Former NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerick was remembered as a “fearless” chief who helped New Yorkers move by means of essentially the most married days of terrorist assaults on September 11 Before his death on Thursday.
The previous magic. COP, 69, died surrounded by a heartfelt household after a high-profile profession in regulation enforcement, which had its triumphs and disputes.
“He grew to become a police commissioner after they thought crime couldn’t be diminished extra, however he nonetheless diminished him. His work helped New York change into essentially the most safe massive metropolis in America and an excellent instance of an city renaissance,” former mayor Rudy Giuliani mentioned in a press release.
“Then he encountered the oldest overseas assault after the 1812 conflict on American soil -September eleventh. He was on my facet inside 20 minutes of the assault and by no means left.”
“Bernie’s management has helped lead individuals from a really frightened metropolis to attract from their inherent particular person energy as Individuals and kids of God,” added Giuliani, who appointed a Kerick police commissioner in 2000.
It served for about 16 months within the lead.
“Bernie often is the most insignificant individual I do know,” Giuliani advised The Publish on Thursday evening.
“When he was a police commissioner, he personally made arrests. Are you aware what he did for morality? The cops beloved him. I beloved him. The general public beloved him.”
Mayor Eric Adams mentioned in a press release that he had visited Kerick on the hospital on Thursday afternoon, calling him a buddy who has been recognized for nearly 30 years.
“He was along with his family members, who’re in my prayers tonight,” Adams mentioned. “He was an incredible New Yorker and an American. Relaxation in peace, my buddy.”
Kerick started as a NYPD cop in 1986, earlier than leaving the ability to hitch the Metropolis Division of Modification, declared his commissioner 4 years later by Giuliani.
The previous mayor mentioned in his interview on Thursday that Kerick had distinguished himself in limiting the violence on Rickers throughout his title.
“60 minutes made a chunk known as Rickers Island The Youngest Jail in America,” he mentioned. “They returned 5 years later when Bernie was in cost and couldn’t consider the reverse they noticed.”
Guardian Angels Curtis Sliwa founder mentioned he labored with Kerik to assist protect New Yorkers.
“I keep in mind Bernie when he was an undercover cop at Instances Sq.. He had horsetail,” mentioned Sliva, who was working for mayor as a Republican. “He was an affordable affordable. He was a road cop. He was a cop’s cop.”
President of Staton Island Vito Fosella known as Kerick a “actual patriot”.
“Bernie Kerick serves our metropolis and nation, effectively,” he mentioned. “He was an actual patriot, particularly throughout and after 11 September.”
Those that knew him personally described him as a loyal supporter and a household man.
“In public, he had a tough exterior. He privately honored his household, spouse and kids, cops, and he was at all times with me and my household,” Katie Vigiano, retired cop and widow of Hero Det. mentioned Joseph Vigiano.
The nationwide figures additionally poured into their condolences to Kerick’s family members.
“Heartencies for the lack of our pricey buddy Bernie Kerick,” US Prosecutor Pam Bondi Common Tweet. “Prayers to Bernie’s household and plenty of associates.”
FBI Director Kash Patel known as Kerick “Soldier, Patriot, and one of many smallest civil servants that this nation ever knew.”
“His heritage isn’t solely in medals or titles, however within the life he saved, town by which he helped to revive, and the nation by which he served with honor,” Patel mentioned.
Whereas Kerick had a outstanding profession in regulation enforcement, together with the pinnacle of momentary police forces in Iraq after the US invasion of the Center East in 2003, he later served 4 years within the federal jail when he pleaded responsible to eight federal crimes, together with tax evasion, in 2009.
Extra reporting from Larry Village.
