Timeframe of Oswald’s Movements to Encounter Tippit
Time tests conducted by investigative agencies and the Commission staff established that all of Oswald’s attributed movements between leaving the Depository and encountering Tippit could have been accomplished within the available time.
Oswald Stopped by Police When Leaving
The Commission found no witness who saw Oswald leave the building. The speculation likely arose from his encounter with Patrolman Baker in the lunchroom, where Truly identified him as an employee, allowing him to proceed. Police did not seal the building until several minutes after Oswald could have left.
Discrepancy in the Cabdriver’s Log
Cabdriver William Whaley’s log showed 12:30 p.m. for Oswald’s entry, but Whaley testified he was not accurate with time entries, typically logging at 15-minute intervals and sometimes several trips later. A bus transfer in Oswald’s possession was issued after 12:36 p.m. The Commission determined Oswald likely entered the cab around 12:47 or 12:48 p.m.
Travel Distance and Time to North Beckley
The Commission found the distance from the Greyhound terminal to where Oswald exited in the 700 block of North Beckley was less than 2.5 miles. Whaley testified the trip took 6 minutes, and Commission staff test runs under similar traffic conditions took approximately 5 minutes and 30 seconds. Walking from Beckley and Neely to 1026 North Beckley took staff 5 minutes and 45 seconds.
Oswald’s Destination and Jack Ruby
The Commission found no evidence that Oswald and Jack Ruby knew each other, had any relationship through third parties, or that Oswald knew where Ruby lived. There was no reason to believe Oswald was on his way to Ruby’s apartment when stopped by Tippit.
Murder of Patrolman Tippit
The Commission found that Tippit was unquestionably patrolling in the area directed by police headquarters. There was no evidence that Tippit and Oswald knew each other or had ever met. A description attributed to one eyewitness that didn’t fit Oswald was denied by her and unsupported by other witnesses.
Tippit Driving Alone
The Commission found that Dallas police policy required approximately 80 percent of day-shift patrolmen (7 a.m. to 3 p.m.) to work alone. Tippit was assigned to work alone that day, consistent with department policy rather than in violation of standing orders.
Tippit’s Patrol Sector Assignment
The Commission found that Tippit’s department file and radio log showed he was directed following the President’s shooting to move into and remain in the central Oak Cliff area for emergencies, not assigned to downtown Dallas at the time of the encounter.
Police Presence in the Oak Cliff Area
The Commission found that other police cars were operating in the Oak Cliff area at the same time as Tippit. These officers participated in the search and apprehension of Tippit’s slayer, contradicting the claim that police had been withdrawn from the area.
Tippit’s Radio Notification Procedure
The Commission found that the Dallas Police Department had no requirement or regulation requiring officers to notify headquarters when stopping to question a suspect. Therefore, Tippit did not violate any radio procedure in failing to notify the dispatcher when stopping Oswald.
Tippit Recognizing Oswald
The Commission found no certain way to know whether Tippit recognized Oswald from the radio description. The radio log showed the dispatcher noted a similarity between descriptions of the President’s assassin and Tippit’s slayer at 1:29 p.m. The Commission considered it conceivable and probable that Tippit stopped Oswald based on the broadcast description.
Prior Acquaintance Between Tippit and Oswald
The Commission found no evidence that Oswald and Tippit were acquainted, had ever seen each other, or had mutual acquaintances. Witnesses to the shooting observed no signs of recognition between the two men.
Time of Tippit’s Murder
The Commission established the shooting of Tippit at approximately 1:15 or 1:16 p.m. based on Domingo Benavides’s call to police headquarters on Tippit’s car radio. Mrs. Helen Markham’s estimate of just after 1:06 p.m. was found to be uncertain and inconsistent across her various statements and testimony.
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