Bernard Kerik, former New York police commissioner and 9/11 figure, dies at 69

Bernie Kerik, the erstwhile New York City constabulary commissioner who was hailed arsenic a leader aft 9/11, has died astatine 69 years old.

His decease was announced by FBI Director Kash Patel connected Thursday night, who wrote that Kerik "passed distant aft a backstage conflict with illness."

"Rest easy, Commissioner. Your ticker has ended, but your interaction volition ne'er fade," Patel wrote.

Kerik’s emergence to nationalist prominence came during the September 11, 2001, violent attacks, wherever helium became a dependable fig alongside then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani. 

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Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, with US President George W. Bush (L), addresses the media connected the South Lawn of the White House earlier President Bush's departure to Milwaukee, Wisconsin connected October 3, 2003 successful Washington, D.C. (MANNY CENETA/AFP via Getty Images)

Kerik worked to coordinate exigency effect successful the aftermath of the illness of the World Trade Center.

His 35-year vocation has been recognized successful much than 100 awards for meritorious and heroic service, including a statesmanlike commendation for heroism by President Ronald Reagan and two Distinguished Service Awards from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 

New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik talking to constabulary officers successful Times Square, New York City, 2001.  (Michael Brennan/Getty Images)

Kerik, who served arsenic the NYPD's apical bull from 2000 to 2001, pleaded blameworthy successful 2009 to eight felonies, including taxation fraud and lying to the White House portion being vetted for the relation of Homeland Security main successful 2004.

He spent astir 3 years successful situation earlier transitioning to location confinement and yet supervised release. In 2020, President Donald Trump pardoned Kerik for his past convictions.

Former NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik and erstwhile NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani get for the ceremonial of NYPD serviceman Jonathan Diller astatine St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church connected March 30, 2024 successful Massapequa, New York.  (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Following his merchandise from prison, Kerik was a vocal professional of the transgression justness strategy and a staunch state of Trump. 

Kerik aboriginal worked with Giuliani to analyse claims of predetermination fraud aft the 2020 predetermination and was subpoenaed by the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riots.

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Bernie Kerik attends AOL BUILD Speaker Series: Former NYC Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik discusses his publication "From Jailer to Jailed" astatine AOL Studios In New York connected April 6, 2015 successful New York City.   (Mireya Acierto/Getty Images)

Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik astatine his bureau successful 1 Police Plaza. (Budd Williams/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)

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Born successful Newark, New Jersey, successful 1955, Kerik dropped retired of precocious schoolhouse but aboriginal earned his GED earlier joining the U.S. Army.

After returning to civilian life, helium entered instrumentality enforcement and roseate done the ranks, yet starring the city’s Department of Correction. In 2000, helium was appointed NYPD commissioner by Giuliani.

Fox News Digital's Ronn Blitzer contributed to this report.