Latest news with #Finest
International Business Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- International Business Times
How Did Bernard Kerik Die? Former NYPD Commissioner Dubbed 'America's Cop' Who Fell from Grace Dies Aged 69 as Tributes Pour In
Former NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik, famously dubbed "America's Cop" for his leadership during the 9/11 attacks, died on Thursday due to cardiac disease. Kerik was 69 years old and died at the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, surrounded by his loved ones, the New York Post reported. He had a career marked by both success and controversy. Kerik shot to fame in 2000 when then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani appointed him as New York City's police commissioner and presided over a 63% decline in violent crime. As the city's 40th police commissioner, Kerik was also dubbed the "beat cop commissioner" for his active, on-the-ground leadership, making five arrests during his 16-month tenure as the commissioner. Star in His Own Right This included one case where he arrested two former convicts in Harlem who were driving a stolen van. Kerik's law enforcement career spanned over 40 years and included work in national security. He led the NYPD during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, directing the department's response, rescue, recovery, and investigation operations. His swift and strategic deployment of officers in the aftermath of the Twin Towers tragedy earned him widespread praise and the title "America's Cop." "For nearly two decades, Kerik served and protected New Yorkers in the NYPD, including helping rebuild the city in the aftermath of 9/11," the Finest said on X. "We offer our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones." Mayor Eric Adams, who once served as an NYPD captain, mourned the death of his friend of 30 years. "It was just this afternoon that I stopped by the hospital to see Bernie Kerik, my friend of nearly 30 years, before his passing," Hizonner said. "He was a great New Yorker and American. Rest in peace, my friend." FBI Director Kash Patel, also a longtime friend, said Kerik was "a warrior, a patriot, and one of the most courageous public servants this country has ever known." "With over 40 years of service in law enforcement and national security, he dedicated his life to protecting the American people. As the 40th Police Commissioner of New York City, Bernie led with strength and resolve in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, guiding the NYPD through one of the darkest chapters in our nation's history," Patel said in a statement. "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." An Eventful Life Kerik was born on September 4, 1955, in Newark, New Jersey. Before starting his law enforcement career, he served in the U.S. Army. In 1986, he joined the NYPD, and later in 1994, he joined the Department of Corrections. Four years later, Giuliani appointed him as commissioner of that department, paving the way for his eventual role as head of the NYPD. Following the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, President George W. Bush named Kerik to lead the temporary police force in the war-torn country. After his public service roles, he founded the Kerik Group, a private consulting firm specializing in crisis and risk management. In 2004, Bush nominated Kerik to lead the Department of Homeland Security. However, Kerik withdrew his nomination after revealing he had employed an illegal immigrant as a nanny. This admission led to a guilty plea in 2006 for ethics violations in the Bronx. Kerik's legal issues worsened in 2009 when he pleaded guilty to eight federal charges, including tax evasion related to a $255,000 home renovation gift and providing false information during his Homeland Security vetting process. He served four years in federal prison and was granted a pardon by President Donald Trump in 2020. In recent years, Kerik was questioned by Congress during hearings about the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot and was ordered to turn over Trump-related documents tied to the investigation. In 2024, he acted as a public representative for Trump on matters of crime and national security. Throughout his career, Kerik received numerous awards, including the NYPD Medal for Valor, 29 departmental awards for distinguished service, a Presidential Commendation from President Ronald Reagan, and several other prestigious honors.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Bernie Kerik, former NYPD Commissioner known as ‘America's Cop' after 9/11, dead at 69
Ex-NYPD Commissioner Bernard Kerik, who was known as 'America's Cop' and led the city's police department through the 9/11 terror attacks, died Thursday after he was hospitalized with cardiac disease. He was 69 and surrounded by family and friends at the time of his death at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Kerik, whose high-profile career was peppered with success and controversy, shot to prominence when he was named the Big Apple's top cop by former Mayor Rudy Giuliani in 2000 and presided over a 63% drop in violent crime. The 40th police commissioner was also dubbed the 'beat cop commissioner' for his hands-on leadership style, making five arrests during his 16-month tenure as commissioner, including one involving two ex-convicts in Harlem driving a stolen van. Kerik, whose law enforcement career spanned four decades and involved national security work, helmed the department during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, overseeing response, rescue, recovery and investigative efforts. His actions in the aftermath of the Twin Towers attack were praised, earning him the nickname 'America's Cop.' 'For nearly two decades, Kerik served and protected New Yorkers in the NYPD, including helping rebuild the city in the aftermath of 9/11,' the Finest said on X. 'We offer our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.' Mayor Eric Adams, a former NYPD captain, mourned his friend of three decades. 'It was just this afternoon that I stopped by the hospital to see Bernie Kerik, my friend of nearly 30 years, before his passing,' Hizonner said. 'He was a great New Yorker and American. Rest in peace, my friend.' FBI Director Kash Patel, a longtime friend, said Kerik was 'a warrior, a patriot, and one of the most courageous public servants this country has ever known.' 'With over 40 years of service in law enforcement and national security, he dedicated his life to protecting the American people. As the 40th Police Commissioner of New York City, Bernie led with strength and resolve in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, guiding the NYPD through one of the darkest chapters in our nation's history,' Patel said in a statement. '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.' Giuliani said in a statement that Kerik was a 'true patriot' and 'one of the bravest men I've ever known.' 'He became police commissioner when they thought crime couldn't be reduced any further, yet he reduced it further. His work helped New York become the safest big city in America and a shining example of urban renaissance,' the ex-mayor said. 'Then he faced the worst foreign attack since the war of 1812 on American soil — September 11th. He was at my side within 20 minutes of the attack and never left.' Born in Newark, New Jersey, on Sept. 4, 1955, Kerik served in the US Army before joining the NYPD in 1986. In 1994, he left the force and joined the Department of Corrections, being named its commissioner four years later by Giuliani, leading up to his stint as the NYPD's top cop. In 2003, following the US invasion of Iraq, then-President George W. Bush named Kerik to head up a provisional police force in the post-war Middle Eastern nation. The former Finest boss later founded Kerik Group, a private crisis and risk management consulting firm. Bush nominated Kerik to head the US Department of Homeland Security in 2004, but the ex-commissioner withdrew his nomination while admitting he had employed an illegal immigrant as a nanny — which led to his guilty plea to ethics violations in the Bronx in 2006. His legal troubles worsened in 2009, when he pleaded guilty to eight federal felonies, including charges that he evaded taxes on a $255,000 gift for home repairs and made false statements to federal officials while being considered for the Homeland Security post. Kerik served four years in federal prison before he was pardoned by Trump in 2020 during his first term in the White House. More recently, Kerik was grilled by Congress during hearings stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol and was subpoenaed to disclose privileged Trump administration documents reportedly linked to the investigation. In 2024, he served as a surrogate for Trump on crime and national security issues. His honors over his career included the NYPD Medal for Valor, 29 NYPD medals for excellence and meritorious service, a Presidential Commendation from President Ronald Reagan and numerous other impressive accolades. Bruce Teitelbaum, who served as Giuliani's chief of staff, said Kerik was 'a tough guy, who made an impact and served our city well. His place in history is secure. 'Fearless, brave, larger than life.' In public, Kerik 'had a tough exterior,' Kathy Vigiano, retired cop and widow of 9/11 hero Detective Joseph Vigiano told The Post. 'Privately, he cherished his family, wife and kids, cops. He was always there for me and my family.' Guardian Angels founder and Republican Big Apple mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa called him 'a cop's cop.' Kerik is survived by his wife, Hala Matil Kerik, and three children, including a son with ex-wife Jacqueline Llerena. His son Joe, 41, followed in his father's footsteps into law enforcement and currently serves on the Newark SWAT team.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Playboi Carti Calls Out Ye For Sampling Song Without His Permission
Playboi Carti is calling out Ye West over the unauthorized use of one of his tracks, sparking fresh tension between the two artists. On Wednesday (May 21), Ye released his new single, 'Alive,' featuring NBA YoungBoy. The track quickly gained attention—not just for its high-profile collaborators, but for prominently sampling Carti's song 'CRANK,' taken from his MUSIC album, which dropped earlier this year. While fans initially believed the sample had Carti's blessing — especially given their past collaborations and rumors of reconciliation — the Atlanta rapper made it clear that wasn't the case. Taking to social media shortly after the track's release, Carti posted a clip of the 'CRANK' music video and directly tagged Ye in a sharp rebuke. 'DIS MY SONG LIL BRA @ye,' Carti wrote in the caption, signaling clear frustration and implying Ye never sought or received permission to use the sample. Ye has yet to publicly respond to the accusation. Meanwhile, the controversy has sparked debate among fans and commentators. Popular live streamer Sneako defended West, suggesting the track was his creation from the start. 'Ye made the beat, clearly,' Sneako said. 'If you listen to Carti's version, it's not good.' Adding fuel to the fire, NBA YoungBoy released a solo track titled 'Finest' shortly after 'Alive' dropped—capitalizing on the momentum and drama surrounding the release. Kanye West and Playboi Carti have shared a dynamic collaborative history, most notably on West's Donda album, where Carti appeared on the fan-favorite track 'Off the Grid.' Carti's MUSIC album, released earlier this year, marked a major commercial milestone, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and earning widespread acclaim for its experimental sound and bold production. More from Kai Cenat Irritated By Fan Crashing AMAs Livestream To Praise Ye Ye And YoungBoy Never Broke Again Link Up For New Single "Alive" Ye Asks For God's "Forgiveness," Says He's Done With Antisemitism
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Police ID thug accused of bashing off-duty cop, stealing his gun — and bust his dad for using the officer's credit card
The NYPD has ID'd one of the cowardly thugs who allegedly beat an off-duty NYPD cop and stole his service weapon at knifepoint — and have now busted his father for allegedly using the officer's stolen credit card, law enforcement sources told The Post. Taveon Hargrove, 23, is a person of interest in the shocking assault shortly after 4 a.m. Saturday outside 1472 St. Peter's Ave. in Westchester Square, when two 'armed and extremely dangerous' goons pulled off the brazen armed robbery, police said. Cops, who have not identified the second suspect, said Hargrove's father was nabbed using the credit card at several Bronx bodegas, and now have the older man in custody, sources said. The robbery itself was a brazen, brutal assault on one of New York's Finest. 'Two individuals viciously attacked an off-duty NYPD officer,' the department said on X on Sunday. 'They forced him to the ground, struck him in the face, held a knife to his throat, and stole his belongings, including his firearm.' Police said the crooks made off with the off-duty officer's Glock 19 9mm handgun. Sources said the injured cop is awake and talking, but is still in a great deal of pain and is scheduled for surgery for a broken cheekbone and a fractured eye socket. Meanwhile, the NYPD released a wanted poster of Hargrove over the weekend. 'Suspect is to be considered armed and extremely dangerous,' it said. The attack comes in the midst of an uptick in assaults on New York's Finest, with the incidents at 'unprecedented levels' as of October, with the number surging by 41% through the first 10 months of 2024, NYPD data showed. Through October, 1,975 officers were assaulted in 2024 compared to 1,763 at the same point in 2023. Last month, three teen punks attacked a retired NYPD sergeant on the Upper East Side. Commissioner Jessica Tisch blasted the 'heinous attacks' on officers. 'In just the past month, we've seen some heinous attacks on police officers in NYC, including: one with part of his finger bitten off; another with part of his ear bitten off; and this latest vicious assault resulting in severe fractures to an officer's face, among too many,' she said in an X post.
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Blue Bloods' Boston Blue confirms major Hollywood star will replace Tom Selleck
Blue Bloods spin-off Boston Blue has confirmed who will be playing the grandfather of Sonequa Martin-Green's Detective Lena Silver. Boston Blue has unveiled its new Frank Reagan, with the Blue Bloods spin-off set to debut in late 2025. While Tom Selleck was a key figure in CBS' Blue Bloods as the Reagan family patriarch Frank Reagan, there's been no word on whether he'll make an appearance in Boston Blue. When Danny Reagan (portrayed by Donnie Wahlberg) joins the Boston PD, he'll be teamed up with Detective Lena Silver (Sonequa Martin-Green), who also hails from a distinguished police family. At the helm of that family is Reverend Peters, described as "a renowned pastor of a historic Baptist church in Boston", who is an "open-minded, welcoming man that is comfortable in all traditions". The actor stepping into the role of Reverend Peters, familiar to film buffs, has now been disclosed. Boston Blue's Reverend Peters will be played by actor Ernie Hudson. He's best known for his roles as Winston Zeddemore in the Ghostbusters series and McDonald in Sandra Bullock's Miss Congeniality. Hudson's other credits include LA's Finest, Quantum Leap, The Family Business, The Crow and The Basketball Diaries. Much like Magnum PI star Tom Selleck's fatherly role as Frank Reagan, Hudson's pastor is anticipated to take on a similar role prior to Blue Bloods' cancellation after 14 seasons. CBS has unveiled more about the Silver family tree, revealing that Reverend Peters is the father of Boston's District Attorney Mae Silver and grandfather to Superintendent Ashley Silver, rookie officer Isaac Silver and Detective Lena Silver. To date, apart from Reverend Peters, the only member of the Silver family who has been cast is The Walking Dead actress Sonequa Martin-Green, who will play Lena. There's no official release date for Boston Blue as yet. However, it's expected to premiere in the autumn of 2025 and when it does, the spin-off will take over the Friday 10pm slot currently occupied by Blue Bloods. Blue Bloods is available to watch on CBS.
