Police Officer William Coleman Cook
Metro-Dade Police Department
Florida
End of Watch: Wednesday, May 16, 1979

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: 6 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Wednesday, May 16, 1979
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and killed

Officer Cook was shot and killed after he and other officers responded a shots fired call at 1411 hours, just four minutes before he was to return to the station to end his shift. Officer Cook and other members of his squad were only one block away and responded to the scene, although they were not dispatched. When they arrived at the scene one of the officers jumped into the suspect's car and attempted to disarm him but was shot in the head. The officer fell out of the car as Officer Cook returned fire, striking the suspect.

Thinking the suspect was dead, the other officers immediately went to the aid of the wounded officer. The suspect suddenly rose and opened fire, striking Officer Cook in the side, in-between the panels of his vest, and the third officer in the chest. As the suspect exited his vehicle a detective arrived on the scene and immediately exchanges shots with him, fatally wounding the suspect.

Officer Cook had been with the agency for six years.