Bernard Kerik, former NYPD commissioner and 9/11 figure, passed away on May 29, 2025, at the age of 69. As a key leader during the September 11 attacks, Bernard Kerik’s role as former NYPD commissioner and 9/11 figure made him a central figure in New York’s emergency response.
Before becoming the former NYPD commissioner and 9/11 figure recognized worldwide, Bernard Kerik built a distinguished career in law enforcement, rising through the ranks of the NYPD.
As the former NYPD commissioner and 9/11 figure, Bernard Kerik’s leadership was vital during the September 11 attacks, coordinating rescue efforts and ensuring public safety under extreme pressure.
Kerik became nationally known for his leadership during a time of crisis. Later in life, however, he faced legal and ethical controversies that tarnished his public image.
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Early Life and Rise Through the Ranks
Born on September 4, 1955, in Newark, New Jersey, Bernard Bailey Kerik grew up in Paterson. He dropped out of high school before joining the U.S. Army in 1974, serving as a military police officer in South Korea.
After returning to the U.S., he worked as a security officer in Saudi Arabia. In 1986, he joined the New York Police Department and rose quickly through the ranks. His close relationship with then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani helped fuel his rise. Kerik served as Giuliani’s bodyguard during the 1993 mayoral campaign and later became Correction Commissioner in 1997, then NYPD Commissioner in 2000—despite having no college degree.
Leading New York During the 9/11 Attacks
Kerik’s leadership during the September 11 attacks brought him national acclaim. He worked closely with Giuliani to coordinate emergency response efforts at Ground Zero. His performance during the tragedy earned him several awards, including honorary recognition from the British government.
Legal Troubles and Fall from Grace
After leaving the NYPD, Kerik found success as a global security consultant. In 2004, President George W. Bush nominated him to head the Department of Homeland Security. However, the nomination was withdrawn after Kerik admitted to hiring an undocumented nanny and failing to pay taxes.
Further investigations revealed deeper ethical violations. He had accepted expensive apartment renovations from a contractor linked to organized crime. In 2009, Kerik pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges, including tax fraud and lying to federal officials. He served three years in prison. Authorities later removed his name from a Manhattan jail once named in his honor.
Political Reemergence and Controversy
In 2020, then-President Donald Trump granted Kerik a full pardon. Kerik became an outspoken defender of Trump, claiming widespread interference in the 2020 election. He later became involved in the January 6 Capitol investigation, submitting documents that connected him to election-overturn efforts.
Personal Life and Legacy
Kerik was married three times and fathered four children. While stationed in South Korea during the 1970s, he also fathered a daughter whom he did not raise—a decision he later expressed regret over in his memoir.
He wrote several books, including a thriller and an autobiography. Reflecting on his life, Kerik once said, “I made some big mistakes, and they caught up with me. But I still think that my triumphs during my 30-year career overshadow the misjudgments.”
Bernard Kerik, former NYPD commissioner and 9/11 figure, leaves behind a profound impact on law enforcement and the city of New York.
