Former NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik was remembered as a “fearless” chief who helped New Yorkers get via the darkest days of the 9/11 terror assaults earlier than his dying Thursday.
The ex-Large Apple high cop, 69, died surrounded by household from a heart-related situation following a high-profile profession in legislation enforcement that had its triumphs and controversies.
“He became police commissioner when they thought crime couldn’t be reduced any further, yet he reduced it further. His work helped New York become the safest big city in America and a shining example of urban renaissance,” former mayor Rudy Giuliani stated in an announcement.
“Then he faced the worst foreign attack since the war of 1812 on American soil—September 11th. He was at my side within 20 minutes of the attack and never left.”
“Bernie’s leadership helped guide the people of a very frightened city to draw from their inherent individual strength as Americans and children of God,” added Giuliani, who appointed Kerik police commissioner in 2000.
He served about 16 months within the management function.
“Bernie could be the most fearless guy I know,” Giuliani additionally informed The Put up Thursday evening.
“When he was police commissioner, he personally made arrests. You know what that did for morale? The cops loved it. I loved it. The public loved it.”
Mayor Eric Adams stated in an announcement that he visited Kerik on the hospital Thursday afternoon, calling him a pal he’s recognized for nearly 30 years.
“He was with his loved ones, who are in my prayers tonight,” Adams stated. “He was a great New Yorker and American. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Kerik began out as an NYPD cop in 1986 earlier than he left the pressure to hitch the town’s Division of Correction, being named its commissioner 4 years later by Giuliani.
The previous mayor stated in his Thursday interview that Kerik excelled at curbing violence at Rikers Island throughout his stint in cost.
“60 Minutes did a piece calling Rikers Island the worst jail complex in America,” he stated. “They came back five years later when Bernie was in charge and they couldn’t believe the turnaround they saw.”
Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa stated he labored with Kerik to assist hold New Yorkers protected.
“I remember Bernie when he was an undercover cop in Times Square. He had a ponytail,” Sliwa, who’s working for mayor as a Republican, stated. “He was street savvy. He was a street cop. He was a cop’s cop.”
Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella known as Kerik a “true patriot.”
“Bernie Kerik served our city and nation, well,” he stated. “He was a true patriot, especially during and after September 11th.”
Those that knew him personally described him as a loyal supporter and household man.
“In public, he had a tough exterior. Privately, he cherished his family, wife and kids, cops and he was always there for me and my family,” Kathy Vigiano, a retired cop and widow of 9/11 hero Det. Joseph Vigiano stated.
Nationwide figures additionally poured of their condolences to Kerik’s family members.
“Heartbroken about the loss of our dear friend Bernie Kerik,” US Legal professional Normal Pam Bondi tweeted. “Prayers to Bernie’s family and many friends.”
FBI Director Kash Patel known as Kerik “a warrior, a patriot, and one of the most courageous public servants this country has ever known.”
“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,” Patel stated.
Whereas Kerik had a outstanding profession in legislation enforcement, together with heading up a provisional police pressure in Iraq following the US invasion of the Center Jap nation in 2003, he later served 4 years in federal jail when he pleaded responsible to eight federal felonies, together with tax evasion, in 2009.
Extra reporting by Larry Celona.
