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Incident
Police Officer William Cook was shot and killed at the intersection of NW 77th Terrace and NW 12th Avenue, in Gladeview, after he and other officers responded a shots fired call at 2:11 pm, just four minutes before he was to return to the station to end his shift. A man had just fired shots into the home of his estranged wife. He and other members of his squad were only one block away and responded to the scene, although they were not dispatched. When they arrived at the scene one of the officers jumped into the suspect's car and attempted to disarm him but was shot in the head. The officer fell out of the car as Officer Cook returned fire, striking the suspect. Thinking the suspect was dead, the other officers immediately went to the aid of the wounded officer. The man suddenly rose and opened fire again, striking Officer Cook in the side, between the panels of his vest, and the third officer in the chest. As the man exited his vehicle a detective arrived on the scene and immediately exchanged shots with him, killing him. Officer Cook had served with the Metro-Dade Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, mother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Cook gave the Metro-Dade Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Miami community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Cook.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Metro-Dade Police Department has lost 25 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1979, 1 officer at Metro-Dade Police Department was killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1976, with 3.
In 1979, 6 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1979, 136 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1979, 153 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 31st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 25. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Metro-Dade Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27.3 and 34; the middle age was 32. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 25. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
William was 25. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 25. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 21.4% of these deaths at Metro-Dade Police Department; April holds the most, 28.6%. Wednesdays: 14.3%.
May holds 9% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Wednesdays: 11.2%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 56% of all 25 deaths at Metro-Dade Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.2% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 23.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Metro-Dade Police Department has 25 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Edward Emile Fritz, Jr.
Feb 3, 1953
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Jerome R. Christman
Dec 3, 1960
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Earl Lee Johnson, Jr.
Feb 3, 1962
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Carlos S. Stuteville
Aug 22, 1964
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Paul G. Anderson, Jr.
May 7, 1967
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Johnny Edward Mitchell
Dec 31, 1971
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Harrison Crenshaw, Jr.
May 18, 1974
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Simmons Arrington
May 21, 1974
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Clark Hamilton Curlette
Apr 1, 1976
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Frank Kenneth D'Azevedo
Apr 1, 1976
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Thomas Allen Hodges, Jr.
Apr 1, 1976
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William Coleman Cook
May 16, 1979
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William Franklin Askew
Jul 24, 1979
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Edward Russell Young
Sep 23, 1981
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Cheryl W. Seiden
Jul 28, 1982
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Stephen Owen Corbett
May 28, 1983
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Robert L. Zore
Dec 25, 1983
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Richard Allen Boles
Nov 28, 1988
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David Henry Strzalkowski
Nov 28, 1988
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Jose Teodoro Gonzalez
Mar 28, 1989
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Joseph Preston Martin
Apr 27, 1990
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Thomas James Leis
Apr 29, 1990
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Evelyn Gort
Oct 30, 1993
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Robert Vargas
Feb 7, 1997
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Richard P. Wentlandt
Mar 15, 1997
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-W
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