Species | Dog |
---|---|
Breed | Belgian Malinois |
Sex | Male |
Born | April 26, 2009 Europe |
Employer | U.S. Secret Service - Emergency Response Team |
Years active | 2012-2016 |
Known for | Protecting President Obama by stopping a perpetrator who jumped the White House fence, attempting to enter the White House residence while the President Obama and his family were inside. |
Hurricane is a retired Special Operations canine of the United States Secret Service. He is a 15-year-old black Belgian Malinois recognized for his valor and bravery in 2014. [1]
Hurricane served with his handler, Officer Marshall Mirarchi, for four years on the Secret Service's elite Emergency Response Team, a unit within the Special Operations Division. As part of the ERT's tactical canine unit, Hurricane protected the President of the United States, the vice president, their families, and visiting dignitaries.[ citation needed ]
On October 22, 2014, Hurricane protected President Obama and the First Family from an intruder who had scaled the perimeter fence of the White House and was heading towards the residence. When the first attempt at intercepting the intruder was unsuccessful, Hurricane was given the go ahead by Officer Mirarchi. Despite being repeatedly punched, kicked and swung around by the intruder, Hurricane kept a hold until armed officers were able to apprehend the intruder. [2]
Hurricane retired from the U.S. Secret Service on September 20, 2016, and was adopted by his handler, Marshall Mirarchi. [3]
K9 Hurricane has been recognized for his bravery and heroic actions over the years:
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