Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Cook's story was read in Richton Park Police Department's roll call on 3-29-17 to remember and honor him. I personally went on a call at our Metra a few months prior to this incident. I remember how professional and nice he was.

Sgt. James Galvan
RPPD (IL)

March 29, 2017

I didn't forget about you Christmas! Christmas Eve I lite the candle that burns for everyone I've lost and I poured a shot of whiskey and left it on the fireplace mantel where it will stay until New Years Day. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I miss you Tommy and I love you....

Marcia
Sister

December 28, 2016

In reading these reflections, I realized that this Good Man influenced many during his brief life. Your friends and relatives bear witness to your character. Thank you, Sir, for your service, and for your standing strong in the Thin Blue Line.

Stan Jefferson
citizen

September 27, 2016

Ten years ago tonight you were taken from your wife, children, family and friends. I still don't understand why, and I'm sure I never will. I miss you every day but on September 27 of every year its the worst. Everything comes rushing back and I relive every moment of those days. You were a good honest man, a wonderful husband, father, son and the best brother ever. I love you Tommy. Rest in Peace....

Marcia
Sister

September 27, 2016

Thinking about you today. Thank you for your service in our country's military and police force. My prayers be with your family and rest in peace.

John Haseltine - Civilian

September 27, 2016

Missing you so much today......

Marcia
sister

July 14, 2016

Tommy
After almost 10 years its finally over. The monster that took you from us will rot in jail until he dies. Your wife and children have been so strong and they did an outstanding job reading their statements in court yesterday. Be proud of them. Pam has raised them well. I miss you so much Tommy. I love you with all my heart. You can finally Rest in Peace little brother

Marcia
sister

April 1, 2016

Thinking of you Tommy and the younger days when life was so much better and the good times we had!

Lieutenant Dan DEMPSEY
Riverdale, Illinois

March 1, 2016

Happy Birthday Tommy

Frank

January 20, 2016

Happy Birthday Tommy! There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss you. After 10 long years we finally have justice and you can now rest in peace.... I love you little brother
Forever in my heart

Marcia
Sister

January 20, 2016

On Thursday January 14th, 2016 in room 108 at the Markham Court House, the jury returned a verdict of "GUILTY", in the second murder trial for Jemetric Nicholson. He will be sentenced on February 26th, 2016.
Nothing can ever bring Tom back, but his family, friends, and coworkers can find some relief in the fact that justice was served. "Meechie" will spend the rest of his natural life in prison.
Rest in peace Officer Thomas Alan Cook # 976, your watch has been over for almost 10 years, your old partners have had it covered for you, and the new guys will continue to cover it for you. Your name will forever be on the building dedicated to your memory, you will never be forgotten. Rest in peace Tommy, you are our hero!

Commander H. Ross Fuller
Metra Police Department

January 17, 2016

Guilty, justice is served!

George Murphy, Patrol Officer
Metra Police Dept.

January 14, 2016

Merry Christmas little brother. I miss you so much

Marcia
Sister

December 24, 2015

On Monday, October 5th, 2015 a jury trial was held in Room 108 of the Cook County Courthouse, in Markham, Illinois. After closing arguments, the jury retired to deliberate. On Friday, October 16th, after numerous attempts to come to a unanimous verdict, The judge declared a mistrial. Several news sources reported that 2 jurors held out, and refused to return a guilty verdict.The case was continued until January 6th, 2016 to begin selecting a jury for a new trial.
Hopefully, this time, the jury will make the proper unanimous decision. Tom Cook's family, friends, and co-workers impatiently seek righteous justice. Tom Cook's senseless murder is as fresh in the minds of these people, as it was more than 9 years ago. They need closure.

Commander H. Ross Fuller
Metra Police Department

October 28, 2015

Dear Pam, Jessica and Jimmy,
You guys probably dont remember me, but i lived across the street from you in Riverdale. I used to clean Elaine's house and play with the kids when they were small. I remember when you guys had the baby, and when Tom left RPD. I remember the funeral and thinking how amazing it was that so many people had gathered in one place for him...it showed how great his impact and his heart was.
I wanted you guys to know theres not a day i don't look at your old house and say a prayer for you all. We think of you regularly and hope you are all doing well.

Roxana M

October 9, 2015

Peace to you and your loved ones, sir

Jennifer Phillips
widow of Sgt Ron Phillips

September 28, 2015

Approximately 70 people attended the dedication ceremony on September 27, 2015. The newly remodeled, over 100 year old building, was formally dedicated as the "Thomas A. Cook Metra Police Building". It will be the headquarters of Metra Police Area 2 Operations, Special Operations, and K-9 Teams.

Naming the building after Officer Tom Cook means that his memory will never fade, and he will be remembered forever. Every Metra Police Officer that starts and stops their work day will pass Tom's name on the walls. Each police officer will never forget that life is fragile, there are no guarantees of safety. The hope is, that being reminded of the tragic loss on a daily basis will remind officers to be safer as they perform their duties.

Every time I see Tom's name on the wall, I will remember that horrible night nine years ago. And what a devastating effect it had on Tom's family, friends, and co-workers. I will never forget that night, as long as I live. Rest in peace Tom, your shift is over now, your brothers in blue got it covered for you, and will continue to do so, forever.

Commander H. Ross Fuller
Metra Police Department

September 28, 2015

It's been 9 years. I miss you everyday. Rest in peace my little brother. Forever in my heart.....

Marcia
Sister

September 27, 2015

On September 27th, 2006, sometime in the evening hours, Officer Thomas A. Cook #976 was brutally murdered by a 2 man team of offenders near the Sibley Boulevard-147th Street Station, in Harvey, Illinois. The offenders were arrested by the monumental effort of the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force. The Riverdale Police Department provided extremely valuable support to this effort. The primary offender has been in custody for nine years, awaiting trial. The secondary offender has already plead guilty to helping in the killing. The primary offender has already been sentenced to a total of 125 years on unrelated matters.

On Sunday, September 27th, 2015 at 1:00 pm, the ninth anniversary of his death, the newly remodeled building in the Blue Island Coach Yard will be dedicated as The “Tom Cook” Metra Police Building. Bag Pipers and a CPD helicopter fly over have been requested for the event.

The New Tom Cook Police Building is located at 2100 West Prairie, Blue Island, Illinois 60406

Anyone is welcome to attend this event.

Commander H. Ross Fuller
Metra Police Department

September 21, 2015

I found this site recently and wanted to share a memory with Tom Cooks's family. I think it was around the year 2000, when I was part of a debriefing team that went to the Riverdale PD to debrief your Tom and other officers involved in an incident, (no one was hurt) but it was close enough. Several officers were part of the debriefing to support Tommy. I remember him so well for many reasons, one was his extraordinary passion about his work, about right from wrong, about bringing peace into chaos. Tommy was honest and open and what a gift I thought to everyone there. But his family should know he also expressed passion for his family, keeping them safe (you had a new baby at the time) and he knew what was important in his life, his wife and family. I was touched by his depth, coming also from a police and fire service family. I have been an ER chaplain many years now and seen everything, but I look for how we allow events or tragedies to shape us or define our priorities. Tommy stands out as one who did that uniquely and I could tell inspired his fellow officers in our group. The love and respect was so obvious and still touches me to this day. I remember recognizing him in the news at the time of his death, devastating loss of a passionate soul and remembering that long afternoon with him. I did not know about this site until recently. More than anything he wanted to protect and keep his wife and family safe from the very harm that he suffered. May we always know that evil, suffering and death will never have the last word, God will and His word is justice, peace and eternal life. Bless, bless and bless you again.

Trish Foley, Chaplain

May 11, 2015

On March 6, 2015 Cook County Circuit Court Judge Zelezinski sentenced Jemetric "Meechie" Nicholson to 110 years, on the Harvey Officer case. Meechie was already sentenced to 50 years on the Calumet City case. This means that Meechie's projected release date is now 2165. The next step is the Tom Cook Murder trial, to be held soon.

To all of Tommy's Family and Friends: Hang in there, justice is sometimes extremely slow, but Tom and his memory will get justice. Nothing can bring Tom back, but his family and friends deserve justice, and peace.

Rest in Peace Tommy, your tour of duty is over, your former partners from both departments got it from here on. Your memory lives on...

Commander H. Ross Fuller
Metra Police Department

March 7, 2015

you surprised me in a dream last night. Dream felt so real. Thinking of you always. Love you tom.

Tina
cousin in AZ.

February 17, 2015

Thinking of you today as always. Happy Birthday Tommy. I love you

Marcia
Sister

January 20, 2015

Hi Tommy-I was going through Facebook and came upon your solemn tribute. I am sorry for the horror you went through. I remember you as an eleven year old, happy kid, with a passionately protective sister. I enjoyed the times we talked and appreciated life through your innocent eyes then. Many years have gone by since your passing. I can’t imagine how hard it must still be for your wife and children and brother and sister. I’m sure there is a void in their hearts which no one else can fill. I will be reflecting on your memory, tomorrow, on the anniversary of your birth. May God Bless your Soul.

Bert
Friend

January 19, 2015

Yesterday, Saturday September 27, 2014, we gathered to remember Officer Thomas A. Cook #976. It was the 8th year marking of that terrible night that Tom was killed. The Piper played Amazing Grace, The Helicopter did a fly by. Almost 50 people attended. A vintage 1967 CPD squad car assisted with the ceremony. Most of Tommy's family and friends were there. It was a very nice way to remember our fallen officer. Rest in peace Officer Tom Cook, you will always be remembered. (Thank you for the advise given to me from a fellow police officer I respect.)

Acting Commander
Metra Police Department

September 28, 2014