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Bernard "Bernie" Kerik, the former New York City police commissioner who rose to national prominence in the wake of the September 11 attacks, died Thursday night at the age of 69.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced his death on X, writing, “Today, we mourn the loss of Bernard B. Kerik, a warrior, a patriot, and one of the most courageous public servants this country has ever known. Bernie passed away tragically on May 29, 2025, after a private battle with illness. With over forty years of service in law enforcement and national security, he dedicated his life to protecting the American people.”
“As the 40th Police Commissioner of New York City, Bernie led with strength and resolve in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, guiding the NYPD through one of the darkest chapters in our nation’s history. 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. 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.”
He concluded, "Rest easy, Commissioner. Your watch has ended, but your impact will never fade."
Kerick was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1955. He dropped out of high school, earned his GED, and served in the US Army. Upon returning to civilian life, he started a career in law enforcement, and eventually became head of New York City's Department of Corrections.
In 2000, Kerik was appointed commissioner of the New York Police Department by then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani. In 2001, he gained name recognition nationally for coordinating emergency efforts in the response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
His awards included a Presidential Commendation for Heroism from President Ronald Reagan and two Distinguished Service Awards from the US Department of Homeland Security.
However, in 2009, he pleaded guilty to eight felony charges, including tax fraud and making false statements during a vetting process for a cabinet position under President George W. Bush. He served nearly three years in federal prison, later transitioning to home confinement and supervised release. In 2020, President Donald Trump issued Kerick a full pardon.
After his release, Kerik became a critic of the criminal justice system. He also worked with Giuliani to investigate claims of election fraud following the 2020 presidential election. Kerick was later subpoenaed by the House committee investigating the riot at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
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