Bernard Kerik, the hard-charging former NYPD commissioner who rose to national prominence for his leadership during the September 11 attacks, died Thursday at New York-Presbyterian Hospital after a battle with cardiac disease. He was 69 and surrounded by family and close friends at the time of his passing.
Kerik’s life was marked by triumphs, tribulations, and unwavering dedication to public service. Appointed by then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani in 2000, Kerik led the NYPD during one of its most pivotal eras, overseeing a dramatic 63% drop in violent crime and guiding the city through the darkest hours of 9/11.
Often dubbed the “beat cop commissioner” for his hands-on style, Kerik made five arrests during his 16-month tenure, including collaring two ex-convicts in Harlem while on duty. His no-nonsense approach and tireless work ethic earned him the nickname “America’s Cop.”
“His legacy is not just in the medals or the titles,” said longtime friend and FBI Director Kash Patel, “but in the lives he saved, the city he helped rebuild, and the country he served with honor.”
Mayor Eric Adams, a fellow former NYPD officer and friend of nearly three decades, paid tribute Thursday. “He was a great New Yorker and American,” Adams said. “It was just this afternoon that I stopped by the hospital to see Bernie before his passing. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Born on September 4, 1955, in Newark, New Jersey, Kerik served in the U.S. Army before joining the NYPD in 1986. His rise was meteoric: from beat cop to Correction Commissioner in 1998, and then NYPD Commissioner two years later.
Following the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, President George W. Bush tapped him to build a provisional police force in post-war Iraq. A year later, Bush nominated him to lead the Department of Homeland Security, but Kerik withdrew after admitting to hiring an undocumented nanny, a revelation that snowballed into wider legal woes.
In 2009, Kerik pleaded guilty to eight federal felonies, including tax fraud and making false statements. He served four years in federal prison and was pardoned by President Donald Trump in 2020.
Despite his fall from grace, Kerik remained a prominent voice in conservative law enforcement circles, serving as a Trump surrogate on crime and national security issues during the 2024 election cycle. He was also subpoenaed in relation to the January 6 Capitol investigation for Trump-era documents.
Throughout his career, Kerik was decorated with numerous honors, including the NYPD Medal for Valor, 29 departmental awards for excellence, and a Presidential Commendation from Ronald Reagan.
“His place in history is secure,” said Bruce Teitelbaum, Giuliani’s former chief of staff. “He was a tough guy who made an impact and served our city well.”
Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels and former mayoral candidate, echoed the sentiment: “He was a cop’s cop.”
Behind the scenes, Kerik was known for his devotion to family and fellow officers. “In public, he had a tough exterior,” said retired officer Kathy Vigiano, widow of 9/11 hero Detective Joseph Vigiano. “Privately, he cherished his family, his wife and kids. He was always there for me and my family.”
Kerik is survived by his wife, Hala Matli Kerik, and three children, including his son Joe, who continues the family tradition as a member of the Newark SWAT team.
A complex figure who straddled heroism and scandal, Bernard Kerik leaves behind a legacy etched into the very fabric of New York City’s modern history.
