NEW YORK – Bernard Kerik, who led the New York Police Department (NYPD) during the 9/11 attacks and later went to prison before receiving a presidential pardon, has died at the age of 69.
The NYPD confirmed his death on Thursday through a post on social media. According to FBI Director Kash Patel, Kerik passed away after a private battle with illness.
Remembered by Friends and Colleagues
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who appointed Kerik as police commissioner, gave an emotional tribute to his longtime friend on his podcast.
“We’ve been together since the beginning. He’s like my brother,” Giuliani said through tears. “I was a better man for having known Bernie. I certainly was a braver and stronger man.”
A Hero During One of America’s Darkest Days
Bernard Kerik became a national figure when he led the NYPD during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He was widely praised for his leadership and courage during the tragedy. Many called him “America’s Top Cop.”
In his 2015 memoir titled From Jailer to Jailed, Kerik wrote about his experience during the attacks.
“But I’d give anything for that day not to have happened,” he wrote. “I was there, and I did the best I could do under the circumstances. It’s all any of us did.”
A Career Full of Highs and Lows
Kerik’s journey was filled with both great achievements and serious setbacks. He began his career as an Army veteran and joined the NYPD in the late 1980s. He worked his way up and was chosen by Giuliani to lead the city’s troubled jail system, including Riker’s Island.
In 2000, Giuliani appointed him as police commissioner. Just a year later, he was faced with leading the city’s police through the horror of 9/11.
His bravery and public service led to even bigger opportunities. In 2003, President George W. Bush sent him to Iraq to help rebuild the country’s police force. In 2004, Bush nominated him to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
However, Kerik soon withdrew from the nomination, saying he had hired a housekeeper who may not have had legal immigration status.
Fall From Grace: Legal Trouble and Prison Time
Kerik’s public image took a major hit when he was charged with several crimes. In 2010, he pleaded guilty to federal charges, including tax fraud and making false statements. One of the charges was related to $250,000 worth of renovations on his apartment, which he received from a construction company that had ties to organized crime.
A judge pointed out that Kerik committed these crimes while serving as the top law enforcement officer in New York City. He was sentenced to four years in prison and served about three years before being released in 2013.
A Presidential Pardon from Donald Trump
Despite his criminal record, Kerik remained close to many powerful political figures. In 2020, he received a full pardon from President Donald Trump as part of a wave of clemencies.
Kerik later supported Trump during his legal battles and was seen at Trump’s New Jersey club after the former president’s court appearance related to classified documents.
Continued Work and Legacy
After his time in prison, Kerik started his own company called The Kerik Group. The firm focused on crisis and risk management. He also returned to the public eye during efforts to support Trump’s claims of election fraud in the 2020 presidential race.
Throughout his life, Kerik was recognized more than 100 times for acts of bravery and public service. He helped rescue people from burning buildings, survived assassination attempts, and helped bring dangerous criminals to justice.
FBI Director Kash Patel shared a heartfelt tribute:
“He was a warrior, a patriot, and one of the most courageous public servants this country has ever known. His legacy is not just in the medals or the titles, but in the lives he saved, the city he helped rebuild, and the country he served with honor.”
Humble Beginnings
Kerik’s rise to fame was far from expected. He grew up in Paterson, New Jersey, and dropped out of Eastside High School, which was later featured in the 1989 film Lean on Me.
He joined the U.S. Army, where he served as a military policeman in South Korea. After his military service, he worked in private security in Saudi Arabia. Later, he returned to the United States and began supervising jails in New Jersey.
Eventually, he joined the NYPD and worked his way up through the ranks. His story became one of success, struggle, and redemption.
Bernard Kerik’s life was filled with both praise and criticism. He was known for his bravery on 9/11, his rise from humble beginnings, and his dedication to public service. But he also faced serious legal trouble that led to prison time.
Still, many remember him as a man who gave his best during one of the most difficult times in American history. His legacy lives on through the lives he touched and the city he helped protect.
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