Bernard Kerik, the former NYPD commissioner renowned for his leadership during the September attacks, has died at age 69 after a private battle with illness Kerik, appointed by then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani, became a national figure for guiding the city’s police force through its darkest days and later served in Iraq under President George W. Bush.
Kerik’s career was marked by both high achievement and controversy. After his celebrated tenure as commissioner, he pleaded guilty to federal tax fraud and other charges related to accepting unreported apartment renovations from a construction company, serving three years in prison before being pardoned by President Donald Trump in 2020 His rapid rise through the NYPD ranks and subsequent fall from grace made headlines for years.
Tributes have poured in from across the country. Rudy Giuliani, visibly emotional, described Kerik as “like a brother,” crediting him for his own courage and strength during their time together Current Mayor Eric Adams also expressed condolences, recalling a final hospital visit with Kerik before his passing.
Kerik is survived by his wife, children, and a legacy that continues to spark debate—remembered as both “America’s Cop” and a cautionary tale of public service and personal downfall.
