The world was hit with some very sad news on Thursday when a former NYPD Commissioner known as “America’s Cop” passed away.

Bernard Kerik, 69 at his death, led the city’s police department through the horrific 9/11 terrorist attacks. He was recently hospitalized for cardiac disease and passed away this week at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, surrounded by his family and friends.

The former commissioner had a high-profile career that featured both success and controversy. His first taste of prominence came when former Mayor Rudy Giuliani named him New York City’s top police official in 2000.

Not long after being appointed to the position, violent crime dropped a whopping 63 percent. Kerik, the 40th police commissioner in the city’s history, became known as the “beat cop commissioner” due to having a hands-on style of leadership.

During the 16-month tenure of his service, he made five arrests. One of these involved two ex-convicts driving a stolen van in Harlem. His career in law enforcement lasted 40 years and featured time in security work, and he notably led the department during 9/11.

He oversaw response, rescue, recovery, and investigative efforts during that tumultuous period for the city of New York. Kerik’s performance during the attack on the World Trade Center was heavily praised and is where he earned 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 stated in a post on X. “We offer our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”

Mayor Eric Adams, who was once an NYPD captain, mourned Kerik’s passing. The two were friends for 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,” Adams remarked. “He was a great New Yorker and American. Rest in peace, my friend.”

Another longtime friend of Kerik, FBI Director Kash Patel, called Kerik “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’s statement read. “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.”

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani released a statement about Kerik’s passing, saying, “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.”

“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,” he added.

Kerik served honorably in the military, being named the head of the provisional police in Iraq in 2003. However, he was no stranger to controversy. When offered to be the first head of the brand new — at the time — Department of Homeland Security, he turned it down, admitting to hiring an illegal immigrant nanny.

And then came his own legal woes.

“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,” the New York Post reported.

Kerik was also brought before Congress and questioned during hearings about the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol building. He was subpoenaed and ordered to disclose privileged Trump administration documents that were allegedly linked to the investigation.

Just last year, the former police commissioner served as a surrogate for President Donald Trump on crime and national security issues.

During his career, he earned a number of accolades, including the NYPD Medal of Valor, 29 NYPD medals for excellence, a Presidential Commendation from President Ronald Reagan, and many other awards.

Kerik is survived by his wife, Hala Matil Kerik, and three children.