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Historical Timeline
12:00–12:29 PM
Dallas Sheriff's Department
Pre Assassination Positions
• Sheriff J. E. (Bill) Decker:
o At the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, overseeing routine operations.
o Had earlier instructed deputies not to participate in motorcade security (a point noted in later analyses).
• Deputies Eddy Raymond “Buddy†Walthers, Eugene Boone, and Luke Mooney:
o Standing outside the Sheriff’s Office at Main & Houston, watching the motorcade approach Dealey Plaza.
12:30:00 PM
Law Enforcement Response
Shots Fired
• Sheriff's deputies (Walthers, Boone, Mooney) hear shots.
• Decker (in motorcade) hears shots but does not see origin.
12:30 PM
Dallas Sheriff's Department
Shots Fired
• Walthers:
o Hears the shots; immediately perceives them as coming from the Texas School Book Depository, not the railroad yard.
o Begins running toward the grassy knoll area and stockade fence with other deputies.
• Boone & Mooney:
o Hear the shots while near the Sheriff’s Office.
o Move rapidly toward Dealey Plaza, then toward the TSBD after initial confusion in the rail yard area.
• Decker:
o Inside the Sheriff’s Office; begins coordinating departmental response as reports of the shooting come in.
12:30:20 PM
Law Enforcement Response
Initial Reactions
• Walthers moves toward the Stemmons sign area.
• Boone begins running toward the TSBD.
• Mooney moves toward the building with other deputies.
• Decker orders deputies to "cover the building."
12:31 PM
Law Enforcement Response
TSBD Secured
• Deputies and DPD officers begin sealing exits.
• Walthers encounters Tague and notes curb damage.
12:31–12:35 PM
Dallas Sheriff's Department
Initial Search of Grassy Knoll & Rail Yard
• Walthers:
o Reaches the picket fence area behind the grassy knoll.
o Searches with other deputies; finds no shooter or weapon.
o Interviews James T. Tague, who was struck by debris from a missed shot.
• Boone & Mooney:
o Also search the rail yard and knoll area briefly before being redirected to the TSBD.
12:32–12:34 PM
Law Enforcement Response
Sixth Floor Search Begins
• Mooney, Boone, and other deputies begin systematic search.
• Officers split into teams to cover floors.
12:34–12:35 PM
Law Enforcement Response
Sniper's Nest Discovered
• Mooney finds the sniper's nest and three spent shells.
• Calls for additional officers.
12:36–12:37 PM
Law Enforcement Response
Rifle Discovered
• Boone and Weitzman locate the rifle in the northwest corner.
• DPD crime lab officers arrive shortly after.
12:36–12:50 PM
Dallas Sheriff's Department
Movement Toward the TSBD
• Boone & Mooney:
o Enter the TSBD as part of the first wave of deputies and DPD officers.
o Begin a floor by floor search, moving upward systematically.
• Walthers:
o Continues interviewing witnesses and examining the curb where Tague was hit.
o Does not enter the TSBD (confirmed in his WC testimony and later analyses).
• Decker:
o Directs deputies to assist DPD but remains in an administrative role.
12:40 PM
Law Enforcement Response
Evidence Processing Begins
• DPD photographs shells, boxes, rifle.
• Sheriff's deputies assist but do not handle evidence.
12:45–1:00 PM
Law Enforcement Response
Building Sweep Continues
• Deputies and DPD continue searching floors.
• Decker coordinates with DPD leadership.
12:50–1:22 PM
Dallas Sheriff's Department
Sixth Floor Search & Evidence Discovery
• Mooney:
o Reaches the sixth floor and discovers the sniper’s nest:
 Three spent cartridge cases
 Box arrangement forming a firing rest
 Vantage point over Elm Street
o Calls other officers to the scene.
• Boone:
o Assists Mooney in securing the area.
o At 1:22 PM, discovers the rifle hidden between boxes in the northwest corner of the sixth floor.
• Walthers:
o Still outside; continues witness interviews and curb examination.
• Decker:
o Receives updates from deputies; begins preparing for the later Oswald transfer procedures.
1:00 PM+
Law Enforcement Response
Evidence Transfer
• DPD takes custody of rifle, shells, paper bag.
• FBI notified; later takes possession.
1:30–3:00 PM
Dallas Sheriff's Department
Evidence Processing & Department Coordination
• Boone & Mooney:
o Remain on the sixth floor as DPD crime scene personnel arrive.
o Provide firsthand descriptions of the evidence and layout.
• Walthers:
o Files initial notes and continues field interviews.
• Decker:
o Coordinates with DPD leadership regarding custody of Oswald and jurisdictional responsibilities.
Evening
Dallas Sheriff's Department
Administrative Follow Up
• Walthers:
o Files a detailed supplementary report on his activities and witness interviews (later included in FBI files).
• Boone & Mooney:
o Provide statements and assist in evidence documentation.
• Decker:
o Begins internal review of deputy actions and prepares for Oswald’s upcoming transfer.
Media Gallery
BB Ad
BB Ad
Historical advertisement from the Warren Commission era
Brown v. Brown 1954
Brown v. Brown 1954
Reference to Brown v. Board of Education
General Walker
General Walker
Photograph of General Walker
EAW to Frank Church
EAW to Frank Church
Document from EAW to Frank Church
Hosty Reprimanded
Hosty Reprimanded
Memo regarding Hosty reprimand
JFK November 22-25, 1963
JFK November 22-25, 1963
Introduction, Description and Contents
Harry Dean
Harry Dean
Document regarding Harry Dean
Oswald has been Shot!
Oswald has been Shot!
News report document
The National Enquirer
The National Enquirer
National Enquirer related document
J. Edgar Hoover
J. Edgar Hoover
Testimony document
Walker Book 1
Walker Book 1
Walker testimony transcript
Yellow Roses
Yellow Roses
Testimony regarding yellow roses
CV MR84-49 Side A Dallas PD
CV MR84-49 Side A Dallas PD
Dallas Police Department audio recording
Lady Bird Johnson November 22 1963
Lady Bird Johnson November 22 1963
Audio diary of Lady Bird Johnson
LBJ Phone Call 10
LBJ Phone Call 10
President Johnson phone call recording
IFP97A
IFP97A
Archive video recording
IFP97C
IFP97C
Archive video recording
WHN17
WHN17
Archive video recording
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President John F. Kennedy's Civil Rights Address
President John F. Kennedy delivers his Civil Rights Address
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Lee Bowers - November 22, 1963
Witness testimony - Lee Bowers, November 22, 1963
Lee Bowers - November 22, 1963
Witness testimony - Lee Bowers, November 22, 1963
Media Gallery Active! Browse through photographs, documents, and audio recordings from the Warren Commission investigation. Click on items to view details.