Legendary Lawman

 

PoliceUSA salutes Jim Leavelle, one of the first officers to enroll in our organization back in 1989. He will be celebrating his 91st birthday on August 23. Our best wishes to a fine lawman and gentleman.

Below is an interview conducted by Phillip LeConte, originally published in our quarterly Police News:

The Man In The White Hat

In a single instant, on November 24, 1963 at 11:21 AM, the image of Jim Leavelle became an unforgettable page of history.  In that moment, Jack Ruby shot Lee Harvey Oswald.  The photograph has become one of the most famous ever taken - Ruby lunging forward; Oswald cringing in pain; and Jim Leavelle recoiling in shock.

Since that day in November, Leavelle has been interviewed by everyone from the Warren Commission to Geraldo Rivera.  We caught up with Leavelle, not only to talk about that day in Dallas, but to find out what Texas’ most recognized lawman has been up to.From the time of ledgers, Jim was one of the first officers to enroll in our organization back in 1989

Q:  Are you keeping busy these days?
I spend a lot of time hunting and fishing.  My wife and I also travel a great deal.  

Q  If you were a young man, would you join the force today, knowing the streets the way they are?

Yes, I would.  But things have changed so much.  I just had breakfast with a group of retired police and we were talking about how much things have changed.  When we joined the force, you didn’t get anything, no uniform, or pistol, most cars didn’t even have a two way in them.  You had to go out and buy all those things yourself.

I wish I’d had the computers and equipment they have now days, but I just don’t think I could do all the social work they have to content with now.  You know, back when I was a copy, people respected police officers.  If I had to put a knot on somebody’s head arresting them, they would say, “I had that coming.”  Even with thieves, you had good rapport.  If you went to court, the guy would come up to you and say, “Well, you know I stole all this stuff, but you’re going to have to prove it.”  Now, criminals have no respect for officers.

Q:  What was the problem the day Oswald got shot?

In hindsight, we needed one more officer working the exit ramp.  When the officer posted there went out into the street to check traffic.  Ruby slipped by in those 15 seconds.  To give you an idea of how close it was, Ruby time stamped a letter to his girlfriend at 11:17, and when he shot Oswald, the clock read 11:21.  Ruby told me he wouldn’t have gotten in if the officer had not stepped to the curb.

Q:  Why was the officer checking traffic?

We were going to transport Oswald in a squad car.  He was checking traffic because they were going to pull it around in front of the armored truck.  We had word that the crowd was going to set fire to the truck.  I didn’t want anything to do with that truck, and be roasted like a pig inside.  So we were going to use it as a decoy.

Q:  What did you think of Oswald?

I’ve been with many murder suspects, but he was never belligerent.  He did hold his fist up to the FBI agent in the Russian salute and raised his voice because the agent talked to his wife without him.

Q:  Do you think Oswald acted alone?

I don’t think there’s any doubt.  There were 11 different law enforcement agencies working on the case, and none found any concrete proof of a conspiracy.  I have a bookcase full of conspiracy information that is sent to me, but I always tell them, “Show me some concrete evidence.”  It’s all hearsay from people who are dead.  I can’t question someone who is dead.

Q:  Do you stay in touch with anyone from that day?

Well, I just had dinner with Marina, Oswald’s wife.  We’ve stayed in touch over the years.  She wishes they could prove Lee’s guilt one way or another.  There’s such a stigma attached to her.  She’s a nice lady, just a victim of circumstance.