Former NYC Mayor Giuliani remembers finest buddy Bernie Kerik as 'true patriot'

[ad_1] Rudy Giuliani, who served as mayor of New York Metropolis from 1994 to 2001, mourned the loss of life of former New York Metropolis Police Division Commissioner Bernard "Bernie" Kerik on Thursday, describing the grief of shedding his "finest buddy" and a "true patriot" as "inexpressible."

Kerik died at 69 years previous "after a personal battle with sickness," in line with FBI Director Kash Patel.

Kerik and Giuliani had been distinguished figures throughout and after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist assaults in New York City as a result of their management roles within the metropolis, and so they rapidly turned shut associates.

"On September eleventh, Bernie Kerik and I saved one another's lives. If we weren't already associates, that certain us collectively perpetually. He was my finest buddy, a real Patriot, and one of many bravest males I've ever recognized," Giuliani wrote in a press release.

BERNARD KERIK, FORMER NEW YORK POLICE COMMISSIONER AND 9/11 FIGURE, DIES AT 69

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani (proper) mourned the loss of life of Bernie Kerik, former NYPD commissioner and his finest buddy, on Thursday in an extended assertion describing his grief as "inexpressible." (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Pictures)

Giuliani mentioned Kerik was at his aspect "inside 20 minutes of the assault" on 9/11 and "by no means left."

The primary collapse trapped each of them in a constructing for what Giuliani thinks was 20 to half-hour, however they had been capable of escape safely with "substantial extra help" and "extraordinary bravery" – an perspective that Giuliani mentioned "permeated the way in which" for restoration over the subsequent 4 months.

"Bernie's management helped information the folks of a really frightened metropolis to attract from their inherent particular person energy as People and youngsters of God," Giuliani mentioned on Thursday.

He additionally praised Kerik's career in law enforcement, particularly declaring his position as Commissioner of Rikers Island, the place he was capable of cut back violence within the jail by 90%, and his position as NYPD commissioner, the place he lowered crime within the metropolis.

"He was pushed by an unwavering love of this nation and a dedication to serving others. He was some of the adorned New York Metropolis law enforcement officials of his time," he mentioned.

New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (heart) is flanked by New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik (proper) and the Mayor's Workplace of Emergency Administration Director Richard Scheirer (left), earlier than dedicating a public viewing platform overlooking the positioning of the World Commerce Heart assaults in New York Metropolis on Dec. 29, 2001. (AP Photograph/Kathy Willens, File)

FORMER NYPD COMMISSIONER CALLS ON POLITICAL LEADERS TO 'GET OUT THERE' AND 'DEESCALATE' VIOLENCE

Kerik's 35-year profession has been acknowledged with greater than 100 awards for meritorious and heroic service, together with a presidential commendation for heroism by President Ronald Reagan and two Distinguished Service Awards from the Division of Homeland Safety.

He was thought of for the position of Homeland Safety chief in 2004, however lied to the White Home throughout vetting, which finally led to him pleading responsible to eight felonies, together with tax fraud, in 2009. He spent about three years in jail, then moved to residence confinement and, later, supervised launch.

President Donald Trump pardoned him of the convictions in 2020.

Kerik is survived by his spouse, two daughters and one son, who can also be a "courageous and achieved" police officer, Giuliani mentioned. (Mireya Acierto/Getty Pictures)

Kerik labored with Giuliani once more to analyze claims of election fraud following the 2020 presidential election.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Giuliani expressed his condolences to Kerik's spouse, his two daughters and his son – who can also be a police officer – and mentioned he believes all of Kerik's associates and admirers are "significantly better for realizing him."