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Former NYC Mayor Giuliani remembers best friend Bernie Kerik as 'true patriot': 'Much better for knowing him'
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Rudy Giuliani, who served as mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001, mourned the death of former New York City Police Department Commissioner Bernard “Bernie” Kerik on Thursday, describing the grief of losing his “best friend” and a “true patriot” as “inexpressible.”
Kerik died at 69 years old “after a private battle with illness,” according to FBI Director Kash Patel.
Kerik and Giuliani were prominent figures during and after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City due to their leadership roles in the city, and they quickly became close friends.
“On September 11th, Bernie Kerik and I saved each other’s lives. If we weren’t already friends, that bound us together forever. He was my best friend, a true Patriot, and one of the bravest men I’ve ever known,” Giuliani wrote in a statement.
BERNARD KERIK, FORMER NEW YORK POLICE COMMISSIONER AND 9/11 FIGURE, DIES AT 69
Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani (right) mourned the death of Bernie Kerik, former NYPD commissioner and his best friend, on Thursday in a long statement describing his grief as “inexpressible.” (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Giuliani said Kerik was at his side “within 20 minutes of the attack” on 9/11 and “never left.”
The first collapse trapped both of them in a building for what Giuliani thinks was 20 to 30 minutes, but they were able to escape safely with “substantial additional assistance” and “extraordinary bravery” – an attitude that Giuliani said “permeated the way” for recovery over the next four months.
“Bernie’s leadership helped guide the people of a very frightened city to draw from their inherent individual strength as Americans and children of God,” Giuliani said on Thursday.
He also praised Kerik’s career in law enforcement, specifically pointing out his role as Commissioner of Rikers Island, where he was able to reduce violence in the prison by 90%, and his role as NYPD commissioner, where he reduced crime in the city.
“He was driven by an unwavering love of this country and a commitment to serving others. He was one of the most decorated New York City police officers of his time,” he said.
New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (center) is flanked by New York Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik (right) and the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management Director Richard Scheirer (left), before dedicating a public viewing platform overlooking the site of the World Trade Center attacks in New York City on Dec. 29, 2001. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)
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Kerik’s 35-year career has been recognized with more than 100 awards for meritorious and heroic service, including a presidential commendation for heroism by President Ronald Reagan and two Distinguished Service Awards from the Department of Homeland Security.
He was considered for the role of Homeland Security chief in 2004, but lied to the White House during vetting, which ultimately led to him pleading guilty to eight felonies, including tax fraud, in 2009. He spent about three years in prison, then moved to home confinement and, later, supervised release.
President Donald Trump pardoned him of the convictions in 2020.
Kerik is survived by his wife, two daughters and one son, who is also a “brave and accomplished” police officer, Giuliani said. (Mireya Acierto/Getty Images)
Kerik worked with Giuliani again to investigate claims of election fraud following the 2020 presidential election.
Giuliani expressed his condolences to Kerik’s wife, his two daughters and his son – who is also a police officer – and said he believes all of Kerik’s friends and admirers are “much better for knowing him.”
Fox News Digital’s Sarah Rumpf-Whitten and Andrea Margolis contributed to this report.
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Bronx | 305 East 140th Street, No. 5A
Mott Haven Loft
$1.35 million
A two-bedroom, one-bath, 1,981-square-foot condo with an open floor plan, bamboo and granite countertops, a den/home office, original hardwood floors and a basement storage cage. The unit is on the top floor of a five-story former factory from 1901 that has a virtual intercom, a super, shared laundry and a bike room. Tano Holmes and Victor Banks, Century 21; century21.com
Costs
Common charges: $1,456 a month
Taxes: $9,240 a year
Pro
In-unit washer/dryers are permitted and an area near the kitchen can accommodate a laundry room or second bathroom. The ceilings reach 12 feet. The building is eco-friendly and has solar panels to reduce electricity costs.
Cons
It’s a big space to cool with window unit air-conditioning.
Manhattan | 467 Central Park West, No. 12F
Manhattan Valley Condo
$1.75 million
A two-bedroom, two-bath, 1,152-square-foot apartment that has a windowed kitchen with a pass-through to a breakfast bar, an open floor plan, a primary suite, a second bedroom with a walk-in closet, a windowed bath, built-ins, a decorative fireplace and wide-plank oak floors. It’s on the 12th floor of a 17-story prewar doorman building that has a live-in superintendent, a bike room, shared laundry and a waiting list for extra storage. Jed Lewin, The Agency; theagencyre.com
Costs
Common charges: $1,350 a month
Taxes: $1,098 a month
Assessment: $374 a month through January 2028, for updates to the building’s exterior
Pros
The kitchen has two windows, a six-burner range and ample counter space. The view includes Central Park and Billionaire’s Row.
Cons
In-unit washer/dryers are not permitted.
Manhattan | 146 E 49th Street, No. 2B
Turtle Bay Co-op
$715,000
A two-bedroom, one-bath, roughly 940-square-foot apartment that has a windowed eat-in kitchen, an open living/dining area, a windowed bathroom and original hardwood floors. It’s on the second floor of a 10-story building by Emory Roth with a live-in super and shared laundry. Laura Cook and Adam Wolfe, Keller Williams NYC; kwnyc.com
Costs
Maintenance: $2,583 a month
Pros
Use as a pied-à-terre, subletting after two years of residency and an in-unit washer/dryer are permitted with board approval.
Cons
The view consists of only nearby buildings. The second bedroom does not have a closet. The building lacks a bike room and there’s a waiting list for basement storage cages.
Given the fast pace of the current market, some properties may no longer be available at the time of publication.
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