Bernard Kerik, the former commissioner of the New York Police Department, passed away on Thursday in Manhattan. He was 67 years old. Kerik was appointed to lead the NYPD by Mayor Rudy Giuliani in August 2000, a choice that sparked debate due to his quick rise through the ranks and his lack of a college degree.
Kerik gained national attention for his leadership during the September 11 attacks in 2001. He was at the center of the chaos, alongside Giuliani, as they faced the aftermath of the attacks. His response during that tragic time made him a prominent figure in the nation’s law enforcement community.
In 2003, Kerik was appointed by President George W. Bush as the acting interior minister for Iraq’s provisional authority during the Iraq War. However, his career faced setbacks when he was nominated in 2004 to be the second secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. He withdrew his nomination after a week due to issues surrounding his hiring of an undocumented immigrant as a housekeeper.
Kerik’s reputation took a significant hit in 2009 when he pleaded guilty to multiple counts of tax fraud and making false statements to federal authorities. He was sentenced to four years in prison in 2010 but was released in 2013 after serving time and completing additional home confinement.
In a surprising turn, President Donald Trump pardoned Kerik in early 2020. Following his release, Kerik returned to work with Giuliani, assisting with post-election litigation after the 2020 presidential election. He was later named as one of 34 unindicted co-conspirators in the ongoing investigations related to Trump and his associates.
Kerik’s life was marked by both significant achievements and serious controversies, making him a complex figure in American law enforcement history. His passing marks the end of a chapter for a man who was once at the forefront of national security and law enforcement.