Metro-Dade Police Department, Florida
End of Watch Wednesday, May 16, 1979
Reflections for Police Officer William Coleman Cook
If you desire to be really happy, you must make God your final and ultimate goal. Your spirituality along with your wife Karen's, Officer Cook was always at the top of your daily priorities. Even now after all these years since your untimely passing, our ultimate goals in life are to make spiritual pursuits number one. You'll never be forgotten my neighbor, friend and hero. Rest in peace and allow us to fulfill our ambitions in a healthy and happy manner as you watch over us.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 6, 2013
A part of our petition must always be for an increasing discernment so that we can see things as God sees them. We may ask for greater faith so that we can heal others, but God, who understands human need far better than we do, gives us greater compassion so that we can weep with others. When remembering you, Officer Cook, we can shed tears and be as emotional as we want to be. Everyone mourns a person's loss differently. As compassionate and sincere as you were my neighbor, friend and hero, so too we should emulate those qualities as well. Your untimely passing leaves us baffled and searching for answers as to why this happened to such a fine and upstanding young man as you were Officer Cook. Rest in peace. One day we can petition God for the real reasons behind such tragedies.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 5, 2013
There is joy in heaven when a tear of sorrow is shed in the presence of a truly understanding heart and heaven will never forget that joy. I can say in the affirmative Amen to that Officer Cook. When God called you home, there surely was a river of tears shed and you are watching over us along with your father, Charles, making certain we are enjoying our lives, but we shall never forget the dignity and grace with which you brought to the Metro-Dade Police Department. As it says on your headstone, "We Shall Be One ." You took it upon yourself to protect your fellow officers you knew and loved working with you to protect us from wickedness. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 5, 2013
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. I will never forget your superior qualities or your braveness in undertaking a dangerous profession. I do leave these reflections for you, Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero in good faith and understand the sacrifices you and your colleagues make on our behalf daily so we can pursue our lives with greatness and dignity. Rest in peace along with your beloved father, Charles.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 5, 2013
The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get. Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness and honor. The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust. The citizens of Dade County out their trust and support solidly behind you, Officer Cook. You and Karen lived in a modest home not far from where I spent about four years of my life from 1989 until 1994. The undying love and support you gave each other was always blessed and in good taste. You supported each other's career and compromised when you needed to. Back in the day registered nurses and police officers were not compensated like they are today and police work is still as dangerous as it was when you served your department. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Life goes on and you are sorely missed by all. Still wished I had known you personally.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 5, 2013
The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry, and a wise friend's timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger. I'm sure as long as you were a police officer, Officer Cook, the timing of your coming and going was always done with precision. You acted with respect when in or out of uniform and your wisdom you so imparted on others was as priceless as gold. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 5, 2013
For all those officers who wage war against evil as you did in your career, Officer Cook, God's help should be nearer than the door. You are always there in spirit for us to chat with my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 3, 2013
Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. We should all be confident in reuniting one day with you, Officer Cook and your beloved father, Charles. Rest in peace for now my neighbor, friend and hero. It is your spirit that is giving us the energy to carry on.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 3, 2013
Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. I would say Amen to you Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero for enriching the lives of so many who came to meet up with you. Your life was truly a grand blessing in the way you and your wife, Karen, carried out your lives together, touching the very souls of your families. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. We thanks to Our creator for placing such special people as you Officer Cook in this world.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 3, 2013
You can never change the past. But by the grace of God, you can win the future. So remember those things which will help you forward, but forget those things which will only hold you back. The problem is you know and we know that life goes on, we cannot bring you and you colleagues who gave their lives back. We can only enhance your spirit by not forgetting your actions which cost you your cherished existence. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 3, 2013
Things never go so well that one should have no fear, and never so ill that one should have no hope. Since you put your faith in God's hands, Officer Cook, more often than not he delivered from evil. After all, officers that give a supreme effort as you did, often are saved from peril. That fateful day, you responded to a call you didn't have to go to and because of your heroic actions you saved your colleagues from certain death and the civilians involved as well. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Every person on this earth shows fear, it's a trait found in every red-blooded human being including police officers for as much training as they receive.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 3, 2013
God is here. I have joyously discovered that He is always "up to something" in my life, and I am learning to quit second-guessing Him and simply trust the process. We can second-guess why you answered a call that you did not have to respond to, Officer Cook. You responded and gave the very better effort to calm a dangerous dilemma. You saved the lives of four other officers that day because of your courageous actions. Never again to be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. I can't fathom Officer Cook, and I do not know it personally if you ever gave another thought to doing anything different with your life. You lived honorably and passed honorably because of the man you were, Officer William C. Cook: Badge#1664.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 2, 2013
Bring bread to the table and your friends will bring their joy to share. It's a shame our families never broke bread together, Officer Cook. Hopefully the Wilkerson's can be my guests at a holiday where I lead services. I miss you as a friend and neighbor. You'll always be a hero in my eyes for your heroic actions on May 16, 1979. Rest in peace. I hope when you got to heaven you and your father were introduced to my dad, Owen, he should rest in peace who was a veteran New York City Police Officer.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 2, 2013
If you would be happy all your life, plant a garden. I'd like to dedicate a plaque at Sabal palm Elementary God willing and plant a small plant because you enjoyed the great outdoors Officer Cook. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. It is time for someone to give back to the community you loved and gave your very life in order to make it safer.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 2, 2013
The wise don't expect to find life worth living; they make it that way. Officer Cook, you made life worth living, it's tragic the way your life ended. But, that doesn't mean your passing was in vain. God forbid, your sacrifice my neighbor, friend and hero, maybe and probably is a lesson in resourcefulness that is being shared by every department in the United States and in Canada for all their officers to witness and learn from. Rest in peace. You had so much more to live for. God and your father were calling for you.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 2, 2013
The ways of right-living people glow with light; the longer they live, the brighter they shine. But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker-travelers can't see a thing; they fall flat on their faces. You lived a truly righteous and devout life, Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero. Now we need to stay on the proper side of the road that leads to good things the world has to offer.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 2, 2013
Wise is he who can take the little moment as it comes and make it brighter ere 'tis gone. You brightened up all of our lives, Officer Cook, now we have to do something to honor you and the sacrifice you made on our behalf. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 2, 2013
false weights and unequal measures- the Lord detests double standards of every kind. Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right. Your sister, Nancy and you, Officer Cook, were raised with the highest set of morals and that is why you were both successful in all your endeavors. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 2, 2013
Teachers point to the door, but you must enter by yourself. You always were respectful of your elders, Officer Cook, and respected those officers who were your superiors. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 2, 2013
Act quickly, think slowly. Sometimes there are incidents or situations that require thinking quickly. On May 16, 1979, Officer Cook, you and your fellow officers did not have the luxury of wasting a precious moment with the problem that confounded you. You and your fellow officers reacted as professionally as you could and in a blink of an eye, you were tragically taken from us. This serves us a wake up call that all officers need to pay attention to their surroundings. But, I guarantee you will never be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 2, 2013
The resources which are given to us can never be taken and when God called you, Officer Cook, He is forever watching over you, what beauty was in your heart and soul that you gave to others and that which was given to you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 2, 2013
Those who are steadily learning how to love are enabled to do this because the very love of God Himself, has been put into our hearts. You surely loved your family and those who worked beside you, Officer Cook, loved you and to this day their hearts are still saddened by your passing. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. I hope all of your family had and will continue to have a most blessed New Year.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
January 2, 2013
I meant to say in the last reflection he brought joy,meaning your late husband, Officer William Cook, brought joy to you. I also meant to say the community you lived in. Rest in peace Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
December 31, 2012
Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. Karen, you certainly did this all the days and years you were married to my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer William C. Cook. Her brought joy and pleasure to you. Your careers caring for people making them healthier and safer were of paramount importance to you both. You each utilized your skills and talents to make the community you live din a better place to grow and prosper. Officer Cook, you will forever be thought of in the highest circles for your courage and admiration. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. He treated you as a queen and I'm sure he was always there for you as you were for him.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
December 31, 2012
The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things. This is what made you so eclectic, Officer Cook, you had other hobbies and joys away from work along with spending those quiet and special moments with Karen. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
December 31, 2012