Metro-Dade Police Department, Florida
End of Watch Wednesday, May 16, 1979
Reflections for Police Officer William Coleman Cook
In a previous reflection, I meant to say, Officer Cook, that your great-nieces and your great-nephew and their parents do miss you very much. Articulate words are a harsh clamor and dissonance. When man arrives at his highest perfection, he will again be dumb. For I suppose he was dumb at the Creation and must go around an entire circle in order to return to that blessed state. As a dedicated and thoughtful police officer, Officer Cook, you knew how to address people in certain situations and be able to resolve a seemingly difficult problem. Your calmness of your voice and confidant manner went hand in hand during your distinguished career. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. God's voice that soothes your resting soul and that of your other comrades who have joined you on the "Avenue of the fallen," is the only passionate voice of reason that resounds in us for always. It's kind of like listening to the sound inside a seashell when you can hear the waves crashing off each other.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 21, 2013
To commit an indiscretion without temptation, from an impulse without purpose, this is one definition of talking. How you calmly and rationally spoke to people, Officer Cook, is one of the many ways by which you'll be highly thought of. Your legacy encompasses many trains of thought and it is this thinking, this thought provoking process that will last for ages among the members of your department whenever they are asked to remember the qualities which made Officer William C. Cook, Badge#1664, stand out in front of his comrades. You were truly a pleasurable person, a sound and progressive thinking officer to be around and to patrol the streets of Dade County with. The friendships you made and kept are probably and humbly too many to number. All in all friendship in any line of work is important and its being able to maintain these relationships through the years that is most significant. rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. There is a saying which you may have remembered, Officer Cook ,"Loose lips sink ships." A police officer's life, not to mention their careers can be determined by how they utilize their lips that God gave to us.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 20, 2013
Because of what you have done the heavens have become a part of man's world and as you talk to us from the Sea of Tranquility, it inspires us to redouble our efforts to bring peace and tranquility to earth. For what you meant to society, your family and comrades, Officer Cook, we could not ask for anything else except for your presence to still be with us. Your soul has and always will be a vital part of those persons you loved, cared for and who gave back the same kindnesses to you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 20, 2013
A police officer's mind, heart, hands, lips and feet are the necessary parts that need to be functioning if they are going to have accomplished their tasks. 1. Heart- Humor, engage, articulate, resourceful and terrific. 2. Hands- Honorable, astute, nuances, normalcy, decisive and sacrifice. 3. Lips- Likable, intelligent, professional, serious. 4. Feet- Foundation, energy, effort, transmission. All of these necessities, Officer Cook, were a part of your personal as well as your professional life. You never left your home without them. This is what carried your storied life and career and made you surely confident in your capabilities to maintain the law and order. You vim, vigor and vitality is sorely missed and would be most appreciated within the ranks of your department today. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 20, 2013
Hard work is a legacy of the generations who settled the prairie, broke the soil, built the sod houses, fought the droughts and grasshoppers and penny-a-pound prices for their products. It is a legacy that even those of us who carry with us. All of this work has produced what may be the single largest collection of powerful hands in the world. And all of your difficult work authored by your powerful human nature and maturity beyond the average person, Officer Cook, was so vital in bringing us to the realization that there were officers back during your time that actually cared enough about the citizens they served within the community. You took the time and you made a distinct difference in how real police work was and is supposed to be carried out. Under God the people rule with the greatest assistance coming from the many dedicated men and women from the Metro-Dade Police department. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 20, 2013
A feeling of sadness comes over me that my soul cannot resist: A feeling of sadness and longing, that is not akin to pain and resembles sorrow only as the mist resembles the rain. Not indolence, nor pleasure, nor the fret of restless passions that could not be stilled, but sorrow and a care that almost killed, kept me from what I may accomplish yet. A senseless act of violence perpetrated against you, Officer Cook, has kept you from growing older, loving your family members, meeting with retired colleagues for meals at their homes or your home with Karen and so much more that you could have offered this world. These reflections cannot bring you or the other twenty-thousand officers back among us and to your devoted families, only God has you wrapped in His golden arms where you help Him now patrol His golden streets where you walk a heavenly beat after all of you made the solemn sacrifice on our behalf to make the world a safer and more promising venue to achieve whatever we endeavor to be. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. These words are meant as a source of comfort in consoling these wonderfully giving families who gave their loved to their communities to serve and protect our rights and freedoms. In a world based in large part to sharing, this part of giving is not only what will be remembered for, it's how your loved ones comported themselves while they lived their masterful existences. I hope you are taking some wonderful snapshots from God's highest heights.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 20, 2013
Oh, fear not in a world like this and thou shalt know erelong, know how sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong. You have a very loving family, Officer Cook, a strong willed group of individuals who have endured the pain of your loss and yet endeavor to carry on with the examples you set as a young man. Take the example of your nephew, Justin, who was paralyzed in a car accident. He has not let his disability conquer him or to derail his dreams and aspirations. I believe he has earned his Masters degree in International Relations. A fine young man like his brother, Joshua, who acts and does other work. Their sister Gina, is a fine young woman, who together with her husband, Trevor is raising a terrific family with their three children. I believe she told me she is a secretary. Alexis, your great-niece is going to be a senior in high school and I'm sure will make a success of herself in the future, along with Skyler and your young great-nephew, Legend. As your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, eluded in her letter to me nearly three years ago, they are all very fine people, who you would be most proud and they are miss you so dearly. I'm humbled to consider the Cook and Wilkerson families as my very special friends. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. your mother will forever hold a special place in my heart and hopefully if she is alright, I still would cherish the opportunity to meet her. God bless you Mrs. Cook.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 20, 2013
Parting is all we know of heaven and all we need of torment. The sorrow for the dead is the only sorrow from which we refuse to be divorced. Every other wound we seek to heal, every other affliction to forget; but this wound we consider it a duty to keep open, this affliction we cherish and brood over in solitude. No one ever wants to part with a loved one, or from a loving member of their family. Not being able to say a final goodbye, although, you were able to I'm sure, Officer Cook say goodbye and embeace your beloved wife, Karen, when you left for work on that early morning of May 16, 1979. Your tragedy still leaves those who knew and loved you with a gaping hole in their hearts. I'm just a civilian, an average law abiding citizen and look how I feel broken up about your loss. I conduct funerals for people in which I try to maintain a stoic demeanor and at times it can be really difficult. I do think about my loving parents and the wonderful memories I had of them and all those relatives I had who passed through the years. I led my own mother's service and of course, it was very emotional and I conducted my uncle's service and believe it or not I was very emotional. I had known my uncle for almost fifty years. You could only imagine that day when I went into your parents home, where I met your niece, Gina and her husband, Trevor and their children. Sure I broke down and sobbed like a baby, she comforted me and took me into your bedroom where you grew up. A lady named Amy and her dog were going to rent the house, I guess after reading about your life and career in the book, "Forgotten Heroes," I gained a deep sense of appreciation for you and your career, the cherished and giving life you so exemplified in manner and in performing good deeds. Being an excellently talented police officer who was bold and brave in your loyal service to the citizens of Dade County will always be your legacy and how you will forever be remembered. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Of course, for sentimental reasons, my family and I would have wanted to live in your parents home.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 20, 2013
If all words of tongue and pen, the saddest are, "It might have been," more sad are these we daily see, it is, but it hadn't ought to be. You wrote citations to citizens for violations, Officer Cook and you spoke very respectfully to the same citizens you served and protected. It should not have resulted in your untimely death, but the ultimate sacrifice you made on our behalf, reinforces the fact that officers even as highly trained as they are, still need to use caution and realize their surroundings at all times. We can use the words in the dictionary, could, should or would hoping you were here with us today. But, you still very much missed, loved and adored by all those so very close to you, my neighbor, friend and hero. Rest in peace.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 19, 2013
Tragedy is in the eye of the observer and not in the heart of the sufferer. The young man who took your young life, Officer Cook, if he would have realized his actions and the ramifications, would possibly have thought twice before using his weapon. your contributions to this society will never go undone, nor will you be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 19, 2013
I shot an arrow into the air, it fell to earth, I knew not where; for, so swiftly it flew, the sight could not follow it in its flight. I breathed a song into the air, it fell to earth, I know not where; for who has sight so keen and strong, that it can follow the flight of song? It sounds like a great melody, but each day you went on patrol, Officer Cook, you dared to explore what continues to occur in those streets of Dade County where one is exposed to the harshest of conditions. Your mind was always sharp, your intellect so keen, your head, heart and hands needed to function jointly for you to maintain an optimum level of calm. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero .
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 18, 2013
'T' is the fine souls who serve us and not what is called fine society. Fine society is only a self-protection against the vulgarities of the street and the tavern. Fine society, in the common acceptation, has neither ideas nor aims....It is an unprincipled decorum; an affair of clean linen and coaches, of gloves, cards and elegance in trifles. There are other measures of self-respect for a man than the number of clean shirts he puts on everyday. The letter T here to me personally signifies, terrific. You were a very well-rounded and one terrific human being, Officer Cook. You behaved as officers should conduct their affairs. You watched how you spoke to people, the kind of language you used. I'll bet that Karen, your beloved wife washed and laundered many of your shirts. You only wore your uniform with joy, pride, honor and with a great sense of distinction. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. There are no more worries other than for you to watch over us wearing the finest laundered uniform that now adorns your humble being. There are three things to watch in a person and your mate, how your spouse knew they found the right person to wed. 1. How a person holds their liquor. 2. How they spend their hard earned paycheck. 3. Most importantly, how they control their anger. No matter a person's religion, all of this is taken into account when a couple comes together under the wedding canopy. if all three of these factors balances out, I would undoubtedly say you have found the proper person to spend your lifetime with.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 18, 2013
Society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of each of its members. Society is a joint stock company, in which the members agree, for the better security of his bread to each shareholder, to surrender the liberty and culture of the eater. The virtue in most request is conformity. Self-reliance is its aversion. It loves not realities and creators, but names and customs. All police departments are somewhat like large corporations, with its officers kind of like the chairmen of the boards and its rank and file officers as members with the citizens that are supposed to be served acting as proxies, meaning they have shares in its stock and are to be working jointly with its officers who they compensate. Officer Cook, as one of your division's best police officers, you went on patrol daily to endeavor to uphold the laws and to keep the peace, prosperity and unity ongoing on your community. You were one of Metro-Dade's brightest stars and your glow from your treasured soul will always endure forever. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. It's up to all police officers not to give in to seduction or any other illegal means that would tarnish and undermine its department that its officers take a solemn oath to protect.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 18, 2013
A society that seduces the conscience by sweet reason is one thing, but ours is developing into a society that harpoons the conscience and tows it right into the maws of the mother vessel, there to be macerated and stuffed into a faceless can. An accurate portrayal of you, Officer cook, would be that of a humble servant of God who had a calling and a burning desire to make the most of your God-given talents. You sure were able to handle whatever dilemma was thrown your way, thrown maybe is not the right phrase. Based on your excellent vigilance, you were able to put a conclusion to many a domestic quarrel or the assignment you were given to solve at the moment. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 18, 2013
In God's own might we gird us for the coming fight, and strong in Him whose cause is ours in conflict with unholy powers, we grasp the weapons He has given,-the light, the truth and love of heaven. Your loving parents gave you the light to see the many opportunities there are for you to have succeeded. The truth and love that encompassed your life and career is there to witness. The career you chose because of the purpose you undertook was the reason Our Creator gave His power to you my neighbor, friend and hero to keep up His battle. You were a warrior until the end fighting tooth and nail for a better tomorrow on our behalf. It was time for you to close your eyes for eternity where God has called you back to assist Him now with His golden watch from up above. Rest in peace. You are greatly missed by all who loved and cherished you Officer Cook.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 18, 2013
Men! Whose boast it is that ye come of fathers brave and free, if there breathe on earth such a slave, are ye truly free and brave? You are among roughly twenty-thousand devoted men and women officers, Officer Cook, who made the ultimate sacrifice which has guaranteed our ability to be free and to be able to pursue our hopes and dreams accordingly. Now as you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero in God's serenely heavens, watch over all of us who hope and look to aspire to be the person you dedicated your life to being. Live properly. Inspire proudly.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 18, 2013
You profess to believe that "of one blood God made all nations of men and women to dwell on the face of all the earth"- and has commanded all men and women to love one another-yet you notoriously hate {and glory in your hatred!} all men and women whose skin colors are not colored like your own! In your time in your department, Officer Cook, racial unrest was found to have occurred in the community and all of your colleagues had to be able to deal with this issue on a daily basis. But, you my neighbor, friend and hero handled yourself as you would always compose yourself. You dealt with tact, dignity, grace and respect for all regardless of their backgrounds, creeds or skin colors. Bigotry, prejudice, anti-semitism and racism have no place at all in any civilized society and you were the one who tried his best to calm a tense situation before it got out of hand. At least you and your comrades endeavored to do so. It a very troubling moment, more than just a moment, what transpired that day and left not only your family, colleagues and friends at a loss, but an entire community you were so faithful and loyal until the end in serving, protecting and in unifying. Hopefully, since your untimely passing great strides have been made and are being made to implement these necessary changes to make the lives of the people better for them to thrive in. Rest in peace. This world has enough on its plate, that unneeded outside influences should not stand in its way to becoming a better society.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 18, 2013
It is the duty of nations as well as of men and women to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon. Great men and women like you, Officer Cook, accepted the challenges that law enforcement brings and this allowed you to accomplish your job with dignity and integrity in order for citizens to be able to live within themselves and to have the independence to share common ideas and thoughts with others. You made us breathe a sigh of relief by your presence to augment our thinking and action process. We will keep thinking good thoughts and positive vibes about your life and career. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 17, 2013
Sin kills the sinner and will continue to kill them as long as they sin. Sin makes its own torment and goodness its own heaven. Your wickedness makes you, as it were, heavy as lead and to tend downwards with great weight and pressure towards torment and if God should let you go, you would immediately sink and swiftly descend and plunge into the bottomless gulf and your healthy constitution and your own care and prudence, best contrivance and all your righteousness, would have no more influence to uphold you and keep you out of torment than a spider's web would have to stop a falling rock. As long there are loyal and dedicated police officers like you, Officer Cook, we should be able to carry on with your mission to make Dade County streets safer. It takes everyone to get on board to ideas and the knowledge that will bring about both a meaningful and impactful solution. As long as your eyes my neighbor, friend and hero are watching over us in this grand endeavor, we should be able to stay the course. Rest in peace. You lifted a tremendous burden off of our shoulders and the sacrifice you made only galvanizes our plans to meet evil face to face and somehow eventually wipe it away from society.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 17, 2013
The right of revolution is an inherent one. When people are oppressed by their government, it is a natural right they enjoy to relieve them selves of the oppression, if they are strong enough, either by withdrawal from it, or by overpowering it and substituting a government more acceptable. You were a strong willed person, Officer Cook and yet you utilized your powers not so much to become a power freak, but, rather to motivate others to follow peaceful means in solving their problems. You engaged people in conversation as a means of calming down those who were stirred up. Some officers think having a badge and a weapon is a license to do whatever and this is not the case and sometimes it can lead to tragic ramifications. You my neighbor, friend and hero were willing at times to err on the side of caution and it did cause a positive result to occur. One man lies in his work and garners a bad reputation; another in his manners and enjoys a good name. Rest in peace Officer Cook, your good name will forever humbly journey with you in God's golden streets as a reminder of what you meant to so many people. You loving care and value to our society can never again be replaced.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 17, 2013
Revolution is the negation of the existing, a violent protest against man's inhumanity to man with all the thousand and one slaveries it involves. It is the destroyer of dominant values upon which a complex system of injustice, oppression and wrong has been built up by ignorance and brutality. This is why we employ honest and hard-working, dedicated men and women such as yourself, officer Cook, to stem the tides and to help keep the peace in the community. Your giving, your sacrifice to assist in uplifting morals and to build character wasn't forgotten nor will it ever be out of our minds. The officers of the Central Division back when you worked out of that division were truly caring and all concerned for the welfare of the citizens and you all made quite a difference in all of their everyday lives and how the people took to your methods of policing the area. One young man bent on violence, driving a small two door Chevrolet Nova, wanting to go out of this world by taking lives of police officers, who just like the citizens are innocent people even though they carry a badge and a weapon used to protect both them and the citizens and their properties. We take our first step on the moon and amid the chaos in roughly five or so minutes, we have a terrible day among law enforcement in Dade County. A young officer named, Officer William Coleman Cook, answers a call, a domestic call, hearing two numbers on his police radio, a "34" and a "330", a call my neighbor, friend and hero you probably answered in your six solid years of commitment, a least two dozen times. What happened afterward, you saved the lives of seven people: Four of your fellow comrades, including your partner and three civilians. All in a day's work, you went down as our hero fighting, waging a terrific battle until the end, and becoming your family's hero and very importantly, your department's hero, bravery and courage staring wickedness in the eye to endeavor to resolve a situation that escalated beyond what should have happened. Never more finer. Never more valor and far more superior and superb than others. Rest in peace.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 17, 2013
Prayer is not to be used as a confessional, to cancel sin. Sin creates its own living torment and goodness its own heaven. We can declare with certainly that your loving soul has gone straight to heaven, Officer Cook, as God has returned your physical being back to where you came. You always recited your prayers, confessionals and received your communions with the humility and sincerity that these special spiritual moments call for. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 17, 2013
All people love to wonder and that is the seed of our science; and such is the mechanical determination of our age and so recent are our best contrivances, that use has not dulled our joy and pride in them; and we pity our fathers for dying before steam and galvanism, sulfuric ether and ocean telegraphs, photograph and spectroscope arrived, as cheated out of half their human estate. These arts open great gates of a future, promising to make the world plastic and to lift human life out of its beggary to a Godlike ease and power. We do love to ponder and wonder what further contributions to our modern day society you would have made, Officer Cook? With your intellect and genius, your modesty, humane and caring nature, we're left to think long and hard regarding the what ifs. Your police work certainly opened lots of eyes and brought into focus the total awareness you employed each day of your watch. Devout, loyal and honest until the end, serving those citizens with the compassion and passion that needs to be called on each moment. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. I'll bet you loved science and making projects in school as a youngster that assisted us in our daily living.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 16, 2013
Like the spirit of your high school, the Norland Vikings. You took on the personification, Officer Cook, of what a Viking is. I believe you were bold. You displayed courage and readily accepted all challenges that came your way. To be a victim of senseless violence in the performance of your duties is never the way to end a person's life. All the wonderful memories of your twenty-five years are now and forever a part of your family and all those acquainted with you. One tragic moment should not be allowed to eradicate all the goodness you embodied. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your heroic life and career is and will be a living memorial in Dade County for the ages.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 16, 2013
We live in an age of revolution and explosion: exploding bombs, exploding population, revolutionary wars, revolutionary wants. In such an age, we have only two choices, no more. We shall learn to be masters of circumstance-or we shall be its victim. Sometimes I think, Officer Cook, that we are the only victims and it can be linked to the way we live our lives. and with that being said, we can choose freely how to live and to lead our lives each and every day. One has to live for the moment. Police officers can only live per say for that day of their watches. Obviously you can't think thirty years ahead what may transpire. Oh, I wish we could, believe me. I truly think you would have retired back in November of 2000. Your friend and colleague, Officer Piloto retired on November 10, 2000, turns out that was my sister, Michele's birthday. I don't know why, but our families have certain chronological events that fall on these days. When you were buried with honors my neighbor, friend and hero, on May 19, 1979, a Saturday, this was my parents twenty-second and final anniversary, may they rest in peace. On Sunday, November 30, 2003, we buried my mother, Bernice she should rest in peace. That would have been your big birthday, number fifty. Rest in peace. I will always try and dedicate my life to the richness of your loving contributions to our society.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
July 16, 2013
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