Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Nothing astonishes men so much as common sense and plain dealing. That is why we have officers so bold and brave like you, Officer Cook, daring to pursue where no on else will go. Every officer needs to employ common sense and from what I have been reading recently in the newspapers, common sense and plain dealing seems to have run astray. Why can't all officers display these traits like yourself and your other forty-one comrades from Metro-Dade who laid down their lives for a purpose and with no preconceived notions? All officers know and accept the risks and are made acutely aware of the dangers of what may transpire. You all enjoyed your work and the rewarding career and the challenges that it offers, but you made a lifetime decision to become a duly trained law enforcement official who relished being in the public eye. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 3, 2013

How can we speak of the action of the mind under any divisions, as of its knowledge, of its ethics, of its works, and so forth, since it melts will in perception, knowledge into act? each becomes the other. Itself alone is. You work ethic, Officer Cook, was among the best in Metro-Dade County Police Department history, if not the best. Because of your set priorities, my neighbor, friend and hero, you always had the best interests of the citizens you protected ahead of you and on May 16, 1979, these actions were no different than all your days on the force, except this was a tall task you and your comrades had at hand trying to calm a young man and keep peace in the streets of Liberty City in Miami-Dade County where your presence was always and will forever be noticeably felt. Perception can in certain circumstances be reality and the reality of this day is your heroic character will always be legendary among all the people. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 3, 2013

One man's justice is another's injustice; one man's beauty another's ugliness; one man's wisdom another's folly. One officer like yourself, Officer Cook, full of compassion and wisdom, more mature than your twenty-five years, who could lighten up the moment with your bright smile and bubbly personality, you had everything headed in the right direction, and yet none of us can believe that you have been called up to God's heavenly throne. You will always be here in spirit. That can never be taken away from us. Your loving family, friends and colleagues who remember the kind of person and exceptional police officer you turned out to be. So giving, so caring, so full of life, you'll always be our inspirational guide and we ask that you see to it that our compasses are always pointed in the right direction. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 3, 2013

Every excess causes a defect; every defect an excess. Every sweet has its sour; every evil its good. Every faculty which is a receiver of pleasure has an equal penalty put on its abuse. It is to answer for its moderation with its life. Police officers can only perform their duties when given not only the proper training, but placed in a position to succeed, even knowing that there are risks and dangers involved. And Officer Cook, you were aware and knew the evil that day that might place your life and the lives of your fellow officers and those three civilians in great jeopardy, none the less, you placed your life in harm's way, saving the lives of your comrades and those innocent civilians. You were our hero along with your forty-one other colleagues who gave their lives in the line of duty and are to be forever commended. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 3, 2013

Good and bad are but names very readily transferable to that or this. There is a lot of greatness in society, Officer Cook, and it was because of your tireless pursuits to see that citizens remained safe and sound. Police officers surely have to be cautious when responding to incidents and through their efforts goodness can and will forever prevail and triumph over wickedness. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 3, 2013

I really believe there are things nobody would see if I didn't photograph them. As an amateur photographer, Officer Cook, you certainly valued nature, but you valued something more precious and that was human life. Your undaunted and untiring commitment to service was very much appreciated and that was what made you the unique and outstanding officer that your Division Chief, Dale P. Bowlin, came to know and admire. You thought of very much in the circles of your department and your colleagues. Keep taking those beautiful pictures from the skies above as you continue helping God watch over us and those officers whose dedication and desire endeavors to replicate what you displayed. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Mr. Bowlin knew he could count on your excellent intellect and keen intuition.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 2, 2013

An optimist sees opportunity in every calamity. A pessimist sees calamity in every opportunity. And police officers like you, Officer Cook, take notice of the infrastructure and attempt to make improvements in it. Your resourcefulness was a breath of fresh air your department surely needed. This is very much absent today, but for what you stood for and represented with pride and dignity this will never be forgotten nor forsaken. You were not a status quota officer, you looked with a fervor where you could travel to change the lives of those you served and protected. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 2, 2013

Even after your passing, Officer Cook, we know God makes salvation flourish. Great things have occurred in the community because of the way you policed and served the citizens. As you watch over your family, friends and colleagues, keep assisting Our Creator as He continues making wondrous things happen. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 2, 2013

There must be, not a balance of power, but a community of power; not organized rivalries, but an organized common peace. You galvanized the community with your presence and sound way of compassion and calming reason, Officer Cook. This can and will never get lost in the translation. All officers need to understand why you came into this profession and the message you imparted to those near and dear to your heart. Virtue, liberty and independence were you answers to unrest and violence, thirty-four years later this has stood as your mantel. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 1, 2013

There is a price which is too great to pay for peace and that price can be put in one word. One cannot pay the price of self-respect. You paid this very dear price, Officer Cook and your fellow officers knew you were the man to come to the rescue of your comrades who nearly lost their lives as you did. That advice you instilled in others sure paid dividends and continues to pay those residuals. Dade County is certainly indebted to you my neighbor, friend and hero. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 1, 2013

But dream not helm and harness the sign of valor true; peace hath higher tests of manhood than battle ever knew. You dreamed and were not afraid to pursue a career lurking with pitfalls and just about anything that could deter an officer. Officer Cook, you were battle tested and your skills were greater than some officers older than yourself and yet the maturity level you had made you wider than most. You paid the ultimate price to ensure unity and justice and are not forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You harnessed your power for practical gains that are now well noticed in the community you patrolled.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 1, 2013

Peace is not the work of a single day, nor will it be the consequence of a single act. Yet every constructive act contributes to its growth; every omission impedes it. Peace will come, in the end, if it comes at all, as a child grows to maturity-slowly, imperceptibly, until we realize one day in incredulous surprise that a child is almost grown. It took you, Officer Cook, many years, at least a couple years to make a truly dedicated officer out of you. You listened, asked questions and soaked in all the information one could absorb. It made you fearless, yet resolved to get at the root of evil. Determined to conquer all, you gave your last ounce of strength to gain a handle on this violence which cost us a most precious and treasured human being indeed. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, you are now among God's treasured officers along with twenty-thousand other men and women undaunted in their trail of excellence.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 1, 2013

For lo! The days are hastening on, by prophet-bards foretold, when with the ever-circling years, comes round the age of gold; when peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling and the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing. The days come and go pretty fast, Officer Cook, if only we could have turned back the clock and brought you back with us. Haste makes waste and you were a firm believer in utilizing your time very wisely. Help those who serve our country and community use their skills and times wisely, my neighbor, friend and hero. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 1, 2013

It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it. You worked every moment on this saying, Officer Cook and it made you the personification of being the excellent police officer your department and citizens came to know, respect and admire. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 1, 2013

Our goal will be peace. Our instrument for achieving peace will be law and justice. Our hope will be that, under these conditions, the vast energies now devoted to weapons of war will instead be used to clothe, house and feed the entire world. This is the only goal worthy of our aspirations. Competing in this way, nobody will lose and mankind will gain. Our community has gained much insight since the day you gave your life, Officer Cook, to bring justice and truth to balance out on the scales of fairness and unity. As the message on your gravestone says: No greater love than he who gives up his life for his friends. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 1, 2013

Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles. As a principled man of integrity and values, Officer Cook, you are trained to act accordingly as the situation warrants it. A man of peace, a man of ingenuity, of creativity, you wanted things to work out as planned on your last watch. You answered a call you were not obligated to respond to and you achieved in saving seven lives of your fellow officers and three civilians. no one can ever, ever question your relentless pursuit to bring a resolution about and end a day of violence in which your young life, your grit, your heart and innocence was taken from you. You had so much, much more to contribute to this world in terms of your endearment and leadership abilities.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 1, 2013

The peace we seek is nothing less than fulfillment of our whole faith among ourselves and in our dealings with others. This signifies more than the stilling of guns, easing the sorrow of war. More than an escape from death, it is a way of life. More than a haven for the weary, it is a hope for the brave. what wearies me, Officer Cook, is how violence still and probably will always cost this country and great nation the lives of brave men and women who like you who were challenged in your resignation to stamp out evil and to come to grips with how officers could better lead their communities in unifying in peace, instead of bloodshed and mayhem. You were the best in calming folks down when just a little service of your lips what the solution, in place of picking up a weapon and thinking this would be the cure all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 1, 2013

You have to take chances for peace, just as you must take chances in war....The ability to get to the verge without getting into war is the necessary art. If you try to run away from it, if you are scared to go to the brink, you are lost. You gave up your life on May 16, 1979, Officer Cook, because you were undaunted and relentless in your pursuit of peace. You were an officer who did not run from danger as most officers don't, you stood there toe to toe and stood your ground to overcome a young man thinking of leaving this world by shooting police officers and showing no indifference to his ruthless acts of violence. You'll always be a hero to us! Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and true police hero, a man of values, a man of keen intellect and fabulous servitude.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 1, 2013

A peaceful world is a world in which differences are tolerated and not eliminated by violence. This is why we have freedom of speech, religion and the right to have an assembly. It was your job status to ensure, Officer Cook, that everything was within the boundaries of the law. Tragedies do occur, we do not plan for them, 911 was one of the greatest examples of our nation being caught off guard by terrorists and thousands upon thousands of innocent children and adults with loving families lost their lives. For what? Police officers train and they are made aware of the risks they encounter while being interviewed to see if they the right fit for the police academy. You were just that proper fit, my neighbor, friend and hero and you made certain other officers marched to the same drumbeat as you. Rest in peace and continue "drumming" into us the importance of honesty and integrity. It's a lesson never to be forgotten. You heard it over and over until you graduated from the academy.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 1, 2013

The ladders, the ropes, the stairs, the walls may have been tough to climb, but with your guidance and compassion, Officer Cook, you made it easier for other officers to master. Your patriotism was just your loyalty to friends, people and families. I hope your family enjoys the safest and joyful of Independence Day holidays from my family to your family. Our country, our nation, our community, right or wrong, when right, to be kept right; when wrong, to be put right and that is what you enjoyed doing and were the best at accomplishing. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 1, 2013

Condense some daily experience into a glowing symbol and an audience is electrified. Your electric personality, Officer Cook, was met with charming enthusiasm as it permeated throughout your department. This charm and grace is very much missed as is your infectious smile. You made the uniform fit exactly as it should in your mannerisms and diligence to service. A lesson for sure you could impart to today's crop of men and women who enter the police academy. A no nonsense police officer, who went by rules and regulations and still made police work enjoyable and especially for someone to work as a partner with you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 1, 2013

In this broad earth of ours, amid the measureless grossness and the slag, enclosed and safe within its central heart, nestles the seed perfection. You were put on this earth, Officer Cook, to respond to citizens when in trouble and you performed very admirably. Your capabilities took over and then God's hands guided you on all your paths while policing or doing whatever you needed to do to go beyond what we expect of special people such as yourself. You were God's gift to the world and to your loving family members, friends and colleagues for twenty-five very treasured years. History within your department will forever record your great work ethic and passion that you delivered each and everyday. Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, you'll always be with those who loved and cherished you forever.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 1, 2013

Art can never match the luxury and superfluity of nature. In the former all is seen; it cannot afford concealed wealth and is scant in comparison; but nature, even when she is scant and thin outwardly, satisfies us still by the assurance of a certain generosity at the roots. I don't know if either you, Officer Cook or Karen were lovers of art, I think you both had an appreciation for the great outdoors and being able to breathe clean fresh air in the mountains. You lived your lives humbly and you both worked very hard at your professions to make your realities come true. Conceit was not a part of your life, only compassion and all its attributes. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 1, 2013

The universe is so aptly fitted to our organization, that the eye wanders and reposes at the same time. On every side there is something to soothe and refresh this sense. Look up at the tree-tops and see how nicely nature finishes off her work there. See how the pines spire without end higher and higher and make a graceful fringe to the earth. And who shall count the finer cobwebs that soar and float away from their utmost tops and the myriad insects that dodge between them. Leaves are of various forms than the alphabets of all languages put together; of the oaks alone there are hardly two alike and each expresses its own character. You, Officer Cook and your fellow police academy recruits sort of spun your own careers and formulated plans for your futures within a department. If it was in South Florida, I'm sure it would have been with a prominent office and you still would have succeeded in your endeavors. Some officers, might have gotten into trouble later on in their careers, but I have a certain feeling not too many from your basic law enforcement class did get in trouble and most if not all were successful. As one of your colleagues said, it's important to finish your shift safely and return home. You put down, rather, laid down your life so we could live in peace, security and pursue whatever we want to chase after. And I will never forget your outstanding service to Dade County and its citizens you so faithfully protected and who afforded you the greatest respect due to a law enforcement officer. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 1, 2013

A child said, what is the grass? fetching it to me with full hands; how could I answer the child? I do not know what it is any more than he. When your niece and children visited your grave, I'm assuming they went, after all you would have eaten up those kids as their doting and adored great-uncle. Eaten meaning you would have loved and cherished them as if they were your own. They are your flesh and blood. Those whirlybirds signified life always going around and never pausing for a moment. That's what you stood for, Officer Cook, life going forward and your life should have continued, but God needed you for a special Godly mission after you had completed your tasks at hand in this world with grace and patience executed in all your endeavors. Legend, Alexis and Skyler miss you very much, as does the rest of your loving and honorable family members. I was very grateful and humbled to spend some time in your mother's home and to kick a soccer ball in her backyard with Legend. Mrs. Cook, you'll always be in my thoughts and prayers and I'll always take the time to visit your son, "Billy's" grave. For how he served and honored mankind, this is the least, but probably should be more we can do for his memory and legacy. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 1, 2013