Kerik was serving as police commissioner during the September 11 attacks . He was in his office when American Airlines Flight 11 hit the North Tower . He arrived at the base of the North Tower three minutes before United Airlines Flight 175 hit the South Tower , showering him and his staff with debris as Giuliani , Kerik , and their top aides were trapped inside a building at 75 Barclay Street . Kerik served 16 months as commissioner , leaving office at the end of Giuliani 's term on December 31 , 2001
American Airlines Flight 11
American Airlines Flight 11
Bernard Kerik