Who was Bernard Kerik? Former NYPD police commissioner and 9/11 hero dies at age 69
Bernard Kerik, former New York Police Commissioner and 9/11 hero, has died at age 69, the New York Police Department confirmed on Thursday by way of social media.Meanwhile, FBI Director Kash Patel paid tributes and mentioned, “Bernie passed away tragically on May 29, 2025, after a private battle with illness.” He described Kerik as “a warrior, a patriot, and one of the most courageous public servants this country has ever known.”Patel added, “He was decorated more than 100 times for bravery, valor, and service, having rescued victims from burning buildings, survived assassination attempts, and brought some of the world’s most dangerous criminals to justice.”“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,” Patel mentioned.Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani remembered their lengthy friendship on “The Rudy Giuliani Show.” He mentioned, “We’ve been together since the beginning. He’s like my brother.”“I was a better man for having known Bernie. I certainly was a braver and stronger man,” Giuliani added.
Who was Bernard Kerik?
Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1955, Kerik dropped out of highschool however earned a GED earlier than becoming a member of the US Army. After army service, he pursued a profession in legislation enforcement, finally rising via the ranks.Appointed by Giuliani as police commissioner in 2000, Kerik gained nationwide prominence in the course of the September 11, 2001 terrorist assaults, coordinating emergency response efforts alongside Giuliani after the World Trade Center collapse.Over his 35-year profession, Kerik obtained greater than 100 awards for meritorious and heroic service, together with a presidential commendation for heroism from former (*69*) Ronald Reagan and two Distinguished Service Awards from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.In 2010, Kerik was convicted of federal tax fraud and false assertion prices associated to over $250,000 in house renovations funded by a development agency. He was sentenced to 3 years in jail and launched in 2013. In 2020, (*69*) Donald Trump pardoned him.A staunch Trump ally and vocal critic of the legal justice system, Kerik later labored with Giuliani investigating claims of election fraud after the 2020 elections. He was additionally known as to testify earlier than the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riots, in keeping with Fox News.
