Reports indicate that Bernard Kerik, who notably held the position of New York City Police Department commissioner during the harrowing 9/11 attacks, passed away on Thursday. He was 69 years of age.
Kerik enlisted in the NYPD in 1986 and ascended to the role of the department’s 40th commissioner under the stewardship of then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani, from 2000 to 2001. “For nearly two decades, Kerik served and protected New Yorkers in the NYPD, including helping rebuild the city in the aftermath of 9/11,” according to a statement from the NYPD.
Kerik’s career also involved a stint within President George W. Bush’s administration in 2003, heading up a provisional police force in Iraq. In the wake of Kerik’s death, New York City Mayor Eric Adams paid tribute to his old friend, acknowledging his service to the city and the nation.
Yet, the significance of this should not be overlooked: Kerik’s career was not without controversy. In 2010, he pleaded guilty to federal tax fraud and false statement charges, partially related to unreported income from a construction firm. After serving three years in prison, he was released in 2013.
Kerik was granted a presidential pardon by Donald Trump in 2020 and was present when Trump made his first appearance in federal court in Florida post-presidency. Over the years, Kerik had been appointed and advised by Giuliani in various capacities, including during the tumultuous period following the 2020 presidential election.
Kerik abruptly withdrew his nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security in 2004, citing concerns over the immigration status of his housekeeper and nanny. After his public service, Kerik established a crisis and risk management consulting firm in 2005.
According to friends and colleagues, Kerik’s legacy is marked by courage and service. He was decorated over a hundred times for bravery, valor, and service. His career spanned rescuing victims from burning buildings and surviving assassination attempts, to convicting some of the world’s most dangerous criminals.
A complex legacy of public service tinged with personal controversy. Questions remain about some aspects of Kerik’s career, but what is clear is his dedication to law enforcement and to the city of New York during some of its most testing times.
