K9 Hurricane, a 16-year-old Belgian Malinois who was the most decorated dog in U.S. history, has passed away. “As much as we knew this time was coming there was no way to prepare. We miss him so much.

Hurricane, the most decorated K-9 in U.S. history, has died, the White House announced on Wednesday. “Hurricane was a true American hero,” the White House said in a post on X. “He bravely defended the White House and spent retirement helping other working dogs.

The Belgian Malinois was lauded for protecting President Barack Obama and his family after an intruder hopped the White House fence in 2014.