Rudy Giuliani, who served as mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001, mourned the death of the former police commissioner of the New York City, Bernard “Bernie” Kerik on Thursday and described the sorrow of losing his “best friend” and a “true Patriot” as “unspreakable”.
Kerik died at the age of 69 “after a private struggle with illness,” said FBI director Kash Patel.
Kerik and Giuliani were prominent figures during and after 11 September 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City because of their leadership roles in the city, and they soon became good friends.
“On September 11, Bernie Kerik and I saved each other’s lives. If we were not yet friends, we tied us together forever. He was my best friend, a real patriot and one of the bravest men I have ever known,” Giuliani wrote in a statement.
Bernard Kerik, former police commissioner of New York and 9/11 Figure, dies on 69
Former mayor of NYC Rudy Giuliani (right) mourned for the death of Bernie Kerik, former NYPD commissioner and his best friend, on Thursday in a long explanation that describes his grief as ‘unspeakable’. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty images)
Giuliani said that Kerik was on his side “within 20 minutes after the attack” stood on 9/11 and “never left”.
The first collapse caught both in a building for what Giuliani thinks was 20 to 30 minutes, but they could safely escape with “substantial extra help” and “extraordinary courage” – an attitude that Giuliani said “penetrated” for recovery in the next four months.
“Bernie’s leadership helped guide the people of a very frightened city to draw on their inherent individual power like Americans and children of God,” Giuliani said Thursday.
He also praised Kerik’s career in law enforcement, specifically on his role as Rikers Island’s commissioner, where he was able to reduce violence in prison by 90%, and his role as a NYPD commissioner, where he reduced crime in the city.
“He was driven by a relentless love for this country and a dedication to serve others. He was one of the most decorated police officers in New York City of his time,” he said.
Mayor Rudy Giuliani (Center) from New York is flanked by the police commissioner Bernard Kerik (right) of the New York and the mayor of the mayor of emergency management director Richard Scheirer (left), before he dedicates a public viewing platform with a view of the location of the World Trade City City attacks in New York City. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)
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Kerik’s 35-year career has been recognized with more than 100 prizes for deserving and heroic service, including a presidential praise for heroism by President Ronald Reagan and two Distinguished Service Awards of the Department of Homeland Security.
He was considered for the role of Homeland Security Chief in 2004, but lied against the White House during the check, which ultimately led him to be guilty of eight crimes, including tax fraud, in 2009. He spent about three years in prison, then moved to house improvement and, later, supervised.
President Donald Trump granted him of the convictions in 2020.
Kerik is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son, who is also a “brave and accomplished” police officer, Giuliani said. (Mireya Success/Getty Images)
Kerik worked again with Giuliani to investigate Claims of election fraud After the presidential elections of 2020.
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Giuliani expressed his participation in Kerik’s wife, his two daughters and his son – who are also a police officer – and said he believes that all the friends and admirers of Kerik are “much better to know him.”
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten from Fox News Digital and Andrea Margolis have contributed to this report.
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