end, men and women can master and to fashion their own destiny. Because of your commitment, Officer Cook, because of your sincerity and honesty, the community which so revered you and respected you, has since come a long way down that so called winding road of establishing peace and unity for all in their community. In short, you made it happen and we will never forget your life and police career which took the community to a new generation and a more higher moral level by which the residents could live their lives and continue to make sustenance for their families. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 30, 2013

Your friend and classmate from Norland High School and the police academy, Chief Geoff Jacobs reflected the other day for a fallen comrade, Detective Robert L. Zore, who was shot in the line of duty and passed away on Christmas morning Dec. 25, 1983. Chief Jacobs, I hope everything is well. Det. Zore and your friend, Bill Cook, Officer William Cook, to myself were dedicated officers who both left an impression that all officers working the streets have stopped and taken notice. Det. Zore left a wife and young daughter behind, your friend and his wife Karen, did not have any children, but as I've reflected, they would have made great parents because of their love, caring, sensitivity and precision in carrying out their careers with loyalty and honor. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. I hope to see you in South Florida soon, Chief Jacobs and perhaps we can meet and enjoy some good conversation along with a good meal. My son and wife would love to meet you. I'll respect your privacy and not e-mail you even though I noticed your e-mail address. I wonder if you also found a black and white photo of Officer Cook too. I have a picture of him from the book, "Forgotten Heroes." I cry when I look at his picture and his grave site. Both Det. Zore and Officer Cook were as brave and honorable as any police officer could ever be.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 29, 2013

Peace is normally a great good and normally it coincides with righteousness, but it is righteousness and not peace which should bind the conscience of a nation as it should bind the conscience of an individual; and neither a nation nor an individual can surrender conscience to another's keeping. Your first priority, Officer Cook, was for the welfare of those residents of which you served and protected valiantly. Police officers always or at least ninety percent of the time attempt to settle problems peacefully before resorting to much more serious actions. There is always going to be a fear factor somewhere in that equation and this is precisely why they have to try and stay calm and alert at every turn. You carried this out to the letter of the law my neighbor, friend and hero, you paid a dear price, but we will remember your courage, your motivation, your unwavering friendship in times of duress and distress. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 29, 2013

Thank God for peace! Thank God for peace when the great police officers wearing the blue, brown, black and white uniforms who humbly give up their liberties for our freedoms willingly and with a proud resolve. We thank you, Officer Cook, for your peaceful mannerisms in dealing with every situation that would come your way. Your colleagues always appreciated your charisma and approach. It worked wonders that only today's officers would be most satisfied with. The rapport you shared with your comrades is something that in today's modern age would be heartfelt among the ranks of all departments. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 29, 2013

This was a police action, a limited war, whatever you want to call it to stop aggression and to prevent a big war. And that's all it ever was. Mr. Cook, you served in the Korean War, I believe and the proud son, Officer William C. Cook served his county, city, department with the same loyalty, honor and pride of which you possessed in serving to defend our best interests. You and your wife, Mrs. Julia Cook, proudly raised two children, Nancy and your son, William, "Billy" as he was known in the North Miami Beach, Florida to stand up for the rights of others with dignity and integrity, this never steered either of them wrong. Your brave son will be forever remembered for catapulting his department endeavors with not only his smile and professionalism, but by his endearing and engaging personality. He helped put Liberty City residents back in better environments because of his courage, commitment and self-sacrifice. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero along with your father, Mr. Charles Cook. Your resolve, Officer Cook, certainly prevented an escalation of mayhem and bloodshed, Dade County residents will be forever grateful.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 29, 2013

Yet these men had no need to travel to be as wise as Solomon in all his glory, so similar are the lives of men in all countries and fraught with the same homely experiences. One half the world knows how the other half lives. The wisdom you needed to overcome the many obstacles that officers have to be able to deal with daily, Officer Cook, was many of the attributes that made you the humbly confident police officer you grew up to become as one of the many Dade County police heroines and heroes of which you'll not be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You expose yourselves to the perils of your profession in order for us to experience prime moments of our lives.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 29, 2013

Patriotism is easy to understand in America. It means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country. Your father, Charles and yourself, Officer Cook, were indeed great men, distinguished and yet you each served to protect and defend those with which your took a solemn affirmation together serving our country, state and country in loyal professional and hard working dedicated service. sometimes sacrifices have to be made as they come with the responsibilities of the job. My friend, neighbor and hero you made the lives of the citizens more fruitful and vibrant than ever. For this how can we the public ever repay you, your family, friends and colleagues? One answer would be to try and accomplish something daily, even if it is the most mundane thing. Be kind and respectful to one another. The Cook Family way is to treat others the way they want to be treated and this all begins in the genes from an early age. Rest in peace along with your father and thank to both of your efforts you have uplifted our country's spirits and hope for a renewal of good things to come.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 28, 2013

Next to ingratitude, the most painful thing to bear is gratitude. But you, Officer Cook, always shunned the limelight and let your humbleness and calm, soothing voice of authority and reason follow you all the days of your treasured and prosperous life and career. We the people, the citizens of Dade County should always be grateful for men and women like yourself who stand ready to make the sacrifice to preserve our liberties wherever we desire to travel with them. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Our attitude should be our gratitude to you for a job well done and a life too short that was lived very faithfully and with a dogged determination.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 28, 2013

Labor omnia vincit. Translated from Latin into English this means work conquers all things. You employed all the resources that were within your powers, Officer Cook, to conquer the wickedness that rears its ugliness on the streets of Dade County where you were the ever faithful officer and servant of God, so devote in your spirituality and dedicated in all your official endeavors. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 28, 2013

Nature is neutral. Man has wrested from nature the power to make the world a desert or to make the desert's bloom. There is no evil in the atom; only in man's souls. Mental illness incapacitates those who tragically can no longer understand what is deemed as normal or rational. Depression sets in and before you know it that person can suddenly become a walking time bomb about to explode. If only the young man who took your young life away from you, Officer Cook, your caring and loving family members, friends and your colleagues who teamed up with you on the job to wage war and finally put an end to this unending bloodshed, mayhem and chaos that at times can get the better of us and can override all the good that this world and society has to offer each of us on their own level and to whatever agenda they may want to pursue. Persuasion should be part of the equation, but one plus one one does not always seem to equal two the way the math says it should. Two numbers: your service time of six years, your badge number: 1664, speak loud and should get the message out to the public that officers as dignified as you were in life and in carrying out your career with passion should always be remembered forever. You were that special kind of police officer who went to great lengths in teaching other officers the proper way to perform the job and to it was class, zest and zeal for your community's sake. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 27, 2013

All for our country. All for the sake of heaven. All in the name of peace, liberty, freedom of choice and for the unity that each and every city, county, village or town require for its residents to be safe , secure and sound. These were delivered by the likes of the many brave and courageous officers in law enforcement such as yourself, Officer Cook. The dynamics of your desire, devotion, dedication and determination never again to be seen because of your gallantry to intercede and prevent more bloodshed and mayhem that reared its ugliness that fateful day in Liberty City in Miami. You were God's messenger as well as our messenger in comforting, protecting,serving and finally in saving the lives of seven people, four of whom were your comrades in this seemingly never ending war against evil. Your grit, your patience in answering every call you answered was exactly why you not only became a vibrant member of the Metro-Dade Police Department family, it's my opinion you were the very best. Your highly ethical and conducive manner led you and your partners to be rewarded for all your efforts in changing the way Dade County streets were and now during these last thirty-four years have been given an extreme makeover, thanks in large part to your persistence and due diligence in heroically sacrificing for all concerned parties. Never to be forgotten. Heroes and heroines now have a safe haven to patrol God's golden streets. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 27, 2013

Remembering is a gift, a gift of love passing back and forth among yesterdays, among those that were and those that are. Death can never take away that in which all heroes and heroines of the law enforcement accomplished performing a unique dangerous job with its sole mission to ensure freedom, safety and the unity that all communities dearly yearn for. A profession that calls for all its highly trained officers to act not only in an honorable method, but to tackle different assignments at all hours, all days and under any and all atmospheric conditions. Regardless of time or the season we remember them. We maintain a vigil, Officer Cook, looking back over your stellar life and a career filled with only good things from your department. Colleagues, friends and your family members all can look back as can their future generations and realize that you made a difference and if not for your valor, they may not be here to express these sentiments. Everything we do can be directly traced to your heroic actions on May 16, 1979. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your love for all, your gift of humor, your sense of humility, coupled with your humble maturity engineered your life and the path of which you took to become a great police officer.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 27, 2013

A gentle man gathers honor in all seasons. We get set to fall back, meaning we turn the clocks back an hour and the days get a little shorter. The days, months and years, Officer Cook, never get any easier since your untimely passing. You're always going to be held in high esteem for laying your life and career on the line for your community and the community where we strive to emulate your life and all its accomplishments. You were a gentle man who possessed a compassionate heart, a passionate soul along with outstretched arms to assist whoever needed it the most. The smile and work ethic you took with you everyday to your profession is just the tip of your glowing legacy among Dade County heroes and heroines. Thank God for aspiring men and women of bravery, courage, honor and dignity performing a service to help keep those citizens unharmed and free to pursue whatever they choose to achieve through your heroic endeavors. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 27, 2013

Nature speaks in symbols and in signs and through her pictures human fate divines. Those family members look at all your pictures of you, with Karen, the day you were married, growing up in North Miami Beach, Florida and all the exciting moments of your humble beginning and a life so dedicated to policing our community in your Metro-Dade Police Department uniform. The community that respected and enjoying seeing you driving around in your patrol car doing a job, performing a profession not many of us would undertake. You undertook, you accepted the responsibilities that come with the job and its assignments, you gave your life so others could live. Humbly stated, I cannot ever remember anyone I personally know of who would risk their life to save seven people in one day. I am certain our families, the Davis' and the Cooks met by happen chance somewhere in North Miami beach at either the Grand Union supermarket, the Winn Dixie supermarket, both around the corner from your home on NE 6th Avenue or the Publix supermarket located on NE 8th Avenue. This is the nearest supermarket still in the area today. I'm never bothered by crying after looking at your picture, I always wear my emotions on my sleeve. It still amazes me that my father survived thirty-eight years in New York City as one of its finest police officers, spread over five different decades. Karen, your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, may she live and be well, your father, Mr. Charles Cook, may he rest in peace and your sister Nancy, all prayed each day of your patrol on Dade County streets. You were a true Godsend and I'm blessed to have met some of your family members. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The love you had for nature is a love of any humankind. Just keep on assisting God as He helps those officers here stay safe and make it back home to their families.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 26, 2013

Low, the moon ascending, up from the east, the silvery round moon, beautiful over the house-tops, ghastly phantom moon, immense and silent moon. Up in God's deep blue skies and the heavens above you now reside for eternity. Your soul lights up our skies as you continue on with your watch within God's golden streets. Rest in peace my neighbor,friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 26, 2013

Sea of stretched ground-swells, sea breathing broad and convulsive breaths, sea of the brine of life and of graves not yet filled in, howler of storms, capricious and dainty sea, I am integral with you, I too am of one phase and of all phases. And it was in all phases of your life and police career, Officer Cook, in which you excelled mightily. Be disciplined, be responsible, be accountable and do things right, this is what we have come to expect from all duly sworn law enforcement personnel. You always had that smile on your face, you never let anything or anybody deter you from the mission in which Our Creator placed you and many other brave men and women on this earth to serve and to protect our best interests. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 26, 2013

Come, wander with me into regions yet untrod; and read what is still unread in the manuscripts of God. You solemnly and faithfully adhered to all of God's teachings, Officer Cook and it never wavered. It lead to all of your successes in life and during your brilliant career. A champion for human rights, a man of conviction which constituted the makings of a solidly outstanding and humble path for us to follow. The words inscribed on your gravestone state it crystal clear-"We Shall Be One." unity and freedom for all because of your undying commitment to serve and to protect. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 25, 2013

Silently, one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven, blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels. What nature delivers to us is never stale because what nature creates has eternity in it. What God created in you, Officer Cook, nearly sixty years ago, was truly the coming of man of all ages, a police officer of vision and inspiration well beyond your years, who toiled and sweated for the common good of all people. Heaven has one truly bright and well lit soul of a gentleman who lived his life and days as we should all live them in good health, peace and prosperity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Keep those lights burning until we reunite with you once again.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 24, 2013

Beneath some patriarchal tree I lay upon the ground; His giant arms uplifted he and all the broad leaves over me clapped their little hands in glee, with one continuous sound. You do rest in peace, my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook, near very tall trees. The quietness, the serenity of the surroundings all bring back those memories of your wonderfully constructed life and well conceived career as a Metro-Dade Police Officer. One who stood for honor, humanity with humility, grace and gallantry, service with both passion and compassion which we don't always witness or hear about. Your humbleness spoke volumes regarding the dignity and integrity you offered to each citizen whose lives you touched in some way or shape. There will only and forever be one duly lovable and well respected officer who did something that never will go under the radar screen. Rest in peace Officer Cook.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 24, 2013

Yes marshes, how candid and simple, nothing-withholding and free, yes publish yourselves to the sky and offer yourselves to the sea! Through wet and dry, through all kinds of various elements did you, Officer Cook, sacrifice yourself on our very behalf, making sure every person, young and old, rich or poor, educated or not regardless of race was treated the same way and afforded the same rights to pursue their chosen passions in liberty and in peace. You stood up to evil, exposed yourself to this daily and in the end your soul continues to shine way up in God's deep blue night skies along with your comrades who also exposed their safeties on our behalf. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Bold men and women who give of themselves are the stuff of which heroes and heroines are made of.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 24, 2013

There is not a sprig of grass that shoots uninteresting to me, nor anything that moves. I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree. Every blade of grass of which your holy being lies beneath, Officer Cook, is important and should never be bothered other than to cut it and the weeds around your gravestone to make it appear respectable to those who visit your burial site. Your soul knows when someone comes to honor you by visiting where you have been laid to rest for your heroic actions on May 16, 1979. You can't see or hear poetry, but your loving and divine soul can hear the winds that blow the leaves of the trees and grass near where you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. A friend until the end, with the courage to merge goodness, peace and unity into their community.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 24, 2013