Police Officer Scott Richard Rakow Miami Beach Police Department Florida Thursday, June 30, 1988  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

Officer Rakow,
I want to share this moment with you and your family as I know you would do the same for me. I am a 20 year veteran assigned as a detective to the robbery unit with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. This past Fl/Ga weekend, I was working security for a restaurant at The Landing and was approached by a young college student. She wanted to take the time to thank me for what I did. At first I thought it was just a kid just being nice to the uniform. I told her thank you, but she said again, "No, I really do appreciate what you do." My instinct kicked in and I knew there was more to this. The young lady proceeded to tell me that her daddy was a policeman who was killed chasing a suspect during a reverse sting when she was only 6 months old. Needless to say, my heart stopped. I also have a daughter in college and the rolls could have easily been reversed. Scott, as you probably know, your daughter grew up to be a beautiful young woman, well-mannered, respectful, intelligent, and everything you would have wanted in a daughter. You should be nothing but proud of her. Your sacrifice made is the reason I still continue to do what I do. To use the words of your daughter, Thank you for what you did and I do appreciate the sacrifice you and your family made.

Anonymous

2009-11-02

Uncle Scotty,

I miss you so much and I know that you are giving me the strength I need to pursue my dreams. I'm starting law school in about a month and am looking forward to following in your footsteps. Although, I didn't get accepted to UF Law I know that I will follow your path of service and make a difference in the lives of others as an attorney. I love you very much!

Love always,
Pamela

Pamela Rakow
niece
2009-06-29

My Dear Scotty:

Not a day goes by that I don't think about you and how much I love you and always will. I wear the Superman charm that you gave me everyday so that when people comment about it I can tell them about you. You were always there for me. You did a great job helping me raise my son and you would be so proud of the man he has become. He has so many of your wonderful qualities and mannerisms. He will be getting married to a wonderful girl that I know you would have loved and approved of. Take care of Daddy, Grandma Lee, Grandpa Mike, Grandma Rose and Great Grandma Sophie. I love you my baby brother today, tommorrow and always. I can't believe it has been 20 years.

Anonymous

2008-07-13

We take the blame for things we cannot control. We apologize for someone else's wrong doing. We dwell on the past and forget the existence of the present. We feel pain. Pain that is essential in our lives to remind us that we are alive. Pain that forces emotions to pour out of our soul in the form of tears. We contemplate, why it is so hard to move forward and why are we continuously looking back to feel sorrow. How do we let go of something we have already lost? Perhaps we can’t let go and never have to. Our memories will always live on.



I was very young when you passed but I still remember how wonderful you were. I'm so envious of the many people who had more memories with you whose lives you've touched. I hope to follow in your footsteps and make you very proud of me! I miss and love you very much!

Pamela Rakow
niece
2008-07-07

Uncle Scotty:

Twenty years have now passed since you are gone. Hard to believe since I was only nine years old at the time. I still miss you and you are in my thoughts every day. I will be getting married next year and as I move on in life I will never forget you.

Your nephew,

Eric Kane, Esq.
Nephew
2008-07-03

Scotty not a day goes by that I do not think of you and miss you all the time. Your love and memory will always live on, for you have touched so many many lives, both young and old. I cannot believe it will soon be 20 years that your gone. We all love you and will never ever forget you.

Your older brother Joey

Cpl./ Dr. Joseph Mark Rakow
Collier County Sheriff/ Brother
2008-06-10

The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
2007-10-03

I was on Motors for FHP on that date. Brother, it seems like yesterday and yet 19 years have past.

ASCENSION

And if I go,
while you're still here
Know that I live on,
vibrating to a different measure
-behind a thin veil you cannot
see through,
You will not see me,
so you must have faith,
I wait for the time when we can
soar together again,
-both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to its
fullest.
And when you need me,
Just whisper my name in your heart,
---I will be there.


Rest in Peace, Brother…

Corporal Gregory A. Cohn
Florida Highway Patrol - St. Augustine
2007-06-01

Having spent a gread deal of time in Flamingo Park while growing up in South Florida, I was lucky to have known Scott and always looked up to him for his leadership with kids and his great sense of humor.

Last time I saw Scott was at the dry-cleaners next to 7-Eleven on Alton Road and 15 Street. I was picking up some clothes for my Mom and would you know it....as I walked out of the place holding a dress in hand, Scott looked at me and said, "Nice dress Jose" with a funny smirk on his face.

Soon after, we were all devastated by the news of his passing. I feel fortunate to have known him...to have shared a laugh the last time we saw eachother...and to see what a huge impact he made and continues to make in people's lives.

Jose Schmidt
Friend
2007-05-09

ITS BEEN A LONG TIME I WAS A POLICE EXPLORER WITH MIAMI BEACH AND NOW A POLICE OFFICER WITH THE CITY HOMESTEAD. IVE HEARD LOTS OF STORIES ABOUT YOU AND HOW MUCH OF A HERO YOU WERE AND LET ME TELL YOU THERE IS NO ONE THAT I TALKED TO THAT CAN SAY ANY THING OTHER THAN THE GREAT PERSON YOU WERE I LOOK UP TO OFFICERS LIKE YOU. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

OFFICER VILLARREAL
HOMESTEAD
2006-12-03

Dear Scott,
Not a day goes by that I don't think of you and honor your memory. There are no words to describe what your friendship meant to me. Your memories will remain in my heart forever.

As the manager of a facility named in your honor, I have the pleasure of making sure people always remember who you were and the sacrafices you made.

Until I see you again...
Kisses and hugs,
Ellen Vargas

Ellen Vargas
Friend
2006-10-11

Scott,
Your always in my heart and my thoughts. Erica is beautiful and you would be very proud of her. I will always miss you and be there for her.

Mark

Officer Mark Hallman
Miami Beach Police / Childhood friend
2006-10-08

July 28,2006

Dear Scott:

Tomorrow would have been your birthday and you would have been 47 years old! You were the Best of the Best and will be in my heart and thoughts forever! I miss you and love you!
Love always and forever
Sherry

Sherry Superfine
Sister
2006-07-28

Thank you for your service. You are in our hearts and prayers.

2006-06-30

Thank you for your service Officer Rakow

2006-01-27

Dear Scott,
May you rest in Peace. You are always in our prays.
We will never forget you.

Your Dispatchers in CDC

Amy Rosen / Dispatcher
Miami Beach Police Department
2003-09-14

Rest in peace.

Inv. Michael Walker
Tallahassee Police Department

Scott,
We all miss you very much, and you will never be gone in our lodge or life's here at the Miami Beach Police Department.

President Robert Jenkins
Miami Beach Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #8

Rest in Peace my dear friend. I know you are doing Gods work in Heaven. You are now safe in Gods arms. Rest well till we all meet again.

Joseph Caragiulo
Miami Police (retired)