The present invention is directed toward a protector for a door latch mechanism. The protector comprises a shaft to which a removable handle is attached, a plate adapted to be fastened to a door, and a shroud extending from the plate and surrounding a portion of the shaft when the removable handle is removed. The shroud is adapted to receive a puck lock for engagement with the shaft when the removable handle is removed. The shroud is adapted to receive the removable handle for engagement with the shaft when the puck lock is removed. The removable handle is operable to rotate the shaft and effect operation of the latch mechanism between latched and unlatched positions. The shroud includes a slot and the removable handle includes a tab such that when the removable handle is rotated, the tab of the removable handle engages the slot of the shroud.