Latest news with #DistinguishedServiceAwards
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Former NYC Mayor Giuliani remembers best friend Bernie Kerik as 'true patriot': 'Much better for knowing him'
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 Giuliani said Kerik was at his side "within 20 minutes of the attack" on 9/11 and "never left." Read On The Fox News App 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. Former Nypd Commissioner Calls On Political Leaders To 'Get Out There' And 'Deescalate' Violence 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 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 article source: Former NYC Mayor Giuliani remembers best friend Bernie Kerik as 'true patriot': 'Much better for knowing him'
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Who was Bernard Kerik? Former NYPD police commissioner and 9/11 hero dies at age 69
Bernard Kerik (Image credit: AP) Bernard Kerik, former New York Police Commissioner and 9/11 hero, has died at age 69, the New York Police Department confirmed on Thursday via social media. Meanwhile, FBI Director Kash Patel paid tributes and said, 'Bernie passed away tragically on May 29, 2025, after a private battle with illness.' He described Kerik as 'a warrior, a patriot, and one of the most courageous public servants this country has ever known. ' Patel added, 'He was decorated more than 100 times for bravery, valor, and service, having rescued victims from burning buildings, survived assassination attempts, and brought some of the world's most dangerous criminals to justice.' 'His legacy is not just in the medals or the titles, but in the lives he saved, the city he helped rebuild, and the country he served with honor,' Patel said. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani remembered their long friendship on 'The Rudy Giuliani Show.' He said, 'We've been together since the beginning. He's like my brother.' 'I was a better man for having known Bernie. I certainly was a braver and stronger man,' Giuliani added. Who was Bernard Kerik? Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1955, Kerik dropped out of high school but earned a GED before joining the US Army. After military service, he pursued a career in law enforcement, eventually rising through the ranks. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Appointed by Giuliani as police commissioner in 2000, Kerik gained national prominence during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, coordinating emergency response efforts alongside Giuliani after the World Trade Center collapse. Over his 35-year career, Kerik received more than 100 awards for meritorious and heroic service, including a presidential commendation for heroism from former President Ronald Reagan and two Distinguished Service Awards from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In 2010, Kerik was convicted of federal tax fraud and false statement charges related to over $250,000 in apartment renovations funded by a construction firm. He was sentenced to three years in prison and released in 2013. In 2020, President Donald Trump pardoned him. A staunch Trump ally and vocal critic of the criminal justice system, Kerik later worked with Giuliani investigating claims of election fraud after the 2020 elections. He was also called to testify before the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riots, according to Fox News. Bernard Kerik, NYPD commissioner on 9/11, dies at 69 | LiveNOW from FOX
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Bernard Kerik, former New York police commissioner and 9/11 figure, dies at 69
Bernie Kerik, the former New York City police commissioner who was hailed as a hero after 9/11, has died at 69 years old. His death was announced by FBI Director Kash Patel on Thursday night, who wrote that Kerik "passed away after a private battle with illness." "Rest easy, Commissioner. Your watch has ended, but your impact will never fade," Patel wrote. Kerik's rise to national prominence came during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, where he became a steady figure alongside then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Kash Patel Flips Script On Dem Senator After Being Grilled On J6 Pardons: 'Brutal Reality Check' Kerik worked to coordinate emergency response in the aftermath of the collapse of the World Trade Center. Read On The Fox News App His 35-year career has been recognized in 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 U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Kerik, who served as the NYPD's top cop from 2000 to 2001, pleaded guilty in 2009 to eight felonies, including tax fraud and lying to the White House while being vetted for the role of Homeland Security chief in 2004. He spent nearly three years in prison before transitioning to home confinement and eventually supervised release. In 2020, President Donald Trump pardoned Kerik for his past convictions. Following his release from prison, Kerik was a vocal critic of the criminal justice system and a staunch ally of Trump. Kerik later worked with Giuliani to investigate claims of election fraud after the 2020 election and was subpoenaed by the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riots. Ex-nypd Commissioner Pardoned By Trump Agrees To Deal With Special Counsel Jack Smith In 2020 Election Probe Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1955, Kerik dropped out of high school but later earned his GED before joining the U.S. Army. After returning to civilian life, he entered law enforcement and rose through the ranks, eventually leading the city's Department of Correction. In 2000, he was appointed NYPD commissioner by Giuliani. Fox News Digital's Ronn Blitzer contributed to this article source: Bernard Kerik, former New York police commissioner and 9/11 figure, dies at 69
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
MCHS holds its annual meeting
Mar. 25—The Mower County Historical Society held its annual meeting on Thursday, March 20, in the Pioneer Building on the grounds of the Mower County Historical Society. Jeff Anderson, current president of the society called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with a total of 53 members, volunteers, and guests in attendance. Highlights of the annual meeting included: —Election of Trustees to the MCHS Board of Directors: Pat Kitchings and Barbara K. Lewis were elected to serve a three-year term on the board of directors. —Volunteer Awards and Recognition: Judy Bruggeman was honored as Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. Gene Anderson, Jim Braaten, and Diana Witt were honored with Distinguished Service Awards as retiring members of the MCHS Board of Directors. After the business meeting, Tom Robbins from Austin Area Arts, gave a short presentation on the Historic Paramount Theatre. He shared plans from the renovation project currently underway at the historic structure and answered questions about the project. The Paramount Theatre first opened in 1929 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. "This is such an important and exciting project," Robbins said. "I look forward to seeing everyone at the Paramount for a soft opening during the Artworks Festival at the end of August." Guests also had the opportunity to view several artifacts from the Paramount Theatre that were on display from the MCHS Collection.
