Bernard Kerik, NYPD commissioner during 9/11, dies at 69
Bernard Kerik, who served as New York City's police commissioner on 9/11 and later pleaded guilty to tax fraud before being pardoned, has died. He was 69.
FBI Director Kash Patel said that Kerik's death Thursday came after an unspecified "private battle with illness."
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who tapped Kerik as a bodyguard for his 1993 mayoral campaign and later appointed him to lead the NYPD, reflected on their long history on his show Thursday.
"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."
Kerik, who joined the NYPD in 1986, served as the department's 40th commissioner from 2000 to 2001 under Giuliani.
"For nearly two decades, Kerik served and protected New Yorkers in the NYPD, including helping rebuild the city in the aftermath of 9/11. We offer our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones," the NYPD wrote on social media.
"Don't think there are very few people in my life that I relied on more," Giuliani added. "Nor are there too many people in my life, actually, there was no one in my life that was braver than he was."
Bernard Kerik, former New York Police Commissioner, speaks during a news conference outside Manhattan criminal court in New York on May 20, 2024.
Alex Kent/Bloomberg via Getty Images
In 2003, Kerik served in President George W. Bush's administration as the head of a provisional police force in Iraq.
"It was just this afternoon that I stopped by the hospital to see Bernie Kerik, my friend of nearly 30 years, before his passing. He was with his loved ones who are in my prayers tonight. He was a great New Yorker and American. Rest in peace, my friend," New York City Mayor Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement.
"He epitomizes what I always say: Generals lead from the front. Bernie led from the front. He was willing to lead his troops into battle protecting his city," Adams added Friday.
Kerik, an Army veteran, rose to the pinnacle of law enforcement before a fall so steep that even a city jail named after him was renamed.
In 2009, he pleaded guilty to federal tax fraud and false statement charges, partially stemming from over $250,000 in apartment renovations he received from a construction firm that authorities say counted on Kerik to convince New York officials it had no organized crime links. He served three years in prison before his release in 2013.
President Trump pardoned Kerik during a 2020 clemency blitz. Kerik was among the guests feting Mr. Trump after his first appearance in federal court in Florida in a case related to his handling of classified documents, attending the former president's remarks at his Bedminster, New Jersey, club.
"I think that the legacy that he really leaves is that he was a cop, he saved a lot of lives, and he never stopped," Timothy Parlatore, Kerik's close friend, told CBS News New York.
Attorney General Pam Bondi called Kerik a "dear friend" in a post to social media sending prayers to his family and friends.
Kerik caught the Bush administration off guard when he abruptly withdrew his nomination to run the Department of Homeland Security in 2004.
At the time he said he had uncovered information that led him to question the immigration status of a person he employed as a housekeeper and nanny.
The sprawling homeland security bureaucracy, created by Bush in the aftermath of 9/11, oversees the federal agencies responsible for enforcement of the nation's immigration laws, among many others.
In 2005, Kerik founded the Kerik Group, a crisis and risk management consulting firm.
He later worked for the former mayor of New York City surrounding the efforts to overturn Mr. Trump's 2020 loss.
Patel described Kerik in a post on social media as "a warrior, a patriot, and one of the most courageous public servants this country has ever known."
"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," he said. "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."
contributed to this report.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Who can vote in Broome County primary election? When, where polls are open
Broome County Republicans will have the chance to vote to appoint five nominees for local government positions in late June. This year, only Republican primary elections will take place in Broome County, and only registered Republican voters in designated towns are eligible to vote, with no other parties holding primary elections within Broome County. Voters will have the chance to decide their party's nominee for Broome County clerk, Windsor town council member, Windsor town justice and two Johnson City trustees. The winners of each primary race will become the Republican nominees in the general election in November. Here is everything you need to know about how to vote on Primary Election Day. More: Here are the Broome County primary candidates on the ballot June 24 Voting will take place on Tuesday, June 24, when polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Primary election poll sites in Broome County include: Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Church Recreation Center, 358 Clinton St., Binghamton. Broome County Public Library Decker Room, 185 Court St., Binghamton. American Legion Post 1645, 177 Robinson St., Binghamton. St. Patrick's Parish Center Lobby, 58 Oak St., Binghamton. Unitarian Universalist Church of Binghamton, 183 Riverside Drive, Binghamton. St. John & St. Andrew Church Parish, 1263 Vestal Ave., Binghamton. Conklin Ave First Baptist Church, 91 Baldwin St., Binghamton. Barker Town Office Building, 151 Hyde St., Barker. Binghamton Town Hall, 279 Upper Park Ave, Binghamton. Chenango Fire Station #1, 86 Castle Creek Road, Chenango. Chenango Bridge First United Methodist, lower rear entrance, 740 River Road, Chenango. Colesville Town Hall, 780 Welton St., Colesville. Floyd Maines Community Center, 942 Conklin Road, Conklin. Cornell Cooperative Extension Taste NY Building, 840 Upper Front St., Dickinson. Fenton Town Hall, 44 Park St., Fenton. Kirkwood Town Hall, 70 Crescent Drive, Kirkwood. Lisle Fire Station #1, 9090 state Route 79, Lisle. Most Holy Rosary Church, 2596 Main St., Maine. Glen Aubrey Fire Company, 32 Octagon St., Nanticoke. Sanford Town Hall, 91 Second St., Sanford. Triangle Town Hall, 2612 Liberty St., Triangle. Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 594 Kent St., Windsor. George F. Johnson Memorial Library, 1001 Park St., Endicott. St. Anthony of Padua Church, 300 Odell Ave., Endicott. Calvary Community Wesleyan Church, 780 Harry L Drive, Johnson City. Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church, 230 Ukrainian Hill Road, Johnson City. Primitive Methodist Church, 4 Ackley Ave., Johnson City. West Corners Fire Station, 500 Day Hollow Road, Endicott. Union Center Fire Station #1, 1811 state Route 26, Union Center. Our Savior Lutheran Church, 731 Hooper Road, Endwell. Endwell United Methodist Church, 3301 Watson Blvd., Endwell. Endwell Fire Station #1, 3508 Country Club Road, Endwell. Vestal Town Hall, board room, 605 Vestal Parkway West, Vestal. Vestal Public Library, 320 Vestal Parkway East, Vestal. Vestal Fire Station #4, 118 S Jensen Road, Vestal. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 305 Murray Hill Road, Vestal. Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 801 Main St., Vestal. Vestal Fire Station #2, 2513 state Route 26 South, Vestal Center. Find your election district online at This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Broome County Primary Election voter guide: When, where to vote
Bloomberg
18 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
What's Next After the Initial Fallout from US Strikes on Iran
What's next? The unprecedented US airstrikes on Iran have set traders and governments worldwide on edge, as the Islamic Republic warns of retaliation and Israel shows no sign of letting up in its assault. Asian currencies and stocks fell, European stock futures declined while oil advanced, then erased gains, after Washington struck Iran's nuclear sites over the weekend. China and Pakistan were quick to condemn — even though China hasn't yet offered substantial assistance to Tehran besides rhetorical support and Pakistan is at the same time taking steps to build stronger ties with the White House. The US State Department issued a ' Worldwide Caution ' alert for Americans. More critically, President Donald Trump's decision to deploy bunker-busting bombs — in Washington's first direct military action against Iran after decades of hostility — has pushed the Middle East into uncharted territory. Did the end justify the means? While the US attacks have set back Iran's nuclear ambitions and dealt its clerical regime a humiliating blow, the program hasn't been completely destroyed. The move may ultimately lead Tehran to end international monitoring of its nuclear program and consider going ahead to develop a bomb. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei hasn't been seen in public in 11 days but remains in control. Even as diplomatic allies Russia and China have stayed on the sidelines and its network of armed proxies in the region remains weakened, Tehran still has ways to inflict pain on the US as it plans its retaliation. Two supertankers, each capable of hauling about 2 million barrels of crude, U-turned in the Strait of Hormuz after the US airstrikes on Iran raised the risk of a response that would ensnare commercial shipping in the region, according to vessel tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. The two empty freighters then sailed south, away from the mouth of the Persian Gulf. The turning oil carriers offer the first signs of re-routing, something that oil traders will scrutinize. Any disruption to traffic through the strait, a major artery for global crude and natural gas, raises the specter of a spike in energy prices. That's bad news for Asia, which buys more than four-fifths of all the crude produced in the Middle East, 90% of which goes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ontario County GOP voters to decide DA primary June 24: What to know
Voting in the Republican primary for Ontario County District Attorney will take place on Tuesday, June 24, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at all 44 county polling sites. According to the Ontario County Board of Elections, more than 29,000 registered Republicans are eligible to vote in the race between incumbent District Attorney James Ritts and challenger Jason MacBride, a career prosecutor. This high-profile contest has drawn attention since MacBride launched his campaign in February, citing concerns over an internal investigation into a controversial courthouse election night party that involved costumes, alcohol, decorations, and karaoke. MacBride, formerly Ritts' First Assistant DA, said the incident raised ethical concerns and motivated his candidacy. In a statement, he wrote: 'It is not silly for the public to expect their District Attorney to be truthful during an official investigation.' Ritts has defended the event, stating it was a long-standing tradition started by his predecessor and only became controversial during his re-election bid. This is the only countywide primary in Ontario County. Republican primaries are also being held in the towns of Farmington, Gorham, Naples, Phelps, and Richmond. James Ritts (Incumbent) First elected in 2017 as a Republican and Conservative. Previously served as First Assistant DA under R. Michael Tantillo. Ran unopposed in 2021, now seeking a third term. In a statement, Ritts said: 'Our 96% conviction rate and lowest dismissal rate in Western NY (4% compared to the statewide 14%) is a point of pride. I've recruited an amazing team to fight for victims, public safety, and justice for all.'' He pledged to continue expanding support for victims and maintaining Ontario County's reputation as a safe place to live and raise a family. Jason MacBride (Challenger) Currently serves as an Assistant County Attorney, prosecuting juvenile cases and advising child protection investigations. Has 21 years of prosecutorial experience, including felony cases such as homicides and child abuse. Formerly worked in both the Monroe and Ontario County DA's Offices. In his statement, MacBride emphasized restoring "ethical and effective leadership" and wrote: 'I lead by example through hard work, ingenuity, and partnering with others to best serve victims.' To verify your registration, party enrollment, or polling location, visit: Ontario County Voter Info Center NY State Voter Lookup Or call the Ontario County Board of Elections at 585-396-4005. Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy. Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who edited our Weld Street Project and also did reporting for it. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@ This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Ontario County GOP voters to decide DA primary June 24: What to know
