Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The enduring value of religion is in its challenge to aspiration and hope in the mind of man. Thank God, Officer Cook, for you being the man who was raised with tremendously outstanding values and character of which was stellar indeed as were your actions on May 16, 1979. Your legacy is enduring and serves not only as our inspirational lesson for all mankind, but as our personal aspiration of how good men and women should serve their communities: with honor and integrity. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Some of us maybe more challenged by your absence, but it is this absence which make the heart grow fonder.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 7, 2014

That religion, or the duty which we owe to Our Creator and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice religious forbearance, love and charity towards each other. You discharged your duties faithfully, Officer Cook, without fear and only with proper motivation in seeing peace and unity become a significant reality to all citizens in Dade County. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 6, 2014

Even though sadly we never had the chance to meet each other, Officer Cook, you never put yourself above Our Creator and I think I can declare this with a certain sense of clarity. People do themselves wrong and too meanly estimate the Holiness above us, when we deem that any act or enjoyment good in itself, is not good to do religiously. I guess as I've reflected before, we cannot get into the minds of the bad people who destroy the loved ones of the brave men and women who lives they take in the line of duty, shattering their own hopes, dreams and aspirations they too have in living life to its fullest. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 6, 2014

A competent religious guide must be clear and intelligible to all, so that everyone may fully understand the true meaning of the instructions it contains. Is the Bible a book intelligible to all? Far from it; it is full of obscurities and difficulties not only for the illiterate, but even for the learned. A seasoned and intelligent police officer, Officer Cook, you taught your congregants the Bible and were one of their many fountains of genuine information beside the Pastor of your church. Your humility and grace still makes us think and to ponder the reasons why God took you at such a young age? Undaunted by fear, but loaded with desire and passion, you properly and promptly delivered excellent results each day of your watch. Now God has handed you a daunting eternal challenge: watch over all officers who display the quality traits you personally employed during your Metro-Dade career. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 6, 2014

It is the fool who says in his heart there is no God. But what shall we call the man who tells us that with this sort of a world God bids us to be content? But you were known as a very mature officer beyond your years, Officer Cook, so devout, so faithful and unassuming who always put the good of Dade County residents ahead of your agenda. the wisdom you garnered and passed on to your colleagues has been as decisive as your actions on May 16, 1979 to save those seven people who lives may have been lost if not for your swiftness in reacting. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 6, 2014

The religion which allies itself with injustice to preach down the natural aspirations of the masses is worse than atheism. And people who do a job in which honor and dignity is vital to the success of their mission rely on their co-workers to do the same. There is no room for dishonor and wayward police officers who tarnish their badges and places their comrades in extreme danger as well as the citizens they serve and protect. Being raised in a humble environment, Officer Cook, where love and values assisted you throughout your life and career, it is no wonder you turned out to be a very loyal and dependable comrade who could be relied upon to come to the aid of others. You were that shining apple in your parents eyes and your spirit is comparable to a freshly polished diamond. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 6, 2014

I believe in one God, creator of the universe. That He governs it by His providence. That He ought to be worshiped. That the most acceptable service we render to Him is doing good to His other children. That the soul of man is immortal and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this. These I take to be fundamental principles of all sound religion. A truly humble and revered gentleman, Officer Cook, you will be forever remembered for enduring and assisting in changing the landscape of Dade County streets forever. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 5, 2014

Religious faith is not a storm cellar to which men and women can flee for refuge from the storms of life. It is, instead, an inner spiritual strength which enables them to face those storms with hope and serenity. Religious faith has the miraculous power to lift ordinary human beings to greatness in seasons of stress. Your spirituality, Officer Cook, helped catapult you to sheer greatness through your mature humbleness. I cannot say for sure of course, but I can suspect if most people had some semblance of faith in their lives, than no telling how far the can travel to excellence. As you were taught my neighbor, friend and hero, you were instructed and believed in one God, who is infinite in His knowledge, in power he maintains over the universe, in goodness and in every other perfection; who created all things by His omnipotence and governs them by His Providence. We believe, as does your loving family and friends that as you rest in peace your beautiful soul has ascended to heaven where it it now free to roam and to look over those loved ones and your colleagues who patrol the same streets of which you solemnly watched over for six dedicated and loyal years of service.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 5, 2014

The religions we call false were once true.They were affirmations of the conscience correcting the evil customs of their times. If one's spirituality could alone prevent mayhem and loss of life of police officers, they might be able to probably rely more often on this theory of this statement. The fact still and will always remain that you were very devout, Officer Cook, in your faith. Your service to mankind was based not only on your catholic upbringing, but more importantly on honesty and integrity. Grace and valor helped steer your adventures and ventures in your service to Dade County citizens. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 5, 2014

There is only one success, to be able to spend life your own way. You spent your entire life, Officer cook, performing good deeds and on the last day of your sacred and cherished existence, you saved seven people from possible death, putting your being in harm's way of an incident where you were not dispatched. Pretty heroic. Very humble and with a character filled with only humility. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 4, 2014

Each day and the living of it, has to be a conscious creation in which discipline and order are relieved with some play and some pure foolishness. A way you rejuvenated yourself, Officer Cook, was to make others laugh or smile. You can display a wicked sense of humor, but when the time calls for you to be solemn and serious, you could take control of a situation and use you God given abilities to level calm and peace within the community. Your bright smile and laughter are surely missed, but we know that is exactly what you are doing up in heaven now. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 2, 2014

The real problem of your leisure is how to keep other people from using it. I do believe rest and relaxation is good for all police officers, in that it lets them clear their minds and get away for a little bit from the rigors of their positions. I know, Officer Cook, you utilized your down time to be with Karen and your friends. An article was recently in either the Sun-Sentinel or the Miami Herald and mentioned your father-in-law, Mr. Kenneth Toussel. I believed you enjoyed taking hunting trips with him. You took your profession quite seriously and the results showed themselves to be outstanding. Desire and dedication went down your path with integrity and dignity, how fitting a collision, for the sake of heaven and the honor you brought to your family, colleagues and all persons who came to know and respect you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 2, 2014

A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to leave alone. Simplify, simplify, simplify. I think knowing your family and speaking with them a little bit that you always always gave you entire being and effort behind any project that you started. You deserved to view many of these balls dropping from Times Square. This century and the previous decades have been devoid of one superbly stellar human being. Your absence has only made our hearts grow fonder of your humbly heroic mannerisms while on duty. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You were rich along with Karen in two and many more important areas: Honesty and humility.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 2, 2014

The day is of infinite length for one who knows how to appreciate and use it. How many times has a person said, if only I had another three or four hours to get my work done. Police work is much different in that if it takes a twelve hour shift to get the optimum completed from all of the tasks that one began, then that is the way you have to operate. Nothing is assumed. Whatever assignments you were given, Officer Cook, you completed with the utmost excellence and satisfaction. Do I want to be rich and pass away young, or have somewhat less, materially and be around long enough to appreciate my old age? I know, your family, comrades and friends all wanted you here to reach a ripe old age. Hopefully, your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, is well at age ninety-eight living out in San Diego, California. I send my regards Mrs. Cook. God bless you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You were and are a truly inspirational figure in the Metro-Dade Police Department ranks.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 2, 2014

To be idle requires a strong sense of personal identity. you were known as a mover and shaker, Officer Cook. The proof is in the pudding so to speak when you answer calls that you did not have to respond to and endeavor to quiet a situation that could have serious after effects. May 16, 1979 bears this out in that you risked your life to save seven other people, four of whom were your comrades. You are one of forty-two Metro-Dade Police officers who have been singled out for their heroic actions. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, idleness has no place in society, only action, getting up and moving to attempt to change the world in some way, shape or form.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 2, 2014

The passion for order can poison the soul. You were able to categorize, organize and define your role as a police officer, Officer Cook. Nothing poisonous about a person wanting to contribute more to society than others. A very helpful officer, Officer Cook, you gave your all to help effectively change the meaning of those future residents who now can be excited about how they can choose to lead their lives. Your sacrifice, your superb character to act quickly and decisively to restore the law and order people come to expect will resonate for generations to come. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 2, 2014

It is an old ironic habit of human beings to run faster when we have lost our way. Perhaps that young man who took your life, Officer cook, should have run the other way without harming a soul. He was living at home with three generations of his relatives. Maybe they could have given him some sound advice before he went on his rampage. We'll never understand what made him snap. Depression, desertion from the army, I guess can make people behave differently. You did your part, Officer Cook, trying to restore peace and calmness in the community and for that important role, all of Dade's citizens are eternally grateful. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You performed over and beyond the scope of your profession and how can we be forever thankful?

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 2, 2014

Our dignity is not in what we do, but what we understand. Producing an effort daily is commendable, but it's channeling this energy into comprehension. Why am I undertaking these tasks? But you never looked for any rewards, Officer Cook. Your police work and your excellent ethics reflected your best efforts and became your reward when you and your partners were honored for excellence. When you perform a job properly and do it well beyond what is expected of you, awards and commendations generally come a person's way. No one achieves without putting forth the effort. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 1, 2014

The secret of success is consistency of purpose. Losing track of reason, being blinded by our lack of focus can most assuredly cause one to get off the proper track. Our trains of thought become temporarily derailed and need up righting immediately. Your vision, Officer Cook, never faltered, never wavered, you made solid and lucid decisions that would only help your career and all that you achieved during your brief, but highly successful six years with the Metro-Dade Police Department. You would not ever be mired in abyss, only in doing what needed to be done at the moment to enhance the integrity and honor of your division. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 1, 2014

Loafing needs no explanation and is its own excuse. This habit has no business being in the police station unless you are off duty or at home fooling around with yard work or other chores around the house. Your off days, down time, Officer Cook, was very special for you and when Karen's schedule as a registered nurse allowed you both to spend quiet times together. We have to cherish our time here as we never know when the good Lord comes calling. You were treasured and most beloved by all. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 1, 2014

Every man is entitled to be valued by his best moments. Too often we reflect on those times that we didn't perform, we did not quite live up to expectation. You have been, Officer Cook, viewed and held in high regard by all your peers and colleagues in the law enforcement community. Your family members carry on your legacy with the grace and dignity with which you solidly maintained during your twenty-five tears here in the Dade County community of which you were a loyal public servant and cherished resident who gave back more than we could ever imagine. As nearly thirty-five years since your untimely passing arrives, let us now be resolved to accomplish something each and everyday and dedicate it to your memory as you observe from above how we can better deal with whatever comes our way. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You handled most problems with a calming and soothing voice, maybe we should endeavor to do the same.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 1, 2014

Never confuse motion with action. Correct and do not ever confuse integrity and dignity as they both belong locked into the jargon of all police officers. This was part of your daily diet, Officer Cook, in that this enabled you to focus on preparation and planing for how you would handle each assignment that would come your way that you were dispatched to. I wonder how often you partnered with Reserve Officer Scott Lincoln? Motion is honorable even if it is primarily camouflage. Action implies decision-making, accomplishment, commitment. Sometimes these concepts get confused. Something not be be confused or lost in translation is your bravery and courage for serving Dade County residents with the honor that you position demands. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 1, 2014

Personal relations are the important things for ever and ever and not the outer life of telegrams and anger. Friendships take time to cultivate, but once they blossom sure can last forever. These relationships that you made, Officer Cook, with your friends in and out of the department have lasted even though you are not with us physically. Your loving spirit looks down from the heavens above and keeps tabs on all of your loved ones and their friends protecting them from harm and enabling them to go out and fulfill whatever their hearts desire. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 1, 2014

A salesman is got to dream, boy, it goes with the territory. Police officers, men and women who dream of becoming law enforcement officials can have this preoccupation, it just cannot be while on duty. Dreaming is important, so life affirming, so self-nurturing. If we deny ourselves the right to dream, we lose all hope and then the light goes out. We must allow ourselves the reality, the opportunity to dream, to aspire, to climb higher on each rung of that proverbial ladder. They do not come easy, the dreams. But, it's these dreams that keep us going, keep us sane, keep us alive. We look up during the day and at night, Officer Cook and we dream that we can see your soul, this is perfectly normal, as the light from it definitely shines down here in this world for us to be inspired and motivated to do what we feel is normal and just. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Police officers are like sales reps in that the product they sell has got to be perfect in the sense that what they represent to the citizens is clearly honest and strictly on the up and up. Nothing less can and will be tolerated.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 31, 2013

The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money. Ideas, thoughts, inventions, introspection, memories of joyful days and nights. These are things for which most of us never pause to make time for. The idea of working and giving an honest day's effort for a day's pay seems foreign to some, but to inspiring heroes and heroines of Dade County as you were, Officer Cook, you always gave a supreme effort and your sacrifice has had an ever greater affect on all because of the bravery and fortitude you showed in enhancing those cherished lives of the citizens who have been given a new lease on how they lead their lives today. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The glow of your beautiful soul glows even brighter today and one day, those you knew and loved will be even more comforted when they snuggle up to it for eternal warmth and safekeeping.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 31, 2013