Gilbert the Golden Retriever Lies in State with Hortmans \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Gilbert, the golden retriever gravely injured in a deadly attack that claimed his owners, lay in state alongside Democratic leader Melissa Hortman and her husband at the Minnesota Capitol. He is almost certainly the first dog ever to receive this honor. The ceremony, attended by hundreds, also featured tributes from fellow canine therapy dogs and dog lovers.
Quick Looks
- Gilbert, the Hortmans’ beloved golden retriever, lay in state with his injured owners.
- He is likely the first nonhuman to receive a Capitol honor; Hortman is the first female dignitary.
- Hundreds paid their respects in St. Paul; flowers and Gilbert’s urn were placed beside the caskets.
- Volunteers from Helping Paws offered canine therapy to mourners in tribute to Gilbert’s legacy.
- The dog, once a foster participant, was euthanized after severe injuries from the shooting.
Deep Look
In a ceremony that was both unprecedented and profoundly emotional, Gilbert, the golden retriever who was mortally wounded in the same violent attack that claimed the lives of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, was honored alongside them as they lay in state in the rotunda of the Minnesota Capitol. This marked a historic first—Gilbert is all but certainly the only nonhuman ever to lie in state at a U.S. state capitol.
His presence, symbolized by a golden urn placed between the couple’s caskets, reflected the intimate, familial role pets now occupy in American life, and the extraordinary grief that accompanies their loss—particularly when tied to a larger tragedy.
Melissa Hortman, a long-serving lawmaker and former Speaker of the Minnesota House, was also the first woman to receive the honor. Until now, only 19 men—ranging from a U.S. vice president to governors, senators, and even a Civil War veteran—had lain in state at the Minnesota Capitol. Gilbert’s inclusion not only expanded that tradition, but also reframed the way public mourning can include the broader definition of “family.”
A Capitol of Mourning
The public began lining up outside the Capitol before the doors opened at noon. Inside the rotunda, the setting was reverent and symbolic. Law enforcement officers stood vigil beside the caskets. Two pedestals stood between them—one adorned with flowers, the other cradling Gilbert’s urn. Attendees passed through in silence, many visibly moved. Some left handwritten notes, while others quietly placed dog biscuits and small tributes.
Near the House chamber, where Hortman led Democrats, a makeshift memorial displayed a box of Milk-Bone dog treats, accompanied by a note: “For the best boy, Gilbert.” It was a detail that turned solemn ceremony into a communal moment of recognition—not just of loss, but of love, devotion, and emotional connection.
A Tragedy Felt Statewide
The attack that claimed the Hortmans and Gilbert occurred on June 14. The assailant, Vance Boelter, posed as a police officer before fatally shooting the couple and wounding Gilbert so severely that family members had him euthanized at a veterinary clinic in their hometown of Brooklyn Park. Authorities say Boelter, who is now facing multiple charges including political assassination, also wounded a state senator and his wife and visited the homes of two other Democratic lawmakers in an apparent politically motivated killing spree.
The veterinary clinic, Allied Emergency Veterinary Service, described Gilbert as “deeply loved” and “sweet and gentle.” They shared his story on a GoFundMe page set up to raise funds for police K-9 care, and tributes poured in.
Service and Symbolism
Gilbert’s journey had begun as a trainee in the Helping Paws Inc. program, which trains service dogs for individuals with disabilities. But his trainers eventually determined he was “too friendly” for the regimented role. He was what Helping Paws called a “career change” dog—one who found his calling not in service, but in family. Melissa Hortman, deeply attached, was reportedly pleased with the outcome. As her colleague Rep. Erin Koegel recalled, “Melissa wanted him to fail so she could keep him.”
Gilbert’s legacy with Helping Paws lived on at the Capitol. The organization deployed volunteers and trained golden retrievers to offer canine comfort to grieving members of the public. These dogs mingled with mourners, providing not just affection, but also a quiet, emotional bridge between grief and healing.
One such dog, Minnie, had been fostered by the Hortmans and later went on to assist a military veteran. Helping Paws, in a statement, credited the family’s love and dedication with helping shape Minnie’s success.
More Than a Symbol
Gilbert’s inclusion in the state’s most solemn public rite transcends symbolism. It acknowledges a cultural shift in how Americans view their relationships with animals—particularly pets. For many, they are not merely companions but integral members of the family. His presence alongside the Hortmans validated the idea that love, loyalty, and grief do not stop at the boundary between human and animal.
It also added a powerful visual narrative to a tragedy already defined by its raw emotional weight. The image of Gilbert’s urn placed between the caskets, with flowers at his side, transformed the rotunda into a space where both state protocol and emotional truth could coexist.
For many who attended or watched online, Gilbert’s presence made the mourning more relatable, more intimate, and more human—even as it involved a dog.
As the Capitol prepared for the private funeral the following day, one thing was clear: Gilbert was not simply a pet. He was a part of the Hortman family. And in death, just as in life, he remained by their side—forever loyal, forever loved.
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