America Says Goodbye to the Former Police Commissioner of 9/11

Bernard Kerik, who served as the police commissioner of New York City during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, has passed away at the age of 69.

His death was confirmed on Thursday by FBI Director Kash Patel, who indicated that the former police officer died following a “private battle with illness.”

Kerik was responsible for overseeing the New York Police Department’s response to the deadliest terrorist attack in United States history. Subsequently, he was appointed by former U.S. President George W. Bush to lead a provisional police force in Iraq.

In 2009, Kerik pleaded guilty to tax fraud charges and served three years in federal prison. However, he received a pardon from President Donald Trump in 2020. Tributes to Kerik have been offered by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who was in office during Kerik’s tenure as police commissioner, and the current mayor, Eric Adams.

“We’ve been together since the beginning. He’s like my brother,” Giuliani said on his program on Thursday, adding, “I was a better man for having known Bernie. I certainly was a braver and stronger man.”

Mayor Adams, who had been friends with Kerik for nearly 30 years, stated that he visited him in the hospital prior to his death. In a statement, Adams said, “He was with his loved ones who are in my prayers tonight. He was a great New Yorker and American.”

Kerik, a former Army veteran and decorated law enforcement officer, progressed through the ranks during his career. In 2004, he was a leading contender to head the Department of Homeland Security under President Bush but ultimately withdrew his nomination.

In 2009, Kerik admitted guilt to federal charges after being accused of providing false statements to investigators regarding interest-free loans he received from an Israeli billionaire and a New York real estate magnate while holding public office.

He was granted a full presidential pardon by President Trump in 2020. Later that year, he joined Rudy Giuliani’s efforts to challenge the results of the presidential election.