Rudy Giuliani served as mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001, mourning the death of former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard "Bernie" Kerik, describing the grief of losing his "best friend" and "true patriot."
FBI Director Kash Patel said Kerik died at the age of 69.
Kerik and Giuliani were terrorist attacks in New York City on September 11, 2001, and after that, due to their leadership in the city, they quickly became close friends.
"On September 11, Bernie Kerik and I saved each other's lives. If we weren't friends, that would always tie us together. He was my best friend, a true patriot, and one of the bravest men I've ever known."
Former New York Police Chief and 9/11 character Bernard Kerik died in 69
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (right) mourned the death of former New York Police Commissioner and best friend Bernie Kerik in a long-term statement Thursday, calling his grief "unexpressible." (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Giuliani said Kerik was standing by him within 20 minutes of the 9/11 attack and “never left.”
The first collapse put both of them in what Giuliani thought was 20 to 30 minutes, but they were able to escape safely with "substantial extra aid" and "extraordinary bravery" - Giuliani said over the next four months that this attitude "permeated the way of recovery."
"Bernie's leadership helped guide the people of a very frightened city, drawing their own inherent personal strength from their own as Americans of God and children of God," Giuliani said Thursday.
He also praised Kerik's career in law enforcement, noting specifically his role as commissioner for Rikers Island, where he was able to reduce violence in prison by 90%, and his role as commissioner for NYPD, where he reduced crime in the city.
"He was driven by a firm love for the country and was committed to serving others. He was one of the most decorated New York City police officers at the time," he said.
New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (Center) is New York Police Chief Bernard Kerik (right) and Mayor Emergency Management Chief Richard Scheirer (left), then exclusively overlooks the public viewing platform that was attacked on December 29, 2001 at the World Trade Center in New York City. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, file)
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Kerik has won over 100 awards for merit and heroic service in his 35-year career, including President Ronald Reagan’s presidential praise for heroism, and two outstanding service awards from the Department of Homeland Security.
He was considered the role of Homeland Security Secretary in 2004 but lied to the White House during the review, which eventually led to his plead guilty plea in 2009, including eight felony counts, including tax fraud.
President Donald Trump pardoned his conviction in 2020.
Giuliani said Creek's wife, two daughters and one son survived, and he was also a "brave and accomplished" policeman. (Mireya Success/Getty Image)
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Giuliani condolences to Kerik's wife, his two daughters and son (also a policeman), and said he believes all Kerik's friends and admirers are "better to know him."
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten and Andrea Margolis of Fox News Digital contributed to the report.