Lee Harvey Oswald Was Shot While I Was Handcuffed to Him | The Man in the Tan Suit | James Leavelle

On December 7, 1941, Jim Leavelle was aboard the USS Whitney when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, serving in the U.S. Navy through World War II. Twenty-two years later, he would be front row at one of history's pivotal moments once again as a homicide detective for the Dallas Police Department when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.
Following Kennedy's assassination, Jim Leavelle would be the first man to interrogate Lee Harvey Oswald in connection with the murder of Dallas police officer J. D. Tippit. At the time of the interrogation, Oswald was not yet a suspect in the Kennedy assassination.
On November 24, 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald was handcuffed between Leavelle and fellow detective L. C. Graves as he was being led through the basement of the Dallas Police Headquarters to an armored car for the short trip from the city jail to the county jail. Jack Ruby then stepped from the crowd and fatally shot Oswald at point-blank range.
The moment, captured in a Pulitzer Prize winning photo, would forever brand Leavelle as “the man in the tan suit”.
James Leavelle passed away on August 29, 2019, at the age of 99.
Interview recorded on November 6, 2015
Video Credits:
Interviewer - Greg Corombos
Editor - Daniel Taksas
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[@gregorybathurst7171]

Wearing your all white raincoat so you would stand out ( why would that be ) while everyone around you was in a dark suit and tie Couldn't be a beacon saying don't shoot me could it .

[@dmet84]

I lived one house down from Jim and his lovely wife growing up. They treated me like I was their own child; shared so many meals with them in their home over the years. I had the privilege of hearing both of these stories in detail over the years, never grew tired of hearing them, he had an unbelievable memory. You were one of the great ones Jim, you will be missed my friend.

[@miltonhollis703]

Sounds like He lived a productive life His wife and His Family...

[@janetphillips2875]

Do you know if he was part of the motorcade? Some officers were already at the Trade Mart.

[@punkanelliefonkbush8811]

@@janetphillips2875 no he wasn't part of the motorcade. But don't quote me on that.

[@stevetrivago]

Where was this?

[@brianelliott6747]

RIP jim

[@josephh891]

Very coherent and an almost perfect memory with such detail for a man that is 95 years old. Thanks for your service, James. RIP.

[@JohnJohnson-pq4qz]

yea, do you know what you call 'details" to events you were not at? (like the Tippet shooting) delusional or lies...lol

[@glennlopez6772]

Rest in peace!

[@Yoseman1]

Tells me that he is lying. He was probably involved...

[@lenzotrumpet]

@@Yoseman1 sure he was lying probably repeating for years .He memorized his answers for the news or whom ever.

[@mdaddy775]

Agreed. Excellent video

[@AllansStation]

This brings back memories for me. 92 years of age now, served in the Royal Navy Aircraft Carriers and Submarines. Have a high regard for our American cousins.

[@thecrazyangryturtle2280]

Thank you for your service. From your picture I can't tell you're 92 you must take good care of yourself.

[@Aldine281]

America is not your cousin because The real America is brown native american not white

[@ChevyStylelineDave]

Zip it Lemus! You’re being disrespectful

[@jb-vb8un]

@issac - HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@randymctavish3728]

America is just a bunch of cowards now all the lovely blonde daughters are dating basketball players and rappers while the men work like slaves to pay taxes to a totally corrupt state.

[@Gumper30]

I'm so thankful that channels like this exist. The stories of the earlier generations need to be told and shared while they're still fresh in history

[@ocularpressure4558]

My sentiments exactly

[@americanveteranscenter]

We’re thankful for viewers like you Gumper.

[@anthonyangeli256]

Well said

[@finchborat]

And while they're still with us.

[@oldfogey4679]

Gumper I was watching TV with my mom when Oswald was shot! We had just lost jfk ! It was one of my most shocking memories!

[@MrRKWRIGHT]

As a route salesman for a Dallas/Ft. Worth vending company, I was filling the Coke machine in the Parkland Hospital cafeteria about a half hour before the motorcade rolled in. I was planning to stay and have lunch but the Friday special was liver and onions, and I NEVER order organ meat in a hospital cafeteria. If roast chicken had been the special, I would have been there when Kennedy arrived. By the way, I had filled the Coke machine in the lunchroom of the Texas School Book Depository that morning. That means that if the conspiracy theorists are correct and Lee Harvey Oswald was indeed in the cafeteria drinking a Coke moments after the assassination, it was placed in the machine by Yours Truly. The company I worked for closed early that day in observance of the national tragedy, so over the weekend, I had to make up the stops I didn't get to - including the Dallas Police Headquarters, which wasn't accepting deliveries on Saturday, so I postponed that one until Sunday. I'd just pulled my truck into the parking garage on Sunday when I spotted one of my regular customers, Jack Ruby -owner of the Carousel Nightclub where we had a couple of machines. He waved to me as I drove past. He was on his way on foot to somewhere in the garage.

[@thehaughtcorner]

Sorry, but the assassination was on FRIDAY, not Thursday.

[@MrRKWRIGHT]

@@thehaughtcorner Oh that's right. It's been so long ago, I guess my memory is starting to fail me. Now that I remember it, liver and onions was indeed the Friday lunch special. Thinking back, if I remember correctly, the Thursday lunch special was usually a tuna melt.

[@orchunter8388]

Id like to buy the world a coke and keep it com pany 🎶

[@MrRKWRIGHT]

@@orchunter8388 😊

[@knowmusicman157]

In North Texas, we used Coke as a generic term for any kind of carbonated drink. A Coke machine might have several different kinds of drinks. Flavors.

[@stevehoffelt6938]

Watched this man on live television, as Oswald was shot, moments forever to be etched in my memory, as a 17 year old high school student. Thank you for this remarkable interview.

[@benkrauz725]

What a hero the only thing I heard that I don't believe is that he saw the gun and Ruby before he shot if you watch the video he was looking to the right as Ruby approached on his left and 2 other officers grab Ruby before Jim reached for him. Still this man acted quickly and professionally he didn't even flinch with a gun being shot 1 ft from him incredible

[@pmccoy8924]

@@benkrauz725 He saw it. Proof is this photo. commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ruby_shoots_Oswald.jpg#/media/File:Ruby_shoots_Oswald.jpg

[@Maximus5775]

I’m 17 right now it’s crazy to think about we grew up in completely different times But I love learning about history It teaches you life lessons thanks for sharing 🤝

[@JamesBond-uz2dm]

I was twelve years old, watching this with my parents. The feeling I had is something I will never forget. It was something or someone else was involved in the killing of JFK. The man who killed JFK was just killed. I asked my parents what was happening. My mother said something is wrong.

[@rebeccamoore6965]

Me too. Same age. Awesome to see a piece of history. All live.

[@carguy1979]

Wow, he was 95 at the time of this interview. He aged really well. I hope I’m that sharp if I make it to that age. Great interview.

[@easyabc1404]

I'M F... and F... TIRED of seeing Jim Leveale taking ALL the credit since 1963 because he was handcuffed to Oswald and all the interviews he gave. Detective L.C. Graves was ALSO there all the way grabbing Oswald's right arm. And it's detective L.C. Graves who wrestle to take the gun to Ruby's hand. All on tv and photos. Tired of Leveale and his brand new suit. We don't have interviews from L.C. Graves. He died in 1995 but he is as famous as Leveale... Maybe more because it's him who wrestle Ruby. Not the F... Leveale...

[@hooligan2005]

@@easyabc1404 Maybe Graves is camera shy and is OK with Leveale doing the interviews.

[@miltonhollis703]

@@easyabc1404 Mmm do I denote something like a small amount of Jealousy in your comment' or an Ax to grind ABC.... Such and usually and mysterious Thought pattern in your comment??? Surely this Gentleman not in involved In some of the corruption Dallas police officers were known for.....

[@justintime753]

Same

[@LaptopLarry330]

In all of the photos and video footage of Lee Harvey Oswald’s assasination, the Deputy Sheriff with him always stood out. It is absolutely amazing that he is still alive today, and that someone took the time and effort to interview him. Thanks for sharing this very special, historic interview here on KZbin. :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

[@portiamatthews9654]

He passed away in 2019 at the age of 99. It's in the description under the title. I agree with you on someone taking the time to conduct an interview with him and sharing here on KZbin.

[@yodadf]

Actually he was a Dallas Police homicide detective.

[@theflixcapacitor1372]

Easier to find in a crowd if you needed to ​@wyattsaunders7731

[@jbock622]

I can’t imagine being involved in not one but two of the most shocking events in American history. Thank you Jim, for your service. And may you rest in God’s peace.

[@TheWaveGoodbye-Music]

He was at the bombing of tulsa?

[@Samanta-van-laar]

@J J Globe to many but goverment and people who work for them are not for us they for the rich and powerfull

[@Ginganinja247.]

@J J Globe probably because they deserved it

[@yourdaddy9622]

@jjglobe4706how many black people have killed other black people? Lay out all the statistics, not just the ones that build your soapbox to squawk from

[@yourdaddy9622]

@jjglobe4706 ah yes, can you tell me the companies they worked for? Or were they just thugs acting tough til the law said “nope”. “He was an angel!!!!!!….. who also had a lengthy criminal history….but he was an angelllll!!!!!” 🙄

[@jimrutherford2773]

A national treasure. Any person involved in this much history and his country's service, should be recognized.

[@davidhedrick7226]

My father was a DPD officer when this occurred. Dad was working nights at that time and was awakened by my Mother who was an off duty nurse at Parkland. Dad got up and listened to T.V. news for a bit and told my Mother that he was going to go ahead and get ready because he knew they would ALL be called in to work. DPD did just that about 2 minutes later.. Dad knew Jim Leavelle very good and always spoke highly of him. I was 3 months old at that time!! Those were crazy times!

[@dr.krinkleweldon5934]

Did your dad know JD Tippit, Jack Ruby, or any of the other main characters?

[@davidhedrick7226]

Dr. Krinkleweldon, Yes sir, he knew all of those you mentioned.

[@dr.krinkleweldon5934]

@@davidhedrick7226 Did your father have an opinion about who killed JFK? Was it the lone assassin LHO or multiple shooters?

[@roberttynski6850]

Why they walked Oswald through a crowd, why a crowd was even allowed to be there, makes you wonder if some in the government were culpable in Oswald's murder.

[@suestephan3255]

Sure does makes you wonder?????

[@davemargolis423]

Nope, just unbelievably incompetent. Oswald would've been safer in the Mayberry jail.

[@negativeindustrial]

Lol, you think? 😂

[@robertkoth4022]

Well hard to shot him a armor truck,remember Dallas police at this time were corrupt plus had most of these cases overturned

[@TheBrooklynbodine]

Forgive me if I'm being wordy, but I'll always wonder how Jack Ruby got to Oswald at the "right" moment. He claimed he was across the street (at a Western Union office) to wire money to one of his strippers. This allegedly occured about a minute before Oswald was brought downstairs. I also read that the time stamp on the money order corroroborated Mr. Ruby's statement. It seems plausible that he was in the basement for several minutes before he whacked Oswald. Ruby had almost unfettered access to Dallas Police headquarters, so it wouldn't be that much of a stretch that someone let him in.

[@JamesWilliams-ld2hq]

… like all o’y’all, I’ve seen many interviews over the years with this man.. He’s always struck me as such a kind, mature, professional, and respectful Texas gentleman.. we’re fortunate to have his accounts as a witness to history.

[@bobbysands6923]

The Big Hat Guy! Thank you for this post. This is the best way to study history--hear it from who was there. RIP Mr. Leavelle.

[@hawgbreath]

Thanks for conducting and posting this interview. It is so interesting to hear an eyewitness account of some of history’s most important moments. A big thank you to Mr. Leavelle for his service in WW2 and to the people of Dallas. RIP sir.

[@mftepera]

Classic Texas accent. I’ve lived in north and central Texas for 50 years and this accent is slowly dying it seems. Fascinating interview.

[@vipergtsmre]

Such an incredibly detailed memory, I can barely recall what I had for lunch.

[@fhowland]

Greatest generation. Real men. RIP.

[@denabergman6543]

Real men indeed. I miss that generation of men.

[@fhowland]

@@denabergman6543 me too. My dad was a wwii vet, navy. Passed away last July, age 95.

[@badmanskill1112]

Yes they were. But they also didn't fight against the enemy at home that has since taken over. JFK assassination, RFK and so many others were wiped out in a coup. RFK Jr tweeted this also December 17th 2022. So ya'll can stay asleep. 🙏

[@Yoseman1]

Someone needs to explain to me WHY this was "the greatest generation?" Simply because mainly The Soviet Union beat Germany?!?

[@tc3383]

This guy is a known liar who let a suspect I. The greatest killing in history die not only on his watch but handcuffed to him. Yeah what a hero as your daddy Donald says I like heroes who didn’t let their prisoners die.

[@Gandalf914]

This gentleman saw more in his lifetime than many people could experience in 10 lifetimes.

[@mafiamember6405]

Not really but you can think that

[@robertmakowski7808]

I was honored to meet investigator Leavelle when I worked for the Dallas PD. Better people don't exist...

[@jrbeckyhowell2987]

I met him once. I was in prison in 86-88 I was 18and in the kick it program where I went all over tx to high schools talking to them about what prison life was for someone their age. And he senting a request to have me go to some schools around Beaumont Winnie and port Arthur.. was a really good guy. He told us the story about being handcuffed to oswal. Was a really good history lesson.

[@mikeklassic78]

History must NEVER be forgotten...

[@stephenpritchard8787]

True, but history didn’t happen the way this man said it did.

[@patgiblinsongs5]

Thank you for interviewing Mr. Leavelle. Such a great witness to 2 of the biggest American events of the 20th century!

[@gphilipc2031]

RIP, Jim. My dad was Navy Reserve during WW2 active duty took him into the Gulf of Mexico on a "Six Bitter" (YP-14) patrol vessel which he trained on in New Orleans and then later to the Philippines ... He was a Chief Petty Officer. Love you Dad, RIP and I WILL see you on the other side.

[@easyabc1404]

I'M F... and F... TIRED of seeing Jim Leveale taking ALL the credit since 1963 because he was handcuffed to Oswald and all the interviews he gave. Detective L.C. Graves was ALSO there all the way grabbing Oswald's right arm. And it's detective L.C. Graves who wrestle to take the gun to Ruby's hand. All on tv and photos. Tired of Leveale and his brand new suit. We don't have interviews from L.C. Graves. He died in 1995 but he is as famous as Leveale... Maybe more because it's him who wrestle Ruby. Not the F... Leveale...

[@porkyfedwell]

My dad was USN captain of a supply vessel based in Honolulu 1943-45, he was 22 in '43.

[@porkyfedwell]

@@easyabc1404 Let it go, dude.

[@theculturedthug6609]

@@easyabc1404 Well if he was still alive in the Internet era I suppose he would do this kind of stuff like this dude.

[@joanneloesner1264]

I remember that entire weekend so vividly. I was 16 at the time. Friday afternoon the announcement came over the PA system that Kennedy was shot and we were all dismissed I can't remember another time, other than 911 when EVERYONE was so united in shock and grief. I was watching the TV on Sunday with friends and family when suddenly.without warning Oswald was shot right there live on camera. The shock of that moment has remained with me my entire life.

[@robertchastain2353]

I've watched the "perp walk" of Oswald so many times over the years. So many people allowed to be so close to the alleged assassin of the President. Also how slowly they were walking down the hallway, almost setting up and waiting for Ruby to do his thing. Very strange.

[@spacepope-1]

And they had Kennedy in a convertible, with no bullet proof helmet or nuthin! And rifles had recently been invented a few hundred years earlier! WHAT WERE THEY TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH #stupidconspiracies

[@BULL.173]

I have yet to hear a reasonable explanation as to how Ruby got into that garage in the first place. This was a guy who was supposedly about to be charged with the assassination of a President. The guy who shot James Garfield had better police protection than Oswald.

[@alfredobracero8314]

It was all a false flag operation, orquestrated by the government, Just like the asasination of M.L.K. and Robert Kenedy.....neither Oswald, Sirhan or James Earl Ray, comitéd those murders.....

[@fayeking5066]

That was the way things were back then. Things have changed.

[@robertchastain2353]

Sorry Faye, but the president just got shot, got your suspect, you gonna slow walk him through a crowd? Give me a break, don't care if you think timed were different back then. I'm 69, remember the day. And even thought, how strange.

[@Me2Lancer]

When JFK was shot I was picking up medical records at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center prior to returning home to Dallas and listened to the live news of the shooting. The Navy booked me on a passenger train for the trip to Dallas. On Sunday afternoon as my train passed through east Dallas, we stopped on a railroad siding waiting for permission to continue on to the train station next to Dealy Plaza. We learned later the delay was the result of Oswald's shooting by Jack Ruby.

[@tonyl55]

What a life people like him don't exist anymore. What a legend. If only we had more like him now. Lots of love old fella. Xx

[@cellpat2686]

I know that deputy lived a long life. He was shocked and totally caught off guard by that gunshot, his reaction forever captured on that photo. Lucky for him Ruby didn't shoot him too.

[@dalehammond1704]

This elderly gentleman sure had all his stories well rehearsed and memorized.

[@JohnnySalMusic1]

Yes...But I'm not sure he spotted the gun Ruby was holding on the side of his leg with everything going on.

[@FuzzyWuzzy75]

Rest in peace Officer Tippit, the tragedy of his death gets overshadowed by the JFK assassination but that doesn't mean it was any less of a tragedy.

[@johnyblandofoz952]

JFK and Tippit where murdered that day!!! WHO IS RESPONSIBLE???

[@peter5.056]

the killing of JFK was so significant, because he had become personified, the hopes and dreams of an entire species.

[@HardCold-Alquan]

Tippit was a traitor involved in the coup, and he got what he deserved.

[@FuzzyWuzzy75]

@@peter5.056 huh?

[@badmanskill1112]

Officer Tippet was a tragedy but you can't compare it to JFK. The man prevented nuclear war, with his whole deep state pressuring him to go to war with USSR. Him and Khrushchev wanted peace and were discussing disarmament through back channels before they were both removed by their deep states.

[@kylesummers1565]

I think I learned as much in this video as I did in all the documentaries that I've watched about it. Peace, Love!!

[@paulaharrisbaca4851]

Holy cats. Leavelle was in the military when my dad joined the Navy in 1938-39. My dad was at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked (but he obviously wasn't on the Arizona! He was on the USS Tangier, a seaplane tender, down in the engine room, where he was locked in, when they did that to keep a ship's engine room from being flooded if the ship got hit, but no one ever expected that in 1941. He thought the alerts and the explosions he heard were just one of those drills. They boogied it out of Pearl Harbor before the channel got blocked by the bigger ships although the Nevada beached herself so the other ships could get out... but my dad's ship got out before the Nevada was struggling to beach herself... trying to get out to sea, but my dad didn't have a clue what was going on...) My father was very amused that I was so impressed by him being at Pearl. I recall him laughing and exchanging glances with my older siblings (hippies, I was 6 at the time at Christmas when this daddy-daughter conversation took place. He was just like thinking it was no big deal. But he later joined the Pearl Harbor Survivor Club and went every year to Pearl Harbor reunions. I guess he felt maybe it was worth something after all if his littlest kid thought it was so awesome.)

[@FlameBlue9016]

Thank you for your service! We appreciate what you’ve done for our Country, many times over.

[@stansmith3509]

Got to love how Oswald left every bit of evidence that could convict him.

[@BULL.173]

Yeah, I mean say what you want about the guy. Oswald did everyone involved a real solid by leaving all that awesome evidence. Move along folks, nothing to see here.

[@ericgrimm312]

No mention of other eyewitness accounts?

[@miltonhollis703]

I would have too say this is an excellent video....I'm 77 year's old And seen this Dallas Detective for Fifty years and his expression on his Face always etched in my brain after Seeing his expression after Jack Ruby assassination....Never knew his Back ground or what ever happened too Him after all those year's...... This video was simply amazing and extremely Rivivting....I was 18 at the time an hopefully 🙏 I'll live long enough TO KNOW THE TRUTH On JOHN F KENNEDY Assassination"

[@peggypieters661]

Saw him actually get shot live on tv as a 12 year old; will never forget that.

[@francesacoy4730]

Better than reading a book, hearing his eye witness story. THANK YOU.

[@ianclarke3627]

He didn't react until the shot rang out , infact he was looking the other way like all the other law enforcement were.

[@worldtourmaster]

Exactly. The photo taken the split second before oswald was shot shows Ruby with his gun drawn in right hand and everyone, including leavelle seems to be oblivious. If leavelle saw ruby with his gun in his left hand you would think he wouldn't have taken his eyes off him or pulled oswald behind him then and gotten another officer involved to stop ruby. But that didn't happen.

[@BillyBob-wq9fl]

Its all freemason oath stories.

[@porkyfedwell]

People often recall things differently than they occurred. It doesn't mean they're evil, it's just how the human mind works.

[@ianclarke3627]

@@porkyfedwell hmm.. I'm sure he's seen the video too ? It's akin to Dan Rather saying the opposite of to the left and back

[@bkwil6078]

That's because they knew exactly what was going to happen it was a setup

[@davidswift7776]

My Dad and I were watching the event live. I just turned 11. My dad just passed at 91 and we discussed this event many times with astonishment. Simply incredible that Ruby could have had such easy access. Fascinating interview , thank you for the KZbin post .

[@scottvaughn7062]

Because he was given access!! Remember he kept saying he was a "Patsy" they had to keep him quiet!!

[@scottvaughn7062]

I too was 11 at the time but... my intuition told me something wasn't right!! Also, He's misinformed or downright lying because he was told to!! Many different witnesses testified that Oswald and Tibbet could not have been seen together because the Timeline doesn't line up!! See testimony about the station wagon with 4 men inside that Tibbit questioned!! Witnesses testified about an agitated Tibbit was seen pulling cars over!! Oswald was on foot??

[@lesleeherschfus707]

These are the stories that make history so fascinating. Thank you. Please make more!!

[@Anonymous-it5jw]

This was a great interview. When a person been under live fire in wartime, particularly during the Pearl Harbor sneak attack, and involved in rescuing pilots who didn't make successful aircraft carrier landings because of snatch cable failures, etc., and is a person has had police training and made detective, and then spent years dealing with sketchy, homicidal people, you have a man who will react without hesitation under pressure and who isn't paralyzed with fear because he's in a spot where someone might shoot him in the next 2 or 3 seconds. Fear for his own safety was never a consideration in doing his duty.

[@anthonyangeli256]

Never trust a cop. Dallas cops were in on it. Read about Tippit.

[@oldfogey4679]

Anonymous it wasn't a sneak attack! Shame on the us gov for saying so! The Japanese ambassador to wash dc tried to give his war declaration to some office in DC that was closing! Some say fdr knew and used the attack to move a reluctant public into the war! He probably did know!

[@oldfogey4679]

Anonymous yes the soldiers and public w event forewarned about the attack but the gov knew!

[@badmanskill1112]

Pearl Harbor was only a steak attack to us minions. The higher ups knew it was coming but allowed it to happen so the public would be manipulated in supporting for another war.

[@tammyfoster6223]

great comment

[@davidsimmons3391]

When have you ever seen law enforcement handcuff themselves to a criminal? This made Oswald an easy target with no chance to escape

[@newlycreated1864]

Oswald was killed without given a trial. What were they all trying to hide?

[@Samanta-van-laar]

@@newlycreated1864 the fact he was not the only one or mabey he never did it at all

[@BULL.173]

Well, it does sort of make sense. I mean, when you want to make sure the guy about to be shot is properly positioned to accept the lead. Can't have him ducking or diving.

[@butterbeanqueen8148]

@@newlycreated1864that he was set up.

[@andrewkimball2925]

0:05 you did what lol

[@Johnny-mq3mo]

😂

[@csbsdunbar]

I have never heard this man's testimony. Excellent video!

[@shannonelliott6116]

That is one smart man. Love hearing his stories. So unfortunate his generation is quickly going away.

[@farmerjohn6526]

The police were protecting Oswald by putting him out front. Great.

[@elahward01]

@Farmer John great.

[@donyoung7874]

Had anything like that ever happened before? Live and learn.

[@jimrutherford2773]

@@elahward01 you are ignorant. Farmers in Washington, Oregon, and California sound like him?

[@Pugkin5405]

@@donyoung7874 Doesn't apply to everything Sometimes common sense works better

[@BULL.173]

@@donyoung7874 Uhh, yeah...three times to be exact. The guy who shot James Garfield had better police protection. He at least made it to trial.

[@raqialife9286]

Where was this police officer when a man w a gun got into the police station near the man who was charged w shooting the president while he was being transferred. Also amazing.

[@davidb8397]

He was inside the police station getting ready to bring Oswald out to be transferred to another location. The shooting of Oswald did not take place inside the police station but in the basement where he was going to be put in a car. There was a lot of reporters there and Ruby had mixed in with them. I dont know about all of that policeman story about how he knew what was about to happen, he seemed just as surprised as everyone else.

[@irgski]

Very detailed recollections. Why did the DPD allow all the press and Ruby into the police basement?

[@Sshooter444]

Freedom of the Press. Ruby just slipped in with them. They do the same thing today with the "Perp Walk"

[@stephenpritchard8787]

It’s not like the DPD during this time were extremely corrupt. Ruby was just another lone nut in Dallas in 1963. If you believe what your government tells you.

[@robert2628]

so, why wasn't such an important place (especially inside a police station) Not Secured ?

[@slickazz9707]

Inside job probably. Their really good @ it haven't you noticed. Despicable lying bastards!!

[@flyersluver4eva]

His killing was well planned. The video shows the officers all expected that

[@carpecervisiam9366]

We need more investigators like him, logical & cool under pressure

[@easyabc1404]

I'M F... and F... TIRED of seeing Jim Leveale taking ALL the credit since 1963 because he was handcuffed to Oswald and all the interviews he gave. Detective L.C. Graves was ALSO there all the way grabbing Oswald's right arm. And it's detective L.C. Graves who wrestle to take the gun to Ruby's hand. All on tv and photos. Tired of Leveale and his brand new suit. We don't have interviews from L.C. Graves. He died in 1995 but he is as famous as Leveale... Maybe more because it's him who wrestle Ruby. Not the F... Leveale...

[@garethowen8730]

you know he couldn't keep the prime suspect in the Killing of a president alive for even 48 hours Right?

[@billbosward9798]

Amazing information from this man on an historic event in history thank you for capturing this!

[@trainman1209]

Thank you for your Service to our Country, Mr. Leavelle...and especially your Autograph, 11/22/93. I was impressed you wore the same suit when Oswald was shot.

[@bRad-ns6iy]

Fascinating to hear a first hand account of history! Thank you for sharing your story!

[@TheCousinEddie]

Did you know that the late singer Meatloaf was a witness to events that occurred 11/22/1963? There's a great video of him discussing his involvement.

[@gingerdurbin2726]

Excellent! I’m so glad this was recorded for posterity. I have always wondered who “that guy” was

[@perkar49]

The real killers had to silence him..

[@denabergman6543]

R.I.P. Mr. Leavelle. You were a true American hero. Godspeed.

[@PSYCHIC_PSYCHO]

Fartspeed

[@garywatt4546]

One question that all interviewers fail to ask is: If Oswald was arrested and questioned at police headquarters on suspicion of killing a police officer, why weren’t there any notes taken, as no transcripts were recorded of what was said in these initial interviews. If it would have gone to court, his lawyer would have got Oswald off because the officers did a woeful job in not recording or taking notes of these early interviews. I would have thought if they were questioning him for shooting a fellow officer they would have followed everything by the letter to make sure he couldn’t get off on any kind of technicality. Their handling of things at police headquarters was terribly flawed, and made them look like a bunch of amateurs. How many times were suspects questioned about a murder in Dallas and everything was followed correctly…having a stenographer present taking short-hand notes and being able to provide transcripts of those interrogations? I would say EVERY time…except only on this particular occasion. Why? Unfortunately the whole (real) story will never be known.

[@TitaniumTurbine]

This was 1963. Investigations didn’t work like that, additionally - there were Dallas PD notes about the arrest and they have been released along with other JFK related files.

[@violetdaze7007]

Bless your heart! Thank you so so much for your service to our country sir. Every single veteran should be protected now, just as they protected this country, and its disgraceful the way they actually are treated! God bless you and yours sir ✌❤😇

[@williamdrijver4141]

Amazing first hand witness. 20th century comes alive thanks to such testimonies! Greatest respect for Mr Leavelle.

[@afellowamericanafellowamer5317]

I was just a kid when we watched Jack Ruby step up and shoot Oswald in real time. Young as I was i knew this was some kind of set up.

[@francisphair8986]

Same as me. Just a very little boy. My earliest memory of something live on t.v.

[@TheTotallyRealXiJinping]

This channel is a look into the cracks of history books, humanizing so many stories

[@wesinman2312]

I was 9 when JFK was assassinated, and missed Oswald getting shot by seconds. I had just walked into a friend's house and walked in front of their TV the moment the shooting happened. My friend and his mom were watching the proceeding and yelled for me to get out of the way, I was blocking their view. I turned to see all the police officers wrestling Ruby to the floor. Even as a boy I realized something was wrong, how do you shoot someone in a police station with dozens of policemen? So, I have always believed they were silencing Oswald and that others were involved. Still believe that. I have always remembered this man, but didn't know anything about him until this video. Thank you so much for your service Sir. My ex's father was at Hickam Field that day, but he died before I ever had a chance to meet him, loved to have asked him about his experience.

[@wc477]

Oswald would have made trial if not for a probable conspiracy. That whole police dept couldn't keep an intruder from shooting Oswald I doubt it.

[@Dan.50]

Who's the genius that decided that it was a good idea to walk the most hated man on earth out through a public crowd?

[@WindTurbineSyndrome]

Law enforcement are more careful today.

[@alimerhi5531]

I always remember him with his eyes wide open when he spots Ruby. The photo says it all

[@easyabc1404]

I'M F... and F... TIRED of seeing Jim Leveale taking ALL the credit since 1963 because he was handcuffed to Oswald and all the interviews he gave. Detective L.C. Graves was ALSO there all the way grabbing Oswald's right arm. And it's detective L.C. Graves who wrestle to take the gun to Ruby's hand. All on tv and photos. Tired of Leveale and his brand new suit. We don't have interviews from L.C. Graves. He died in 1995 but he is as famous as Leveale... Maybe more because it's him who wrestle Ruby. Not the F... Leveale...

[@giraffesareselfish9563]

@@easyabc1404 we heard you the first time

[@easyabc1404]

@@giraffesareselfish9563 Yeah but MANY are deaf...

[@giraffesareselfish9563]

@@easyabc1404 we heard you the first time

[@highpockets2376]

The real question is why the news camera was even there at that moment? It was quite a big deal to set up a live broadcast in 1963 but somehow the news camera crew managed to be in the right place at the right time with an unobstructed view for America..I didnt see a single cop(actor) make the slightest move to "protect" LHO.

[@jasonbuck489]

This is a pretty good channel!... I love these stories!.... And this type of History, basically "Word of Mouth" History that is right from the source, from the people that were actually there.... Damn, you just can't beat it!.... The one thing that younger generations need to remember and have respect for currently is our Older People!.... I'm pushing 50 years old and when I refer to "old people", I'm talking about people in their late 70's on up.... THEY LITERALLY SAVED THE WORLD!..... My Grandpa told me once that "You have no clue how bad it was and how close we came to needing to learn and speak Japanese or German"...

[@phild8095]

Just another reminder that Oswald never went to trial.

[@spindriftbeach6082]

Hoover hated the Kennedys and he had the resources to pull this off, more so than the CIA or Mafia and Russia

[@Tigerfire75]

Why did they have a guard to the right, left, and behind but none in front of Oswald? Why did they come out before the car was in place? Why didn't the put him in the waiting car and rush him to the hospital after being shot? Why did they drag him back inside and perform medical treatment that was guaranteed to speed up his death?

[@MP-tf7cc]

The man next to LHO, the only man with a light colored suit. The easier for JR to spot in a crowded area with bad lighting.

[@paulvalentine1483]

A great man. Rest in peace, Sir.

[@joeylocognato2198]

Being born in July of 96, I can't tell you how fascinating this is to me.

[@spacepope-1]

Cool Joey, what other personal information would you like to submit on KZbin? Social Security Number maybe?

[@cheaplaughkennedy2318]

A setup from the start.

[@Audiofreak71]

Wow what a story from his perspective, good stuff and thanks for sharing.

[@columbmurray]

I'm 80 years. Remember walking in Glasgow , Scotland , when Kennedy was shot ( like yesterday) when the people in the street said Kennedy had been shot. I rushed home , like everyone else , expecting nuclear war to start any minute.

[@ricovali9245]

He would occasionally make appearances at the 6th Floor Museum, Tippet family members would be in the audience and heckle him when he stated he believed Oswald killed Officer Tippit and was the lone assassin.

[@FOTAP97]

Yeah, although he’s an interesting man he seems a little too soaked in The Lie. But what would you expect from a true DPD insider?

[@ricovali9245]

@@FOTAP97 i attended an event at the 6th Floor Museum. The forum was actually held the floor above it where he was to make an appearance and i only went to get his autograph(for a price). When i heard the heckling(intermingled with four letter words)as he identified them as Tippits family members and that they always follow him where ever he makes appearances, Tippits wife was still alive at the time. Unfortunately no one was allowed to record the event.

[@jeffreylc]

So who do the conspiracy theorists claim killed Tippits if not Oswald??? Why heckle Leavelle?

[@FOTAP97]

@@jeffreylc the fullest answer probably comes from Joseph McBride’s carefully researched book Into the Nightmare: My Search for the Killers of President John F Kennedy and Officer JD Tippit. There are several interviews of him posted to KZbin as well.

[@janetphillips2875]

The family dont believe Oswald did it then? I dont either, but I never knew they didnt.

[@bardmadsen6956]

That was a great account, thanks, just from the nuances within reminded me of Texas in the 1960's. I have lived there many times and returned for a number of trips just before this last stunt and it is a whole different scene. There is an intersection next to a childhood area that was a single paved road and the other dirt, today it towers the area with something like eight overpasses high. I was in Dallas also and it was strange the amount of immigrants from the other side of the world, I ran into a guy in a huge store and he was laughing that he found me there, I felt the same surreal feeling, what was really wild was the diametric driving, people who drive reckless and the petrified. Reminded me of LA!

[@bobbys4327]

Tying up loose ends for LBJ

[@BomChickyBowWow]

I’ve seen that picture my whole life and I never in a million years would’ve guessed “white hat guy” was still alive. He looked to be 40 back in the 1960s.

[@sanctifiedandsaved5298]

thanks for your lifelong contributions to your country

[@elahward01]

@Sanctified and Saved Hello, how are you doing?

[@99z28atl]

Aquila Clemons saw a short stocky male standing over tippets reloading. She was never interviewed but threatened two days later by a guy wearing a gun if she said anything

[@TheStevelargent]

We had the pleasure of Jim and his wife Tim for Thanksgiving. He was a friend of my father in laws.

[@TheStevelargent]

Now that he has passed I can say this… He told me he worked for the Secret Service in a job where he would fly around in planes full of money as a guard. This was after the assassination. I looked using Google and never found a reference to this job. Seemed strange. Mr. Leavelle is a very well documented person.

[@TheStevelargent]

He told me personally he thinks Oswald did it. I have doubts.

[@WindTurbineSyndrome]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@jamiemoffatt50]

They had a full description of Oswald when he was crouched behind a pile of boxes? Height, weight, age, hair and eye color? Incredible for 6 floors up and behind a pile of boxes!?! I smell bullshit!

[@john1198]

Part of the unfortunate chain of events . Oswald will be proven innocent in the future and he I think he knows that

[@whelmo14]

Man this guy has an awesome memory. Im younger than him and I cant remember to tie my shoes.

[@BillyBob-wq9fl]

Yeah he memorized his official story well. If he had deviated .. he wouldnt be alive still.

[@AndrewGrey22]

Ruby died 55 years ago today, January 3 2023.

[@stephenpritchard8787]

Funny, the witnesses didn’t describe the Tippit shooting that way.

[@bigskygemsmontana9464]

Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone. 😳

[@DavianSinner]

No, he did not. Space aliens that Kennedy double-crossed zapped JFK with their ray guns.

[@newlycreated1864]

I don't think it was Lee Harvey Oswald that did it, at all. The narrative is a bunch of lies more often than not.

[@randallreid424]

This is an amazing incredible human being, most of us will never be remembered past our grandchildren if we’re lucky enough and this man will be remembered for as long as the earth spins just incredible

[@reachardegg4226]

This man , I'm sure was sure what he believed. Having spent 4 years in the USN, I know as a young man I did what I was told and was taught not to question authority, but to respect authority, bieng my superiors. I'm older and question much more now. Thank you.

[@coltechhomes3193]

There's no honor in serving the devil but there is great honor in serving the Lord

[@bradley6630]

Hail Satan. He is fun

[@siberia1409]

I actually had the pleasure of meeting this man at the Dallas County Courthouse in 2002.

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

What an interesting man and an interesting interview. I remember seeing him grimace when Oswald was shot.. on the film when I was just a kid.. My father actually showed me that stuff and I was like 6 years old and my father said you don't understand now, but this is going to be history someday! He was right!

[@mineown1861]

What a life story , so eloquently told it's hard to believe he is 95 .

[@scottengh1175]

For a civilian to be in that garage during a prisoner movement is outrageous. Lee Harvey Oswald worked for and had relationship with the Jack Ruby. Ruby was a organized crime guy with many bribes to police. The whole story is fraught with twists and inconsistencies.

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

I always thought Ruby knew he had cancer before he shot Oswald. I did not know he was diagnosed after the shooting.

[@slappy8941]

He had to already know he was a dead man, otherwise they would have sent somebody else to pull the trigger. It was his last act of obedience to the mob.

[@easyabc1404]

@@slappy8941 OH YEAH?????? Sending somebody ELSE in a police station packed with cops, reporters, cameras, etc. Who is dumb enough to go there? He was threaten to die if he didn't go? I would have run either to another big city, Mexico or Canada. He knew he would be arrested, booked, charged, convicted and grilled on the chair. Must have been desperate... He was a patsy as well. After six months in jail if the government didn't release me, i would have talked and even singed!!! Not going down alone...

[@enriquemireles8947]

@@easyabc1404 he had a brother and a sister, was probably threatened with their lives.

[@mr.g1758]

I read an account that someone went into his cell and injected him with a cancerous syringe. Don't know but he wasn't meant to talk.

[@dbarker7794]

There's the theory that Ruby was injected with cancer while he was in jail using a substance invented by the CIA.

[@georgehorner1578]

And you knew he was coming.