His meteoric rise to become New York City’s chief law enforcement officer was later tarnished after he pleaded guilty to federal corruption and tax crimes.

Bernard Kerik, who was hailed for his role in leading the New York City Police Department during the September 11, 2001, attacks but later went to prison for tax evasion, died on Thursday at the age of 69.

Bernard Kerik, a former NYC police commissioner, has died at 69. Kerik, who led NYPD during the 9/11 attacks, had a career marked by both heroism and legal troubles that led to prison time before receiving a pardon by U.