Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Nothing is more simple than greatness; indeed, to be simple is to be great. You were brought up, Officer Cook, humbly and by very loving and caring parents who simply wanted what was in both Nancy's and in your best interests. You became something wonderful to our nation and to modern society, by working very hard to be a dedicated police officer. We need you to watch over us as those officers who followed in your footsteps continue waging war in an effort to bring peace to this universe. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 19, 2013

It will never make any difference to a hero what the laws are. His greatness will shine and accomplish itself unto the end, whether they second him or not. There do not need to be any seconds, thirds, or etc. You, Officer Cook, as a skillful and highly trained police officer did what you could within the parameters of the law to stop a dispute that escalated beyond the bounds of normalcy. You took charge and your heroic actions saved the day for your comrades and those three civilians wounded by a mad man. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. All of us in this community thank you for being the humble and devoted servant you were.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 19, 2013

There is somewhat in great actions which does not allow us to go behind them. Heroism feels and never reasons and therefore is always right; and although a different breeding, different religion and greater intellectual activity would have modified or even reversed the particular action, yet for the hero that thing he does is the highest deed and is not open to the censure of philosophers or divines. Whenever a police officer such as yourself, Officer Cook, places their life on the line we all know that act is the most sacred thing a person of your position can achieve and we the community can never be grateful enough for your extreme valor. There is a saying in the Oral Law, it is called the Talmud and this explains the Old Testament, called the Torah. It states if one person saves one life, he has saved an entire universe. My neighbor, friend and hero, you sir did your job in a most commendable manner and are to be always saluted. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 19, 2013

It is important not to confuse stability with force, or the greatness of a thing with its duration. In democratic republics the power that directs society is not stable, for it often changes hands and assumes a new direction. But whichever way it turns, its force is almost irresistible. Police officers sometimes need to use force deadly or otherwise to qwell a particular event, that is why, Officer Cook, you were flawless in your performance of duty and making wise decisions to bring a problem to a peaceful conclusion. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your stability catapaulted you to greatness during your career,

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 19, 2013

The greatest man is he who chooses the right with invincible resolution, who resists the sorest temptations from within and without, who bears the heaviest burdens cheerfully, who is calmest in storms and most fearless under menace and frowns, whose reliance on truth, on virtue, on God, is most unfaltering. This was also your mantra in life, Officer Cook, to act calm, cool and collected and not let temptation grab hold of you as it has done to so many other officers. We all know police work has its challenges and it is up to the officer to resist them that allows them to get the job done properly the first time out. Succeeding and survival depend on an officer's attitude. That is why they go through a rigorous training program at the police academy, it helps to weed out those men and women who are both not physically or mentally cut out for the profession. You desired my neighbor, friend and hero to do the job correctly and with a zeal and enthusiasm to match. You achieved on both of these fronts. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 18, 2013

Greatness, after all, in spite of its name, appears to be not so much a certain size as a certain quality in human lives. It may be present in lives whose range is very small. and the essence of greatness itself is that there is a perception that virtue is enough. Your name, Officer Cook as listed in Metro-Dade Police Department's Roll of Honor indicates to us the citizens and community at large of how well you performed your assignments and the fact that you accepted even greater tasks that were always accompanied with the risks of harm that may have followed behind them. But, nonetheless, you were a brave officer to put all of that in the way and save the lives of seven persons on May 16, 1979. Your comrades all remembered and appreciated the fact of your answering a call you were not mandated to go to. Your resolve was steadfast and your valor superb in spite of the seriousness of the problem confronting you and your fellow officers that day. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 18, 2013

To the free man, the country is the collection of individuals who compose it, not something over and above them. He is proud of a common heritage and loyal to common traditions. But he regards government as a means, an instrumentality, neither a grantor of favors and gifts, nor a master of God to be blindly worshiped and served. He recognizes no national goal except as it is the consensus of the goals the citizens severally serve. He recognizes no national purpose except as it is the consensus of the purposes for which the citizens severally strive. You endeavored for quality each day on the job, Officer Cook and that is why after making a difference and the sacrifice needed for others to carry on that you are always going to be honored and treasured as a true patriot for Dade County residents. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 18, 2013

The very essence of a free government consists in considering offices as public trusts, bestowed for the good of the country and not for the benefit of an individual or a party. You had the trust of Dade County, Officer Cook and you gave your very life to see that trust not become polluted nor corrupted. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Thanks to men and women like you, Officer Cook, we can look forward to visions of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 18, 2013

There is so much good in the worst of us and so much bad in the best of us, that it hardly behooves any one of us to talk about the rest of us. Hear no ill of a friend, nor speak any of an enemy. Gossip is only the lack of a worthy theme. Knowing, what all experience serves to show, no mud can soil us but the mud we throw. There was so much good in your life, Officer Cook, that began as a young boy and and continue to develop as you were growing up to become the upstanding police officer that Dade County came to know and cherish. You had so much more to contribute to society, but God decided at age twenty-five that your contributions were brave enough to warrant a heavenly call to God's divine streets where only now can you be totally sheltered as you watch over us. Your contributions were more than most people would make in an entire lifetime. What eminated from your lips was only what your loving parents imparted to you and your sister, Nancy, growing up. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 18, 2013

Wisdom, justice, moderation. If any officers lacks these three essentials qualities, their fitness to serve can come into question. Officer Cook, you were wise in your associations. you were fair, just and unbiased when necessity knocked. And you tended to assess your dilemmas with a moderate approach until more steps were needed to solve the problem. Your soothing and calming voice of reason is surely missed this day and always. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 18, 2013

Genius is not a single power.... It reasons, but it is not reasoning; it judges, but it is not judgment; it imagines, but it is not imagination; it feels deeply and fiercely, but it is not passion. It is neither, because it is all. Genius is no snob. It does not run after titles or seek by preference the high circles of society. You did not chase honor and glory, Officer Cook, you went after the roots of evil and were able to make a large dent in the crime rate while serving those citizens you were obligated to serve and protect. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 18, 2013

Genius is the father of a heavenly line; but the mortal mother, that is industry. Men of genius are far more abundant than supposed. In fact, to appreciate thoroughly the work of what we call genius, is to possess all the genius by which the work was produced. The work you turned out each day, Officer Cook, was always rated far more superior than that of most of your colleagues. You were appreciated for making the ultimate in wisdom and honor, obedience and loyalty. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 18, 2013

Genius is the ability to act wisely without precedent-the power to do the right thing the first time. Officers don't always receive second opportunities to correct a mistake so they have to be more alert and cautious when performing their sworn duties. talent is that which is in a man's power; genius is that in whose power a man is. You utilized your power, Officer Cook, properly at all times and it made you the confident officer who was able to thrive and survive when called upon. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 18, 2013

The miracles of genius always rest on profound convictions which refuse to be analyzed. Genius is always impatient of its harness; its wild blood makes it hard to train. An impatient or temper filled police recruit is hard to train, can be difficult to train and to be able to absorb the harsh realities that the police profession brings. Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero, your pedigree stood out in proper formation among your colleagues and the sanity and wit you brought to your job stayed with you all those years you were dutifully employed with Dade County. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 18, 2013

Talent finds its models, methods and ends in society, exists for exhibition and goes to the soul only for power to work. Genius is its own end and draws its means and the style of its architecture from within. They, meaning the Metro-Dade Police Department did not have to travel very far to find an outstanding recruit. Officer Cook, you were the model officer whose personification was magnified by your exemplary character and call to duty. Chief Dale P. Bowlin knew he had one fine and outstanding officer in his department and as he reflected your actions that day of May 16, 1979, were truly heroic in that you saved seven lives, placing you life in harm's way to stop a young man tragically bent on violence. Rest in peace neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 18, 2013

Genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration. Officer Cook, I believe officers such as yourself do give of themselves and the reward is based on the sweat and toil by which you accomplish your tasks at hand. You are to be forever saluted for your service. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 18, 2013

There are the prerogatives of genius: to know without having learned; to draw just conclusions from unknown premises; to discern the soul of things. You were mature than most of your peers, Officer Cook and the level-headedness you showed only confirmed what we already knew and that was your true character and how you performed with dignity and integrity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 18, 2013

The hymn they play at Inspector's Funerals one could say demonstrates a police officer's amazing grace and how officers such as yourself, Officer Cook, deal with every and any possible problem with courage, bravery and valor personified. The excellence you displayed was truly amazing and will not be replicated. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Amazing Grace strikes an emotional chord and it should evoke emotion after all, don't we want our officers who work under stress and in all conditions to show some compassion? They perform amazingly most of the time and like yourself, Officer Cook did not look for any accolades or glory. True respect and honor humbly comes to those when they least expect it.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 18, 2013

True friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation. Friendship can take a whole life to develop, but it is the one who can maintain their friends and help others make them that is the sign of a true individual. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Officer Cook, you were the steady force and bond between all of your fellow officers never to be forgotten.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 17, 2013

There can be no friendship where there is no freedom. Friendship loves a free air and will not be fenced up in straight and narrow enclosures. You helped maintain open dialogues, Officer Cook, which led to friendships and helped ward off evil in our society. You were there when called upon and now we call upon your soul to help us when needed. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 17, 2013

A man cannot be said to succeed in this life who does not satisfy one friend. Your accommodated many, Officer Cook. A true friend unbosoms freely, advises justly, assists readily, adventures boldly, takes all patiently, defends courageously and continues a friend without change. All of the above is true about you my neighbor, friend and hero. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 17, 2013

I breathed a song into the air, it fell to earth, I knew not where....and the song, from beginning to end, I found again in the heart of a friend. The song they play at Inspector's Funerals, Officer Cook, seems to inspire us to remember your bravery, courage and wit in policing our community. We salute you at the start and at the finish when we place your very special soul back in God's keeping forever to fly the highest heights. For all your lofty aspirations, let us aspire to lead by your inspirations performed in dignity and integrity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 17, 2013

Friendship is both a treasure and a comfort. Fame is the scentless sunflower, with gaudy crown of gold; but friendship is the breathing rose, with sweets in every fold. You were a very sweet man, Officer Cook, too young to leave this world and the gaping hole left by your untimely departure. Your friend is the man who knows all about you and still likes you. You'll never stop being toasted for your bravery, Officer Cook. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 17, 2013

A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature. The only way to have a friend is to be one. How very true, Officer Cook, you endeared yourself to so many citizens and law enforcement personnel, it would be impossible to count the very many close friends that shared good times and attended your Inspector's Funeral to salute you one final time. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 17, 2013

A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. before him I may think aloud. Your colleagues always enjoyed their moments with you, Officer Cook, if you were on a tennis court or at a table enjoying a fine meal with them. That is surely missed today, but they have never forgotten your engaging spirit. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 17, 2013