Bernard Kerik, recognized for his part as
New York City’s
police commissioner during the
9/11 attacks
and who later found himself entangled in legal issues until he was pardoned by President
Donald Trump
has passed away at the age of 69.
The confirmation of his demise came from FBI Director
Kash Patel
Through social media on Thursday, it was shared that Kerik passed away after a private struggle with an illness.
On his program last Thursday, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani spoke thoughtfully about his close relationship with the departed commissioner, saying emotionally, “Our friendship dates back to the start. He’s practically my sibling,” Giuliani remarked tearfully. “Associating with Bernie made me a superior individual. Indeed, he instilled courage and fortitude in me.”
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After his service in the Army, Kerik rose to the highest ranks of law enforcement but then faced a significant fall from grace, even witnessing a city jail previously named after him getting renamed.
In 2010, he confessed to committing federal tax fraud as well as charges associated with providing false information. These offenses were connected to more than $250,000 in renovations financed by a construction firm aiming to influence city officials via Kerik due to his purported ties to organized crime. After spending three years behind bars, Kerik was released in 2013.
In a broad gesture of leniency in 2020, President Trump granted a pardon to Kerik. Following this, he joined Trump in celebration when the former president appeared before a federal court in Florida for matters related to classified documents. Later, he attended Trump’s address at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
Appointed by Giuliani as police commissioner in 2000, Kerik led the department during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
He helped the ex-mayor of New York City with the post-election endeavors aimed at contesting Trump’s loss in 2020.
Patel praised Kerik on social media, referring to him as “a warrior, a patriot, and among the bravest public servants our nation has ever seen.”
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Patel mentioned that he received over 100 awards due to his courage, strength, and dedicated service; these accolades were earned through rescuing people from flaming structures, surviving assassination plots, and apprehending many of the globe’s most notorious criminals. His impact extends beyond mere decorations or honors—it lies in the lives he protected, the city he aided in reconstructing, and the nation he represented with dignity.
President Trump has not made any remarks about Kerik’s death.
