RIP to one of the best good boys of all-time.
A few days ago it was announced that Hurricane, a Belgian Malinois who worked for the Secret Service, had passed away at 16 years old.
He was a member of a winning US Canine Olympic team before being assigned to protect President Obama with his handler, Special Operations Officer Marshall Mirarchi.
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.
pic.twitter.com/st5VxcOiAd
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 19, 2025
Mirarchi said the following about the loss of his beloved K-9:
“As much as we knew this time was coming there was no way to prepare. We miss him so much. A huge hole that can never be replaced.”
Hurricane earned his title of “Most Decorated Dog In US History” thanks to his bravery during a White House incident in 2014.
To set the scene, it was a weird time in terms of White House protection. Just before Hurricane’s incident, someone had managed to literally break into the White House without any agents taking notice. It wasn’t until the intruder, who was an Iraq War veteran with PTSD, literally ran into (and through) a female Secret Service officer than an off-duty male officer jumped into action to subdue him. President Obama and his family were not home at the time and the incident lead to then-director of the Secret Service, Julia Pierson, stepping down.
It also gave us one of Joe Rogan’s most famous stand-up bits…
Well, about a month after that incident, another man decided to make a run for the front door.
In October of 2014, a 23-year old named Dominic Adesanya of Bel Air, Maryland scaled the fence at the front of the White House and began running across the yard. This time, the Secret Service was ready and unleashed two K-9 to bring him down.
Admittedly, Adesanya fought well… he kicked the first dog in the head, which caused him to back up, and that’s when Hurricane struck.
He leapt at the man and clamped down with his jaws, which were fortified with 4 aluminum teeth, and slammed him to the ground. Adesanya, to his credit, continued to fight back, landing punches and elbows on Hurricane, but the dog knew what he was there for and refused to let go, continuing to go to war until Secret Service agents were able to surround and subdue the man.
Both dogs had to be taken to the vet due to some serious injuries they sustained. In fact, this encounter forced Hurricane into a medically necessary retirement. He eventually recovered and lived out the rest of his days with his handler.
Here’s the video of Hurricane in action:
Tough to see but without a doubt Hurricane served his country proudly that night, whether he knew it or not.
In light of his actions, Hurricane was honored with numerous awards, including the United States Secret Service Award for Merit, the Department of Homeland Security Award for Valor, the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) Order of Merit, the American Medical Center Top Dog, the Animals in War and Peace Distinguished Service Medal (first dog to receive that award), and the Secretary’s Award for Valor (shared with Mirarchi).
After retiring from the line of duty, Hurricane became the namesake for K-9 Hurricane’s Heroes, which provides retired law enforcement and military canines with subsidized veterinary care nationwide.
16 years is a long and happy life for a Malinois, which typically lives only to 10 to 14. Our thoughts are with Mirarchi, his family and everyone who was touched by this incredible canine in one way or another.
RIP Hurricane. I hope you’re chasing squirrels and tackling criminals up in dog heaven.
The post RIP Hurricane: The Most Decorated Dog In US History, Who Famously Took Down A White House Intruder In 2014, Has Passed Away first appeared on Whiskey Riff.