Bernard Kerik, the fearless NYPD commissioner who led New York City through the 9/11 horror, died Thursday at 69, as the New York Post reports. His heart gave out at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, surrounded by loved ones. The man dubbed “America’s Cop” leaves a legacy that progressives can’t erase.
Kerik, born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1955, served in the U.S. Army before joining the NYPD in 1986, later becoming its 40th commissioner under Mayor Rudy Giuliani in 2000. His 16-month tenure saw violent crime plummet 63%, proving that tough-on-crime policies work. Unlike today’s soft-on-crime crowd, Kerik’s hands-on style earned him the “beat cop commissioner” moniker, with five arrests, including nabbing two ex-cons in a stolen van.
On Sept. 11, 2001, Kerik stood tall, guiding the NYPD through rescue, recovery, and investigation efforts as the Twin Towers fell. “A true patriot,” Giuliani called him, noting Kerik was at his side within 20 minutes of the attack. While woke critics nitpick his flaws, Kerik’s courage under fire defined him.
Kerik’s law enforcement career spanned four decades, from NYPD to national security roles. In 1994, he joined the Department of Corrections, becoming its commissioner in 1998 under Giuliani. His no-nonsense approach made New York safer, a lesson lost on today’s defund-the-police advocates.
In 2003, President George W. Bush tapped Kerik to lead Iraq’s provisional police force in the wake of the initial invasion, a role demanding grit in chaos. Kerik founded Kerik Group, a crisis management firm, showcasing his expertise beyond the badge. His resume screams competence, unlike the bureaucratic fluff clogging modern government.
Bush nominated Kerik in 2004 to head the Department of Homeland Security, but Kerik withdrew after admitting to employing an unauthorized migrant nanny. Actions have consequences, a principle Kerik owned up to, unlike some politicians who dodge accountability. In 2006, he pleaded guilty to ethics violations tied to the nanny issue.
In 2009, Kerik faced harsher scrutiny, pleading guilty to eight federal felonies, including charges of tax evasion on a $255,000 home repair gift and of false statements during his Homeland Security nomination. He served four years in prison, paying the price for his mistakes. Contrast that with the elite who skate free today.
President Donald Trump pardoned Kerik in 2020, recognizing that his service outweighed his errors. “A warrior, a patriot,” said FBI Director Kash Patel, praising Kerik’s 40 years protecting Americans. The pardon wasn’t a free pass; it was justice for a man who had already atoned.
Kerik’s post-prison life included testifying before Congress about the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol unrests and serving as a 2024 Trump surrogate on crime and security. His voice cut through the woke noise, advocating for law and order. Kerik never backed down, even when he was subpoenaed for Trump administration documents.
Kerik’s awards speak volumes: the NYPD Medal for Valor, 29 NYPD medals, and a Presidential Commendation from Reagan. “His legacy is in the lives he saved,” Patel said, highlighting Kerik’s 9/11 leadership. Medals don’t lie, even if progressive revisionists try to tarnish them.
“A tough guy,” said Bruce Teitelbaum, capturing Kerik’s fearless persona. Yet, Kathy Vigiano noted his softer side, cherishing family and cops. The contrast reveals a man who balanced strength with heart, a rarity in today’s polarized world.
Kerik is survived by his wife, Hala Matil Kerik, and three children, including son Joe, a 41-year-old Newark SWAT team member. Joe carries his father’s torch, serving with the same grit. Family mattered to Kerik, a value the left often mocks.
“He reduced crime further,” Giuliani said, crediting Kerik with making New York the safest big city. That’s not hyperbole; it’s data the woke crowd ignores. Kerik’s policies saved lives, plain and simple.
Mayor Eric Adams, a former cop himself, called Kerik “a great New Yorker” after visiting him hours before his death. “Rest in peace, my friend,” Adams said, a sentiment echoing across the city. Even in a divided era, Kerik’s impact unites those who value safety.
“A cop’s cop,” Curtis Sliwa declared, summing up Kerik’s street-level loyalty. The Finest’s X post mourned his passing, offering condolences to his family. Bernard Kerik’s story -- flawed, fearless, and fiercely patriotic -- stands as a rebuke to those who would rather defund than defend.
