Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Today Officer Cook my wife holly and I visited your grave the day before the anniversary of your end of watch, Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.The American flag and the flag representing fallen officers was placed on your grave. I'll continue to keep your beloved family and mother Mrs. Julia Cook in my prayers.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 15, 2012

The success of a leader can be best estimated by his relations to his people. The true leader is one who concerns himself with the people he is leading.One characteristic of a true leader is to provide an example to those who follow him and to deny himself many privileges of a follower. The true function of a leader is to take the average individual and to broaden his concept of his potential capacities. That day of May 16, 1979 Officer Cook, you showed your partner Reserve Officer Scott Lincoln, what it meant to be a true leader. You went above and beyond in making the ultimate sacrifice to protect your fellow officers in serving Dade County citizens. I wanted to leave a further addendum to the above paragraph. Lord,Thou knowest that I know myself that I am growing older, and will some day be old. Keep me from getting talkative, and particularly from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to try to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me me thoughtful, but not moody: helpful, but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all-but Thou knowest, Lord that I want a few friends at the end.... seal my lips to my many aches and pains- they are increasing, and my love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally it is possible that I may be mistaken. What tragedy! What a blow, a staggering blow! What a disappointment! My neighbor, friend and hero Officer Cook, you displayed so much in a short life. But for what you sacrificed that fateful day, you'll always and forever be remembered by your family, friends and esteemed colleagues. I believe many officers from around the country and Canada attended your Inspector's Funeral and for the life and lessons you imparted on all those privileged to be around you and to work with you, the memories will remain. Rest in peace and hopefully those who follow in your majestic footsteps will proudly carry on the torch and your beautiful legacy.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 12, 2012

The success of a leader can be best estimated by his relations to his people. The true leader is one who concerns himself with the people he is leading.One characteristic of a true leader is to provide an example to those who follow hom and to deny himself many privileges of a follower. The true function of a leader is to take the average individual and to broaden his concept of his potential capacities. That day of May 16, 1979 Officer Cook, you showed your partner Reserve Officer Scott Lincoln, what it meant to be a true leader. You went above and beyond in making the ultimate sacrifice to protect your fellow officers in serving Dade County citizens. I wanted to leave a further addendum to the above paragraph. Lord,Thou knowest that I know myself that I am growing older, and will some day be old. Keep me from getting talkative, and particularly from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to try to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me me thoughtful, but not moody: helpful, but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all-but Thou knowest, Lord that I want a few friends at the end.... seal my lips to my many aches and pains- they are increasing, and my love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally it is possible that I may be mistaken. What tragedy! What a blow, a staggering blow! What a disappointment! My neighbor, friend and hero Officer Cook, you displayed so much in a short life. But for what you sacrificed that fateful day, you'll always and forever be remembered by your family, friends and esteemed colleagues. I believe many officers from around the country and Canada attended your Inspector's Funeral and for the life and lessons you imparted on all those privileged to be around you and to work with you, the memories will remain. Rest in peace and hopefully those who follow in your majestic footsteps will proudly carry on the torch and your beautiful legacy.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 12, 2012

Opportunity knocks at every man's door at least once in a lifetime. Every person has their share in life, what we need most is not so much to realize the ideal as to idealize the real. People need to make each and every moment count. Life calls for courage, and demands that we break from the majority when the will of the majority is contradictory to the rules of God. My neighbor, friend and hero Officer Cook, you made each moment of your treasured life count by giving that very breath, we call life to serve God and the citizens of Dade County. Rest in peace and know that you will never be forgotten by me. I still regret that I never had the chance to meet and spend time conversing with you. At least I met your niece, Gina, her children and your nephew Justin and received a wonderful letter from your dear mother, Mrs. Julia Cook.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 6, 2012

As your family may know, I am on this site daily, and it still amazes me, all of these tragedies. Too many accidental shootings of officers, even an officer who wanted to be shot to observe how it felt. Tragedy beyond comprehension, but make no mistake, you lived your life as a hero and your heroism that day, May 16, 1979 will never go unnoticed by me. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook. Hopefully, this Thursday, May 4th I can attend the Police Memorial at tropical Park in Miami for you and your colleagues who gallantly served Dade County Citizens. Of course, I will keep your mom Mrs. Julia Cook in my prayers.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 29, 2012

Genius is a gift, wisdom is an achievement. Both of these extraordinary traits you possesed as you carried out your law enforcement career in such an honorable manner. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 26, 2012

In the words of our National Anthem, "The Land of The Free and The Home of The Brave," my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer you personified these words as you performed your duties, rest in peace and I will forever keep your mom Mrs. Julia Cook in my thoughts ans prayers.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 22, 2012

It says in our National Anthem, "And The Land Of THe Free and The Home Of The Brave," these words personify the courage that you displayed, my neighbor, friend and hero. Rest in peace Officer Cook, and I'll forever keep your mom, Mrs. Julia Cook in my thoughts and prayers.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 21, 2012

We say in the National Anthem, "Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave," Officer Cook my neighbor, friend and hero you personified bravery to the zenith. Rest in peace and continue to watch over your fellow law enforcement colleagues. Mrs. Cook, I will always think of you in my thoughts and prayers.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 21, 2012

In honore casorum, Gone, but not forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero Officer Cook.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 15, 2012

You are a true hero by the profession you chose Officer Cook. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. One day, I want to take my wife and younger son to your grave. I think it's important they know of your sacrifice. You are thought of each day along with my parents. When I see your smiling face, I know you made everyone proud of who you were and humbly speaking how you carried out your duties to Dade County and its citizens.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 11, 2012

I meant to say Ii wanted to leave a reflection for you Officer Cook. Once again, rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 10, 2012

I just decided to a reflection for you Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero. Rest in peace. Your heroism will never be forgotten by me.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 9, 2012

Today is Good Friday, Passover starting tonight, and Easter Sunday, this is the time of year when we try to be as humble as you were professionally and when with your family. Rest in peace Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero. To your loving family, I wish all of you a healthy and joyous holiday season. Mrs. Cook, I will always say a prayer for you.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 6, 2012

Faith is the eye that sees God, the hand that clings to Him, and the heart that yearns for Him. Faith is the very soul of religion, an image of eternity. faith is one of the seven attributes that minister to the throne of glory. They are: faith, righteousness, judgment, grace, compassion, truth and peace. As it is said: "and I will betroth you unto Me in faith and you will know the Lord." The righteous man lives by his faith. Officer Cook, as a devout Catholic, you lived your life precisely by these words and deserve God's blessings as you watch over us in Heaven. The Heavenly Gates have a beloved servant for these thirty-three years and for eternity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero and watch over your family and all those for whom you took an oath to serve and protect. I wish you and your family a healthy and blessed Good Friday and Happy Easter. I will always keep your mom, Mrs. Julia Cook in my thoughts and prayers.Passover falls the same time and the lessons it imparts on each of us should not be forgotten. We need to count our blessings every day.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 29, 2012

How Do You Live Your Dash? I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend he referred to the dates on his tombstone from the beginning.... to the end. He noted that first came his date of birth and spoke the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years. For that dash represents all the time that he spent alive on earth and now only those who loved him know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own: The cars... the house.. the cash, what matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash. So think about this long and hard.. are things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can be rearranged. If we could slow down enough to consider what's true and real and always try to understand the way other people feel. And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before. If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.So, when your eulogy's being read with your life's actions to rehash.. would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash? I was eulogizing a gentleman the other day and was asked by his family to read this short poem, and I thought to myself how this would have to you Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero. The point reaches home, exactly as you lived your life, in humbleness, love, compassion and the gentle and warmth that came from your being. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 24, 2012

To Everything There Is A Season, And To Every Purpose under the Heaven. This saying most definitely applies to my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook. Rest in peace and one day we may learn the reasons for what Our Creator has planned for us.You had a plan for your future and followed through with it and your bravery and courage will never be forgotten.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 22, 2012

Time never diminishes respect. Lord, You know that I know myself that i am growing older, and will some day be old. Keep me from getting talkative, and particularly from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to try to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me thoughtful, but not moody: helpful, but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all- but You know, Lord, that I want friends at the end.... Seal my lips to my many aches and pains- They are increasing, and my love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally it is possible that I may be mistaken.... Rest in peace my friend, neighbor and hero Officer Cook. These are powerful words to live by and words that you lived by during your extraordinary life and led as a shinning example for us all to follow.The humility you so often displayed, as was reflected on by a friend and classmate. Chief Geoff Jacobs, who said you were mature beyond your twenty-five years on Earth. I will always admire what you stood for on May 16, 1979 and all Dade County citizens should too. Leadership is found within an individual, they are not born to lead. Your ability to size up a situation, from from those I spoke to was outstanding as well as being able to pacify those who needed a calming voice of reason. Most of us would be humbled to sit with you in your company for a few precious moments and I wish we could have do so, but Our Creator had other plans. There is another saying: A man thinks and God laughs, as a Rabbi, I still am trying to ponder and figure out what this means, when I try to explain this to older people, where I lead services. God gives each of us tests, from A to Z, to see if we are making the world a better place as you did during your lifetime.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 19, 2012

In the previous reflection, I meant to say Officer Cook, you lived precisely by these words. You cared, shared and were there to serve and protect the citizens of Dade County and for this we need to be eternally grateful. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.I hope this reflection finds your mom, Mrs. Julia Cook and the rest of your wonderful family doing well.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 15, 2012

"A good will to which a man should cleave is to foresee the fruit of an action." every action is like a tree that bears fruits- good or bad. It is the prudent person who weighs the result of each action.During your life Officer Cook, you precisely by these words. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 12, 2012

Don't Quit When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, when the road you're trudging seems all uphill, when the funds are low and the debts are high, and you want to smile, but you have to sigh, when care is pressing you down a bit- rest if you must, but don't you quit. Life is strange with its twists and turns, as every one of us sometimes learns, and many a person turns about when they might have won had they stuck it out, don't give up though the pace seems slow- you may succeed with another blow. Often the one struggling has given up when he might have captured the victor's cup: and he learned too late when the night came down, how close he was to the golden crown. Success is failure turned inside out- so stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,- it's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero Officer Cook. We all know you were brave, devout, and courageous and would not go down easily. Watch and continue to patrol God's Heavenly beat above. I will forever miss you.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 10, 2012

Bite off more than you can chew: Then chew it. Plan more work than you can do: Then do it. Hitch your wagon to a star: Keep your seat. And there you are. Dream, plan, work and have faith in God. Officer Cook , my neighbor, friend and hero you accomplished this and so much more in your life. You were not afraid to take risks, and I understand you wanted to become a police officer when you were young. I just wish we had the chance to meet, but we know you are patrolling the streets of Heaven with your comrades who were not afraid to risk and dream to make this world a safer place for us all. This should be our gratitude to all of the fine men and women in law enforcement.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 7, 2012

There is a destiny that makes us brothers, No one goes his way alone: All that we send into the lives of others,Comes back into our own. I care not what his temples or the creeds, One thing holds firm and fast- That into his fateful heap of days and deeds, The soul of man is cast. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero Officer Cook, you were placed in this world to do good deeds and you surpassed all good people. God bless your soul, I'll never forget your sacrifice for us all.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 5, 2012

We must teach. We must learn. We must follow.The world we live in today Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero needs light if it is to survive and that light can come from each of us. The light and its beauty that was spread by you during your life will never be extinguished. I have said it many times and it bears repeating, I will never forget your gallantry, bravery and courage. Rest in peace Officer Cook. It is vital that we get along with one another.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 29, 2012

Today, I visited your grave Officer Cook. I started to cry, but I know that your soul is resting in peace, my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 22, 2012