Miami-Dade Officer Killed 43 Years Ago Remembered

MIAMI, FL — The Miami-Dade Police Department remembered on social media one of their own killed in the line of duty 43 years ago.

On May 16, 1979, Officer William Coleman Cook was shot and killed at the intersection of NW 77th Terrace and NW 12th Avenue in Gladeview, after he and other officers responded to a shots fired call at 2:11 p.m., just four minutes before he was to return to the station to end his shift, police said.

According to officers, a man had just fired shots into the home of his estranged wife.

Police said 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, police said the other officers immediately went to the aid of the wounded officer.

Police said 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.

Police said Officer Cook had served with the Metro-Dade Police Department for six years. He was survived by his wife, mother and sister.