Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Police Officer William Coleman Cook

Metro-Dade Police Department, Florida

End of Watch Wednesday, May 16, 1979

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Reflections for Police Officer William Coleman Cook

A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity. When adversity struck your department that day of May 16, 1979, look at all your colleagues who mourned you, Officer Cook, collectively.You too were there in times of tumult. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 7, 2013

What a blessing is a friend with a heart so trustworthy that you may safely bury all your secrets in it, whose conscience you may fear less than your own, who can relive your cares by his words, your doubts by his advice, your sadness by his good humor and whose very look gives comfort to you. You sure were a blessing to your department, Officer Cook. Your fellow officers knew very well who had their backs in times of danger and distress. Your keen sense of humor is missed terribly, your brilliant smile and comforting words that assisted you and helped you through tough moments will not be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 7, 2013

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from the earnest counsel. The joy that is missing because of your absence, Officer Cook, only serves to make our hearts grow fonder when the day comes when both you and your father, Charles are united with us once again. Rest in sweet peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 7, 2013

I account that one of the greatest demonstrations of real friendship is that a friend can really endeavor to have his friend advanced in honor, in reputation, in the opinion of wit or learning, before himself. You always Officer Cook, put your friends and fellow officers before you. This is why your so fondly thought of today. There is a saying: What have you done lately? You my neighbor, friend and hero did quite a lot in your twenty-five years of a life well lived. Rest in peace.Your friends knew by your unselfish actions the class person you were and continue to be this day.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 7, 2013

Don't praise yourself. let someone else do it. Let the praise come from a stranger and not from your own mouth. Officer Cook, you let your actions speak volumes. This is why you were rewarded for a job well done. Continue to rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your picture hangs proudly in the lobby of Metro-Dade's Main Headquarters for all to view along with your colleagues who also laid down their lives in the line of duty.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 7, 2013

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. Love is supposed to conquer all and I hope and pray it can get us through each moment of the day as you, Officer Cook, would want us to. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. We can never fault you for responding to a call you did not have to go to. Our police officers today have some faults as some officers, those with a high rank within their departments are leaving their jobs early, putting other officers and those they protect in danger. My neighbor, friend and hero, I wished you were here today to explain the finer points and virtues of what it truly means to be a loyal and devoted police officer within the ranks.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 7, 2013

Our love is like a misty rain that falls softly- but floods the river. The outpouring of affection shown to you, Officer Cook, at your Inspector's Funeral and mass at St. Mary's Cathedral shows that thousands of people showed up to pay their respects to a fine and respectful young man who gave of himself. The tears and emotions that day, a sunny day just as the day you, Officer Cook, gave your life to protect Dade County citizens only enhances the beautiful memories you left for us to share. You were there to care and share and you're very much missed today. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 7, 2013

Life is so generous a giver, but we, judging its gifts by the covering, cast them away as ugly, or heavy or hard. Remove the covering and you will find beneath it a living splendor, woven of love, by wisdom with power. This saying sounds to me like someone describing the perfect example of a dedicated Metro-Dade Police officer named William C. Cook. God creates each of us in His image and you, Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend, and hero. Born of love, faith, honor, integrity and dignity, you were the best officer of your time working in your department and are still fondly remembered for giving of yourself. Rest in peace. You gave your very soul so others could survive. There couldn't be a finer tribute to a fine human being devoted to his community.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 7, 2013

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. Officer Cook, you were a very gifted young man, who utilized his talents to the maximum. To listen to your soothing words penetrating one ears made those hearing them more happy than ever. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 6, 2013

God give me joy in the common things; in the dawn that lures, the eve that sings.... in the songs of children, unrestrained; in the sober wisdom age has gained. God give me joy in the tasks that press, in the memories that burn and bless, in the thought that life has love to spend, in the faith that God's at journey's end. God give me hope for each day that springs, God giver me joy in the common things! God gives us the inane wisdom you were blessed to have Officer Cook. If only He could have granted you more years. The sacrifice you made for us will always burn inside of us as the memories can never be taken away from us. as you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, watch over us as God gives to us the joy and pleasure to occupy ourselves with the good things that life has to offer that you were allowed the opportunity to pursue.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 6, 2013

A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. The sadness of your passing can never be minimized nor can it be forgotten, Officer Cook. We all feel sorrow for your loss, but we do know that one day we will all see you and your father once again. Our hearts then will be jumping for joy. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 6, 2013

Unshared joy is an unlighted candle. The joy you brought to your family and so many individuals is the perpetual light, Officer Cook, which helps us illuminate the darkness in society. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero as the souls of both you and your beloved father, Charles, light up the entire universe.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 6, 2013

If you desire to be really happy, you must make God your final and ultimate goal. Your spirituality along with your wife Karen's, Officer Cook was always at the top of your daily priorities. Even now after all these years since your untimely passing, our ultimate goals in life are to make spiritual pursuits number one. You'll never be forgotten my neighbor, friend and hero. Rest in peace and allow us to fulfill our ambitions in a healthy and happy manner as you watch over us.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 6, 2013

A part of our petition must always be for an increasing discernment so that we can see things as God sees them. We may ask for greater faith so that we can heal others, but God, who understands human need far better than we do, gives us greater compassion so that we can weep with others. When remembering you, Officer Cook, we can shed tears and be as emotional as we want to be. Everyone mourns a person's loss differently. As compassionate and sincere as you were my neighbor, friend and hero, so too we should emulate those qualities as well. Your untimely passing leaves us baffled and searching for answers as to why this happened to such a fine and upstanding young man as you were Officer Cook. Rest in peace. One day we can petition God for the real reasons behind such tragedies.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 5, 2013

There is joy in heaven when a tear of sorrow is shed in the presence of a truly understanding heart and heaven will never forget that joy. I can say in the affirmative Amen to that Officer Cook. When God called you home, there surely was a river of tears shed and you are watching over us along with your father, Charles, making certain we are enjoying our lives, but we shall never forget the dignity and grace with which you brought to the Metro-Dade Police Department. As it says on your headstone, "We Shall Be One ." You took it upon yourself to protect your fellow officers you knew and loved working with you to protect us from wickedness. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 5, 2013

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand. I will never forget your superior qualities or your braveness in undertaking a dangerous profession. I do leave these reflections for you, Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero in good faith and understand the sacrifices you and your colleagues make on our behalf daily so we can pursue our lives with greatness and dignity. Rest in peace along with your beloved father, Charles.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 5, 2013

The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get. Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness and honor. The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust. The citizens of Dade County out their trust and support solidly behind you, Officer Cook. You and Karen lived in a modest home not far from where I spent about four years of my life from 1989 until 1994. The undying love and support you gave each other was always blessed and in good taste. You supported each other's career and compromised when you needed to. Back in the day registered nurses and police officers were not compensated like they are today and police work is still as dangerous as it was when you served your department. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Life goes on and you are sorely missed by all. Still wished I had known you personally.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 5, 2013

The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry, and a wise friend's timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger. I'm sure as long as you were a police officer, Officer Cook, the timing of your coming and going was always done with precision. You acted with respect when in or out of uniform and your wisdom you so imparted on others was as priceless as gold. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 5, 2013

For all those officers who wage war against evil as you did in your career, Officer Cook, God's help should be nearer than the door. You are always there in spirit for us to chat with my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 3, 2013

Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. We should all be confident in reuniting one day with you, Officer Cook and your beloved father, Charles. Rest in peace for now my neighbor, friend and hero. It is your spirit that is giving us the energy to carry on.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 3, 2013

Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. I would say Amen to you Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero for enriching the lives of so many who came to meet up with you. Your life was truly a grand blessing in the way you and your wife, Karen, carried out your lives together, touching the very souls of your families. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. We thanks to Our creator for placing such special people as you Officer Cook in this world.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 3, 2013

You can never change the past. But by the grace of God, you can win the future. So remember those things which will help you forward, but forget those things which will only hold you back. The problem is you know and we know that life goes on, we cannot bring you and you colleagues who gave their lives back. We can only enhance your spirit by not forgetting your actions which cost you your cherished existence. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 3, 2013

Things never go so well that one should have no fear, and never so ill that one should have no hope. Since you put your faith in God's hands, Officer Cook, more often than not he delivered from evil. After all, officers that give a supreme effort as you did, often are saved from peril. That fateful day, you responded to a call you didn't have to go to and because of your heroic actions you saved your colleagues from certain death and the civilians involved as well. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Every person on this earth shows fear, it's a trait found in every red-blooded human being including police officers for as much training as they receive.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 3, 2013

God is here. I have joyously discovered that He is always "up to something" in my life, and I am learning to quit second-guessing Him and simply trust the process. We can second-guess why you answered a call that you did not have to respond to, Officer Cook. You responded and gave the very better effort to calm a dangerous dilemma. You saved the lives of four other officers that day because of your courageous actions. Never again to be forgotten. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. I can't fathom Officer Cook, and I do not know it personally if you ever gave another thought to doing anything different with your life. You lived honorably and passed honorably because of the man you were, Officer William C. Cook: Badge#1664.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 2, 2013

Bring bread to the table and your friends will bring their joy to share. It's a shame our families never broke bread together, Officer Cook. Hopefully the Wilkerson's can be my guests at a holiday where I lead services. I miss you as a friend and neighbor. You'll always be a hero in my eyes for your heroic actions on May 16, 1979. Rest in peace. I hope when you got to heaven you and your father were introduced to my dad, Owen, he should rest in peace who was a veteran New York City Police Officer.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 2, 2013

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