Other helpful Secret Service agents include Special Agent Yvonne D., who made it possible for me to witness how Secret Service canine teams helped secure the area where Pope Francis was to make his first public appearance of his three-city tour; and Special Agent Hector H., who contributed some excellent quotes and a spirit of conviviality whenever he joined the conversation.
In the summer of 2014, a few months before my book Top Dog was to be published, I was coming up with possibilities for my next book. I knew just enough about Secret Service dogs to put them at the top of my list. One day, as luck or fate would have it, I found myself on a boat with Clint Hill, the former Secret Service agent who was in the presidential motorcade when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. He is the one you see in the famous, heartbreaking photo after he had leapt onto the presidential limousine and was shielding Jacqueline Kennedy and the president, who had just been shot. Clint was on the boat with his talented and gracious book coauthor, Lisa McCubbin, who has penned three bestsellers with Clint.
I got to talking about books with the Secret Service legend, and I asked if he happened to know anything about the Secret Service canine program. To my delight, Clint not only knew about it, but he happened to be good friends with Bill Livingood, who was instrumental in its inception. He said if I decided to pursue the book, he’d try to put me in touch with Bill.
A few months later, a White House fence jumper made his way into the White House itself, getting past multiple rings of security, including a dog team. The month after that, two Secret Service dogs bravely apprehended a fence jumper who punched and kicked them in his attempts to break away and get to the White House. I talked with Stephen Morrow, the editor for my other two books at Dutton, and he was interested in having me pursue the book.
I contacted Clint, who connected me with Bill Livingood. When the Secret Service eventually approved the book and I flew out to Washington, D.C., to begin my months of in-person research, Bill and I met twice over lunch. He struck me as one of the nicest, most down-to-earth, humble, kind, helpful people I’d ever met. Everyone who knows him seems to feel the same way. He opened the door to the fascinating history of the canine program. A deeply heartfelt thank-you to Clint, Lisa, and Bill for helping me gain access to this important aspect of the book. And a tremendous additional thanks to Clint for offering to write the Foreword after reading a galley version of Secret Service Dogs. What an incredible honor it is to have his words introduce this book.
The time I spent with everyone involved in earlier years of the Secret Service canine program was fascinating. No one had ever interviewed them about their experiences, so there was almost nothing written about the history of dogs in the Secret Service. This is no longer the case thanks to these men, who still feel a deep pride in the program: Bill Shegogue, Cliff Cusick, Ray Reinhart, Freddie McMillon, Henry Sergent, Wes Williams, Dennis Martin, Barry Lewis, and Thomas Quinn.
When author Steve Kettmann learned the subject of my book, he told me about an incident regarding Barbra Streisand and a Secret Service canine who had come to sweep her property for a Clinton Library fund raiser. He kindly gave me permission to quote part of the entertaining anecdote directly from his book What a Party!, which he coauthored with Terry McAuliffe, former head of the Democratic National Committee.
And speaking of fund raising for presidential causes, I raise a toast to the West Coast couple who wished to remain anonymous but was happy to have a key staff member tell me of their experiences with Secret Service dogs sniffing around their magnificent home. I also wish to thank Steve Branch, archivist at the Reagan Presidential Library, for locating the photo of President Reagan with Marco and all the other dogs and handlers.
This is my third book with Dutton executive editor Stephen Morrow. I thrive on his enthusiasm and his sense of story, and greatly value his keen eye and ear for words. Plus it’s fun to work with him, regardless of the challenges we may face. I couldn’t ask for a better editor. This is the first book I’ve done since Stephen’s editorial assistant, the talented and hardworking Adam O’Brien, came on board. I’ve enjoyed what he has brought to the project and expect him to have a bright future in the field. My editorial team included crack copy editor Kristin Roth. I am in awe of—and grateful for—her incredible eagle eyes.
Agent Carol Mann has once again been there from when a book idea was just a twinkle in my eye. She is quite selective when it comes to my book topics and always pushes me to aim high.
—
Several friends helped me in wonderful, tangible ways during the research and writing of the book, either through providing me delectable and soul-saving food in the last and most grueling days of my tight writing deadline (Jacquie Steiner, Sally Deneen, Tammi Goldstein) or showing me hospitality when I was far from home for long stretches during the research (Catherine Oenbrink, Scott Eyman, Lynn Kalber, Debra and Tom Targett, Bob and Mollie Dady, Richard and Michelle Leiby, Justin Breitschopf, Marius Daugirdas, and my new friends, Airbnb hosts Cheryl and Didi).
A most heartfelt thank-you to Bowie State University communications major Winona W., who drove me back to my lodging from a remote train station after a long day of research on a cold, rainy night when my car was missing and my phone was on the blink. (Winona: As we discussed on that rainy ride, the Secret Service needs people like you. Show this to recruiters at the next Secret Service job fair!)
My ever-patient, understanding rock of a husband, Craig Hanson, and our daughter, Laura Altair Hanson, held down the fort admirably in my long absences and also when I returned and was spending up to eighteen hours a day sequestered in my writing cottage.
And then there is Gus, my five-month-old yellow Lab, who is snoring loudly at my feet as I write this. He has a special story involving a soldier named Kory Wiens and his beloved yellow Lab, Cooper, who didn’t make it back from their deployment in Iraq. I will save Gus’s background for another time and a more appropriate venue. He is a smart, loving, good dog who brings me laughter and great happiness every day. I know it’s early in the game, but I do believe he may have the makings of the best dog in the world . . .
SOURCES
All interviews in this book took place between April 2015 and May 2016. From August through December the interviews were largely in person, on the scene in the Washington, D.C., area and other locales where the United States Secret Service canine teams venture. Otherwise, interviews and information gathering from sources took place by phone, Skype, e-mail, Facebook messages, and texts.
In addition to the following sources, I read several other books and dozens more articles and gathered information from websites. Those ended up being more for background, whereas the sources here had a direct bearing on the information in Secret Service Dogs. I also spoke with several other Secret Service personnel for background information only.
CHAPTER 1
Interviews with Marshall M., Brian M., Bill G.
CHAPTER 2
Currency News. “It’s a Dog’s Life.” Banknote 2003. February 4, 2003. https://www.hitpages.com/doc/6353217529053184/2#pageTop.
Federal Reserve Board. “The Use and Counterfeiting of United States Currency Abroad, Part 3.” September 2006. http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/rptcongress/counterfeit/default.htm.
Interviews with Kim K., Bill G., Brian M., Nicole M., Hector H., Marshall M., “Stew,” Brian B., Brian W., Kevin H., Jorge P., Erica F., Josh B., Nate C.
Mandelblit, Bruce. “Dogs Detect Counterfeit Dollars.” Newsmax, October 27, 2006. http://www.newsmax.com/Pre-2008/Dogs-Detect-Counterfeit-Dollars/2006/10/27/id/684608/.
Mandelblit, Bruce. “These Dogs Have a Nose for ‘Funny Money.’” Crimezilla, February 18, 2010. http://www.crimezilla.com/2010/02/these-dogs-have-a-nose-for-funny-money/.
CHAPTER 3
Gilmartin, Kevin M. “Hypervigilance: A Learned Perceptual Set and Its Consequences on Police Stress.” In Psychological Services to La
w Enforcement, edited by J. T. Reese and H. A. Goldstein. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1986. http://emo tionalsurvival.com/hypervigilance.htm.
Interviews with Jim S., “Stew,” Luke K., Shawn S., Larry C., Sal S., Brian M., Marshall M., and Bill G.
Schneier, Bruce. “Living in a Code Yellow World.” Schneier on Security, September 24, 2015. https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2015/09/liv ing_in_a_cod.html.
Smith, Betsy B. “Do You Have a Life Outside Law Enforcement . . . Really?” PoliceOne, February 29, 2008. https://www.policeone.com/patrol-issues/articles/1666423-Do-you-have-a-life-outside-law-enforcement-really/.
CHAPTER 4
Interviews with Tony Ferrara, Bill Livingood, Dennis Martin, Bill Shegogue (and his wife), Cliff Cusick, Thomas Quinn, Freddie McMillon, Ray Reinhart, Henry Sergent, Wes Williams, Barry Lewis, and Jan Boyer.
CHAPTER 5
Interviews with Jon M., Loren S., Yvonne D., Nicole M., Bill G., Kim K., Brian M., and Marshall M.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. “Xi Jinping Returns to Beijing After His State Visit to the US and Attendance of Series of Summits Marking the 70th Anniversary of the UN.” September 29, 2015. http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/t1304139.shtml.
Nakamura, David. “For U.S. Secret Service, a Presidential Pat on the Back After Challenging Week.” Washington Post, September 29, 2015. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/09/29/for-u-s-secret-service-a-presidential-pat-on-the-back-after-challenging-week/.
Nakamura, David, and Peter Hermann. “Pope’s Visit Will Produce Largest Security Operation in U.S. History.” Washington Post, September 18, 2015. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/popes-visit-will-produce-largest-security-operation-in-us-history/2015/09/18/642ca250-5d47-11e5-b38e-06883aacba64_story.html.
Schmidt, Michael S., and Jim Yardley. “Pope Francis, ‘People’s Pope,’ Is Security Teams’ Headache.” New York Times, September 22, 2015. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/23/us/protecting-pope-francis-means-being-able-to-stop-on-a-dime.html?_r=0.
Uhrmacher, Kevin, Richard Johnson, and Denise Lu. “Higher Horsepower: An Illustrated 215-Year History of the Popemobile.” Washington Post, September 21, 2015. https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/local/2015-papal-visit/popemobile-illustrated-history/.
CHAPTER 6
“Barney Bites Reporter.” YouTube video, 1:49. Posted by “Kherman54.” November 6, 2008. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9myqGe_B2vE.
Berenson, Tessa. “Man Arrested for Plot to Kidnap the Obamas’ Dog.” Time, January 8, 2016. http://time.com/4173044/obama-dog-kidnap-sunny-bo/.
Interviews with Bill G., Daryl G., “Stew,” Dante C., Luke K., Jon M., Brian M., Brian B., Freddie M., Cliff Cusick, Marshall M., Jim S., and Leth O.
Kim, Eun Kyung. “Jenna Bush Hager: Former First Dog Barney ‘Was a Real Jerk.’” Today, December 5, 2013. http://www.today.com/pets/jenna-bush-hager-former-first-dog-barney-was-real-jerk-2D11697960.
McAuliffe, Terry, and Steve Kettmann. What a Party! My Life Among Democrats: Presidents, Candidates, Donors, Activists, Alligators, and Other Wild Animals. New York: Thomas Dunne Books, 2007.
Shabad, Rebecca. “Man Arrested in Plot to Kidnap One of the Obama Family Dogs.” CBS News, January 8, 2016. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/man-drove-weapons-filled-truck-to-d-c-to-kidnap-one-of-white-house-dogs/.
Zauzmer, Julie, and Spencer S. Hsu. “Man in Alleged Plot to Kidnap Obama’s Dog Arrested on Weapons Charge.” Washington Post, January 8, 2016. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/man-drove-a-truck-filled-with-weapons-to-dc-to-kidnap-obamas-dog-authorities-say/2016/01/08/0296bf20-b626-11e5-9388-466021d971de_story.html.
CHAPTER 7
Goodavage, Maria. Soldier Dogs: The Untold Story of America’s Canine Heroes. New York: Dutton, 2012.
Interviews with Hector H., Bill G., Barry Lewis, Jon M., Henry Sergent, Nicole M., and Jorge P.
Swarns, Rachel L. “Who’s Minding Bo?” New York Times, April 28, 2009. http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/28/whos-minding-bo/?_r=0—About Dale Haney.
CHAPTER 8
Interviews with Steve M., Bill G., Brian M., Josh B., and Nate C.
CHAPTER 9
Interviews with Jorge P., Nate P., Scott L., Kim K., John F., “Stew,” Nicole M., Tim D., Leth O., Cliff Cusick, and Wes Williams.
CHAPTER 10
Associated Press. “66-Year-Old Man Jumps White House Fence.” Washington Post, March 16, 2007. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/con tent/article/2007/03/16/AR2007031601037.html.
Associated Press. “White House Fence Jumper Was Looking for Chelsea Clinton.” Fox News, December 9, 2005. http://www.foxnews.com/story/2005/12/09/white-house-fence-jumper-was-looking-for-chelsea-clinton.html.
Blitz, Matt. “The Unbelievable Story of the Guy Who Jumped the White House Fence Four Times.” Washingtonian, November 27, 2015. http://www.washingtonian.com/2015/11/27/gerald-gainous-jr-white-house-fence-jumper/.
Chaplin, Gordon. “The White House Cases.” Washington Post, October 2, 1977. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/magazine/1977/10/02/the-white-house-cases/73a8ffda-9e8a-47a8-8778-19c2dfa63a8f/.
CNN Wire Staff. “Male Suspect in Custody After Jumping White House Fence.” CNN, September 20, 2011. http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/20/us/white-house-fence-jumper/.
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. “Chaffetz and Cummings Request Briefing on Plans to Enhance White House Fence.” Press release, December 22, 2014. http://democrats.oversight.house.gov/news/press-releases/chaffetz-and-cummings-request-briefing-on-plans-to-enhance-white-house-fence.
Crowe, Kenneth C. “He Wanted Better Health Care.” Times Union, September 16, 2014. http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Rensselaer-man-id-d-as-Pokemon-White-House-fence-5756522.php.
Editorial Board. “Raising the White House Fence Could Mean the Removal of Unsightly Restrictions.” Washington Post, January 17, 2015. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/raising-the-white-house-fence-could-mean-the-removal-of-unsightly-restrictions/2015/01/17/c8cad694-9aa8-11e4-a7ee-526210d665b4_story.html.
“Fan Carrying a Stuffed Pikachu Jumps Over White House Fence & Gets Arrested by Secret Service!” YouTube video, 1:41. Posted by “Denzell Dior.” September 12, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDGmLKZtGB8.
Feinman, Ronald L. Assassinations, Threats, and the American Presidency: From Andrew Jackson to Barack Obama. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2015.
Garber, Megan. “The (Real) Story of the White House and the Big Block of Cheese.” Atlantic, January 21, 2015. http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/01/the-real-story-of-the-white-house-and-the-big-block-of-cheese/384676/.
Grimes, William. “A House Tour: Yes, That House.” New York Times, May 2, 2012. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/03/garden/touring-the-white-house.html?_r=0.
Gross, Andy. “White House Fence Jumper Omar Gonzalez Sentenced to 17 Months in Prison.” NBC News, June 16, 2015. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/white-house-fence-jumper-omar-gonzalez-sentenced-17-months-prison-n376461.
Hartmann, Margaret. “The 7 Weirdest White House Security Breaches.” New York, September 30, 2014. http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2014/09/weird-white-house-intruders-security-breeches.html#.
Horwitz, Sari, and Spencer S. Hsu. “U.S. Capitol Checkpoints Return, as Do Complaints.” Washington Post, November 17, 2004. http://www.washing tonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54774-2004Nov16.html?nav=rss_nation/nationalsecurity/homeland.
Interviews with Bill G., Jim S., “Stew,” Fuller Torrey, Hector H., Marshall M., and Dennis Martin.
Jacob, Matthew, and Mark Jacob. What the Great Ate: A Curious History of Food & Fame. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2010.
Keneally, Meghan. “How the White House Is Taking Cues from ‘The West Wing.’” ABC News, January 20, 2015. http:
//abcnews.go.com/Politics/white-house-taking-cues-west-wing/story?id=28356909.
KOAT-TV. “White House Fence Jumper Has N.M. Ties.” April 10, 2006. http://www.koat.com/White-House-Fence-Jumper-Has-N-M-Ties/6099562.
Labaree, Aaron. “The Psych Ward for People Who Broke into the White House.” Atlantic, October 25, 2014. http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/10/when-voices-tell-you-to-visit-the-president/381780/.
Lang, John S. “Many ‘White House Cases’ Detained by Secret Service.” Daytona Beach Morning Journal (Associated Press), April 26, 1971. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1873&dat=19710426&id=y00fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=j9EEAAAAIBAJ&pg=938,7107692&hl=en.
Leonnig, Carol D. “White House Fence-Jumper Made It Far Deeper into Building Than Previously Known.” Washington Post, September 29, 2014. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/white-house-fence-jumper-made-it-far-deeper-into-building-than-previously-known/2014/09/29/02efd53e-47ea-11e4-a046-120a8a855cca_story.html.
Leonnig, Carol D., and David A. Fahrenthold. “New Details in Fence-Jumping Reveal Failures in Security Rings Around White House.” Washington Post, September 23, 2014. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/new-details-in-fence-jumping-reveal-failures-in-security-rings-around-white-house/2014/09/23/043518ea-434a-11e4-b47c-f5889e061e5f_story.html?tid=a_inl.
Leonnig, Carol D., Spencer Hsu, and Annys Shin. “Secret Service Reviews White House Security After Fence-Jumper Enters Mansion.” Washington Post, September 20, 2014. https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/secret-service-reviews-white-house-security-after-fence-jumper-enters-mansion/2014/09/20/23df4f6a-40e0-11e4-b03f-de718edeb92f_story.html.
Mejia, Paula. “Rogue Fence Hopper Makes It Inside White House Doors, Misses Obama by Minutes.” Newsweek, September 20, 2014. http://www.newsweek.com/rogue-fence-hopper-makes-it-inside-white-house-doors-misses-obama-minutes-272000.
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