**Bernard Kerik, Former NYC Police Commissioner, Passes Away at 69**

Bernard Kerik, best known for his leadership as New York City's police commissioner during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, has died at the age of 69. The New York Police Department announced his passing on Thursday via social media. According to FBI Director Kash Patel, Kerik succumbed to an illness he had been privately battling.

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who appointed Kerik as police commissioner in 2000, shared an emotional tribute on his show. "We've been together since the beginning. He's like my brother," Giuliani expressed tearfully. "I was a better man for having known Bernie. I certainly was a braver and stronger man."

Kerik, an Army veteran and a decorated police officer, initially rose to national prominence during the traumatic events of September 11, 2001. His career, however, was later marred by legal issues. In 2010, he pleaded guilty to federal tax fraud and false statement charges, partly related to over $250,000 in apartment renovations he received. These charges ultimately led him to serve three years in prison. Despite the fall from grace, Kerik's fortunes changed when President Donald Trump granted him a pardon in 2020.

During his time as police commissioner, Kerik became a symbol of resilience and bravery, as he worked tirelessly in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. In his 2015 book, "From Jailer to Jailed," he reflected on his experiences, stating he wished the attacks had never occurred but took solace in doing the best he could under the circumstances.

Apart from his role during 9/11, Kerik was also involved in international efforts. In 2003, President George W. Bush appointed him to help organize Iraq's police force. In 2004, he was nominated to head the U.S. Department of Homeland Security but withdrew his nomination due to concerns about the immigration status of a domestic employee.

Kerik’s career began in Paterson, New Jersey, where he dropped out of Eastside High School, a troubled institution later depicted in the 1989 film "Lean on Me." He joined the Army as a military policeman stationed in South Korea before moving into private security in Saudi Arabia. Eventually, he returned to the U.S. to supervise a jail in New Jersey and joined the NYPD in the late 1980s. By the 1990s, he was tasked with overseeing New York's notorious Riker's Island complex.

Throughout his career, Kerik was recognized more than 100 times for his bravery, valor, and service. Kash Patel called him "a warrior, a patriot, and one of the most courageous public servants this country has ever known." Patel praised Kerik's legacy, not only for his accolades but for the lives he saved, the city he helped rebuild, and his honorable service to the country.