Hero dog Hurricane who protected president from White House intruder dies aged 16
Hurricane, a courageous dog who protected the president when an intruder scaled the walls of the White House, has died at the age of 16, Guinness World Records is saddened to learn.
The Belgian Malinois was the most decorated K-9 officer in US history and broke a world record with his heroic actions.
Back in 2022, he became one of the first recipients of the Animals in War & Peace Distinguished Service Medal during a prestigious ceremony at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.
News of his sad passing was announced online.
The official White House X account posted: “Hurricane was a true American hero.
“The most decorated K-9 in U.S. history, he bravely defended the White House and spent retirement helping other working dogs through @Hurricane_K9. His legacy of courage and loyalty will live on.
“Rest easy, Hurricane.”
Hurricane served in the US military from 2012 to 2016 alongside his proud handler and loving owner, now-retired Secret Service agent Marshall Mirarchi.
His bravery as a US Secret Service Uniformed Division K-9 Officer will forever be remembered, especially his heroic actions on the night of 22 October 2014.
The protective pooch leapt into action to defend then-President Barack Obama and the First Family when an intruder scaled the perimeter of the White House and began making their way towards the famous residence.
Hurricane and Marshall
Marshall explained: “It just so happened that the president and his family were right inside the front door, and somebody jumped the small fence, then the big fence, and got on to the lawn. He proceeded to come forward and evade several Secret Service officers.
“The first dog was deployed, and the intruder punched him and kicked him in the face so that dog was pulled out. That’s when I sent Hurricane from the complete opposite side of the north grounds.”
Hurricane subdued the intruder until his human colleagues could swoop in to make an arrest.
Marshall added: “He went into survival mode, and that’s something that I’ve never seen any dog do.
“Even as Hurricane was getting hit, he was still driving the individual away from the house and back towards the fence that he [the intruder] jumped.”
The intruder inflicted serious injuries on poor Hurricane, who was repeatedly punched, kicked, swung around, and slammed into the ground.
But the brave boy didn’t give up, although he continued to struggle with hip problems and had to have all four of his incisors replaced with titanium after that night.
He retired about a year later, at age seven, and he and Marshall continued working together to help others through their non-profit K9 Hurricane’s Heroes.
Rest in peace, good boy.