Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

As a couple are joined in marriage and they enter their home, this is their sanctuary. The wise woman builds her home. Whatever is said of the wise woman can be said of a wise man. A home must be created and they requires two things: wisdom, which involves looking ahead and laying out plans. Building, which involves a constant and sustained effort throughout one's life. Despite, your brief life my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook, I do think you and Karen worked your tails off to provide a very special loving and nurturing home. If you were still here today, I'm sure you would still be very happily married and your love for each other would be as special as the very first day you met. Other creator has plans for us and He needed you to be reunited together in heaven with your loving father, Charles to oversee what is transpiring here in this world. Rest in peace and know that your life was one built on the foundation of humility and humanity and the rock of success and honesty.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 11, 2012

All my life, I grew up among wise people and I found nothing better for the body than silence. Getting along with one's in laws is very important. I'm sure Officer Cook, you personified this by doing various activities with your father-in-law. You both entertained each other at your homes and relaxed from the everyday activities that you undertook as a police officer. You are to be praised. You were a humble man and your devotion to God and your church is to be though of highly. Karen and you were well thought of in the community and both of you should never be forgotten. I know she remarried, I don't know where she resides, but when I see or speak to Gina, I'll tell her to send regards to Karen, Aunt Karen, and tell her I still think the world of you after all these years. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. United we stand and you were as brave and valiant as they come.Silence is golden and you knew, Officer Cook, when to speak with a calming influence.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 11, 2012

Back in the day Officer Cook, you and your wife, Karen always encouraged one another. You both sacrificed for one another and life back then could have been perceived as a struggle to earn an honest living, which both of you earned. Nurses back then did not earn what they earn today and so too with police officers and in particular with the profession you chose to perform under constant danger and adverse conditions day and night. When you came home from work, Karen was there to provide a cheerful and encouraging word. No one is an angel, but a sympathetic wife listens to her spouse and her calming tone is like a balm. I still say the two of you, Officer Cook and your lovely wife, Karen, would have made excellent parents. God sometimes has other plans. Your accomplishments as a dedicated Metro-Dade Police Officer will never and should never be diminished, they should be there for us all to see. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero with the angels above as you and those who sacrificed their lives before you walk the "Thin Blue Line."

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 11, 2012

You and your wife, Karen married when you were young. I'm sure you supported and provided for her needs dutifully. I don't know if her parents were living in Florida when you married. perhaps they were. But, I know that you continued to check on your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook and visited her often, as a good son and devoted son should do for their mother and father. When your father, Charles was alive you came to visit and inquire of their welfare. You should be commended for this. Your house was one of peace and unity because of your family values as well as Karen's upbringing. Karen also worked as a registered nurse, so being compassionate ran in your families. You loved each other so dearly, that when you sacrificed your life, one can only imagine how Karen and your families felt. I'm sorry I did not know you back in the day, when we lived around the corner from each other, but, I'll always remember your nephew, Justin and his sister, your niece, Gina and being comforted when I was in your mother's home and showed a picture of you on my cell phone and started sobbing like a baby. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, my family and I will never forget you and your special family, my dear friends for life, the Wilkerson's and their children.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 11, 2012

In the previous reflection, I meant to say Officer Cook, you were a Godsend. Every kind of problem is sent our way and it is up to us to handle it either positively or God forbid negatively. We are constantly being tested on many fronts even if we are not aware of it. Life is like a battle, the battle is on all sides and it never ends. One moment in your life is calm and uneventful, the next moment is chaotic and full of challenges. Officer Cook, my neighbor, friend and hero, you battled evil each day on duty and defended not only the people you were protecting, but your fellow officers and yourself right down to your last breath. You were tested even back in the 1970's where temptations tested officers and their reactions were being recorded for departments to observe if their officers were acting within the confines of the law. When an officer puts on their uniform they must be beyond reproach and carry out their responsibilities faithfully as you did. Rest in peace and assist your colleagues in this world to carry out their duties as honestly and truthfully as you so performed.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 11, 2012

Life is full of variety and is planned by God for a reason. We are tested by God as soon as we enter this world. The purpose for the variety is precisely to test us under all circumstances. When we achieve success, what will our reaction be? How will we act when we are faced by obstacles or worries? I can answer in the affirmative that you, Officer Cook, were a Godsend who answered your calls with zest and eagerness to achieve solutions. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero and your sacrifice will always be for a blessing. You gave your life so others could thrive.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 10, 2012

God surely took one very special person Officer Cook, when he called you to patrol from the heavens above. Open the gates of heaven, open Your bounteous storehouse. help us, rebuke us not, Save us, God of our salvation. I sure hope that one day we will all get to view salvation firsthand. The citizens you served have to believe your patrolling all of God's heavenly possessions with dignity and respect. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. The way you treated people is how we in turn should treat others.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 8, 2012

The sound of violence shall be heard no more in your land. We can only hope Officer Cook, that because of your special being and the man that you grew up to be, evil is permanently eradicated from the face of this Earth. You stood face to face with such a situation and gave your best and complete effort to take down this monster that reared its ugliness. You will not be forgotten by me. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 8, 2012

Officer Cook, you were Metro-Dade's top officers during your tenure with them. The acronym for stop to act responsibly is the word star. Humbly speaking you approached your duties with a sense of confidence and assurance. The pride with which you served the people will forever be remembered. There was never a moment you disappointed anyone. We should all feel indebted to you for your sacrifice. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend, and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 8, 2012

Your devout faith enabled you, Officer Cook, to channel your emotions in a sincere and genuine manner that appealed to the citizens you took an oath to protect. Faith is the best tonic for mankind because faith in the Lord will reward you with courage in time of trouble and an adequate purpose in life. The reason birds fly and we cannot is simply that they have perfect faith. Faith encourages reliance and in times of trouble you were able to rely on your faith and its teachings to maintain an even keel. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero and guide as on our journeys through life faithfully and with a real conviction. There were times I'm sure you couldn't please everyone, but for all those times you were able to appreciate your chances to assist others. Officers such as yourself, Officer Cook, come to us once in a lifetime. For this we are thankful and grateful.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 6, 2012

A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble will attain to honor. It is best to remember that for the righteous, the more honor is bestowed upon them, the humbler they become. As a leader of our other officers and as a follower you, Officer Cook, were able to perform your daily tasks at a much higher level then some of your peers. This is not bad, it just go to show that you truly were mature beyond your years. You set the bar high so other potential officers could follow your example of how to conduct themselves while on duty. You demonstrated professionalism at all times and for this my neighbor, friend and hero you'll never be forgotten. Rest in peace along with your father, Charles who taught you and your sister, Nancy, the true meaning of humility and how to earn it from others.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 6, 2012

Each member of the household is expected to have a distinct ole. Parents are accorded positions of honor and respect. They are the ones to exercise authority. Children, secure in the thought that their parents love them, are to be loyal and obedient. Parents instill in their children, faith, morality, truth and honesty and as the family goes so goes society If family values are reinforced, then society will portray civil order and happiness. I can see why my neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook, you were so well liked and respected for the profession you chose to enter and all the rigors of your position to serve and protect the public interest. Rest in peace and help us keep society running like a well oiled machine.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 6, 2012

Dedication and a renewal of the spirit are two of the themes for both the Chanukah and Christmas holidays. After all, Jesus had His last supper at the Passover- The Seder meal. He died on Friday the Sabbath eve. The lessons as I've reflected in the past serve to teach us that the upbringing both you, Officer Cook, and your sister, Nancy had are valuable tools for us to utilize each and every moment of our lives. Ridiculing and embarrassing someone is not the proper way to treat others. In your profession you had to use tact and be very careful how you spoke to and acted within your department's code of ethics. There is a place and time to be forceful and a time to back down and view whether or not a situation will resolve itself. For all your discipline, devotion and dedication you were commended for your actions. I'll always say you acted properly and your sacrifice is a lesson for all officers around the country to learn how to resolve a domestic dispute until the point in time when deadly force has to be implemented. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero and help those in charge lead their officers to peaceful resolutions when problems arise.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 5, 2012

The holiday season is fast approaching and you are missed greatly Officer Cook. If we could take back the evil that reared its ugliness on May 16, 1979, we would. You were a warrior who possessed a fighting spirit and dogged determination to help channel evil into good. The sacrifice you made on our behalf is what makes this land, the home of the brave. They don't make many as fine a true professional as you my neighbor, friend and hero. Rest in peace and as the blue, white, green, and red lights shine brightly, assist us in lighting up the land with only richness and kindness.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 5, 2012

A process produces progress. Because of your unwavering commitment, Officer Cook, officers who joined after your time now are afforded better protection with the side panels. It's a shame back in your day officers did not have them. It bothers me that many officers are shot between those panels. Even some departments only had vests that just protected the front of the body. Of course, even with vests, there are bullets that can penetrate these vests. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero and keep what over those brave men and women who keeping fighting evil and waging the good battle to make us safer.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 5, 2012

With God's infinite glory were you Officer Cook, created, formed and made to do the job which most ordinary persons would not do. It takes as I've reflected in the past, special people such as you to go out day after day at all times and conditions to preserve, protect and defend our rights as individuals to live our lives as we see fit. When the going gets tough the tough get going. To stay calm when the stress gets to you is remarkable in and of itself. You may not be feeling well some days, and yet you probably reported to work and carried out your duties and thanked God each day you and your lovely wife, Karen, when you came home safely. You were a blessing to all and now God watches over your revered soul. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. You were definitely and will forever be one of God's chosen children.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 3, 2012

They are a garland of grace for your head and neck and also it will give to your head a garland of grace, a crown of glory will it bestow on you. The gist of this saying is that Officer Cook, God gave you special talents to pursue your dreams of becoming a police officer. This community of North Miami Beach was fortunate to have a classy gentleman such as yourself residing here and your department really had a uniquely skilled officer serving and protecting the public. They don't make officers like you with these special inane capabilities. The sacrifice you made on May 16, 1979 exhibited the fine manner by which your beloved parents, Charles and Julia Cook raised and instilled quality values in you. You can't take anything but your good deeds with you and as you rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero, God is now guiding you and your father, Charles in eternity.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 3, 2012

My eye and heart shall be there forever and My Providence and My attention will be over you at all times. For all your years as a dedicated Metro-Dade Police Officer, Officer Cook, the good Lord watched over you and your comrades as you performed your job. You were an affable person who was well liked by everyone. You possessed a keen eye and your tactical instincts were excellent. Now as you watch over us from heaven, God should hear our cries of sorrow as we offer prays for your dear soul. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero and allow God to have compassion for us.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

December 3, 2012

You know Officer Cook, how to bring about a redemption? Turn pessimism into optimism. Something you did each day when you got up from sleeping. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero and lead us to lighter, gladder, joyful and honorable days that lie ahead.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 30, 2012

Intellect is in vain if it does not lead to emotion and emotion is useless if it does not lead to action. Your life Officer Cook, bore intellect, the emotion and passion you brought to the profession. Religion is of two kinds: deeds and creeds. Two scary words in the English language. They ring true as a bell. Your mission Officer Cook, was to bring a calmness and sanity to the community you knew and loved as you served and protected. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 30, 2012

Sacrifices were meant to improve the heart, a sort of cleansing from impurities. God alone sees the heart of man: we can only judge by outward appearances and because God looks into the heart of man, He sets value on man's will. Surely, a sincere wish to do good is what is pleasing in God's sight. if a man projected the performance of a meritorious action, but was prevented from performing it, it is regarded as if he had performed it. man must have the keen desire to do good. The sacrifice you made my dear neighbor, friend and hero, Officer Cook made, so others could live is the biggest feat the a person can do. You expended the effort to resolve a potentially violent situation and in doing so gave up your life and time in this world. Your priceless upbringing extended to your very mind, heart and all the pious deeds performed here and now that you are resting in peace, God is judging your cherished soul accordingly. Today, this morning I visited your grave and took a little time to clean around it. For your sacrifice, you deserve a little time. Your devoutness is seen as a good sign post along the avenues of life.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 30, 2012

The family life of a police officer speaks many times as to how that officer will discharge their duties on the streets. Your father, Charles, may he rest in peace was the symbol of strength in your home and your mother, Mrs. Julia Cook, may she live and be well was the rock who nurtured both you and your sister, Nancy into the individuals that you grew up and became successes in your endeavors. The morals taught to you served you very well as an officer. The knowledge you acquired and shared with others made them better people for having known you. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero. Your faith, morals, knowledge and ideals will forever live on in your family. Once there no matter the outcome it never departs from your special loved ones.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 29, 2012

Let a person be as sturdy as the reed, and not as unbending as the cedar. Words to live by that should be the motto of all police officers. With the morals, ethics and understanding you so possessed, Officer Cook, it's no wonder during your tenure with the Metro-Dade Police department that you were recognized for your outstanding work. You were one to elevate a situation from bad to good because of these inane characteristics inbred in you. Sometimes either a person has what it takes to carry out the assignments, or they don't. Police officers do not always get a second chance once something goes terribly wrong. But, you'll forever be honored and reflected on for doing what had to be done. You attempted your very best to solve a serious problem when time was of the essence. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 29, 2012

Mercy, modesty and loving-kindness were traits of you, Officer Cook, that those who knew you personally and professionally will remember you for. A just and reasonable modesty does not only recommend eloquence, but sets off every great talent which a man can be possessed of. You were a man of many talents and the eloquence of how you pursued your every day passions speaks volumes of your fine and upstanding character. There is a saying that no one takes a beating like a bragger and you sir, my neighbor, friend and hero followed a humble life. One of the chief hindrances to humility is ignorance or lack of knowledge. A police officer needs to be sharp at all times and have a modest disposition which allowed you, Officer Cook, to bring out the best of your abilities. Rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 29, 2012

Today Officer Cook, we live in an era of military parades and great exhibitions of armed strength. I'm sure when you were a recruit in the Police Academy at Miami- Dade Community College North Campus, you marched with your fellow recruits, as you did with your friend and fellow officer Chief Geoff Jacobs as drummers in the marching band. I want to recant the many pleasant memories you both had of being in high school and the police academy together. When you were presented with your badges, I'll imagine you went to Metro-Dade to work and the Chief went to Opa Locka police Department where he worked on the auto theft squad. The battles in the line of duty that you sometimes had to endure Officer Cook, enabled to you to sharpen your skills in dealing with domestic disputes. The courage and bravery you exhibited on May 16, 1979, reminds each and every officer in the line of duty just how careful they need to be when assessing a situation. You classmate and friend, Geoff Jacobs worked his way up the ranks, he paid his dues to his profession and now serves as Police Chief in Porterdale, Georgia outside of Atlanta. Rest in peace my neighbor, friend and hero as you march to the beat in God's heavenly throne. I'm sure Chief Jacobs and you, Officer Cook, would have made great partners had he stayed in the Metro-Dade Police Department.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 29, 2012