Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani broke down in tears remembering ex-NYPD Commissioner Bernie Kerik, who died on Thursday at age 69.
“We’ve been together since the beginning. He’s like my brother,” Giuliani mentioned on his “America’s Mayor Live” podcast after Kerik’s loss of life was introduced. “I was a better man for having known Bernie. I certainly was a braver and stronger man.”
Earlier this month, Kerik was hospitalized with an unspecified sickness from which he was anticipated to recuperate. Giuliani mentioned he had deliberate to go to his previous pal on Saturday and regrets not doing so earlier.
“I feel like I should’ve been with him,” the choked-up Brooklyn native advised listeners.
Kerik was appointed by Giuliani to function police commissioner in 2000. Giuliani recalled the occasions he spent with the highest cop, which included combating crime in New York Metropolis and shifting the town ahead after the 9/11 terror assaults.
“He was at my side within 20 minutes of the attack and never left,” Giuliani mentioned in a press release.
On his podcast, the previous mayor additionally praised his longtime good friend for his “honesty and integrity,” claiming Kerik was focused by “lawfare” when he served practically 4 years in jail for tax fraud.
Giuliani grew to become more and more emotional recalling Kerik’s service to legislation enforcement within the U.S. and abroad through the Iraq Conflict, in addition to their work collectively within the personal sector.
“I’ve gone through difficult times, right, and I found out who my friends were,” he confessed. “Bernie was there for every single thing.”
The tears began flowing when Giuliani as soon as once more mentioned he wished he’d been at Kerik’s bedside when he died.
“I wish I was there for you Bernie, you were always there for me,” he sobbed earlier than saying a prayer.
“The last words I heard from him was in a whisper: ‘I love you, boss,’” Giuliani mentioned. “I am completely heartbroken by his passing. The comforting aspect is I know he is with God and he is no longer in pain.”
Kerik is survived by his spouse, Hala Kerik, and his three youngsters, Celine, Angelina and Joseph.
Initially Revealed: Could 30, 2025 at 2:17 PM EDT
