Oswald’s Jail Office Exit
As Pierce’s car started up the ramp at about 11:20 a.m., Oswald, accompanied by Captain Fritz and four detectives, arrived at the jail office. Cameramen in the basement hallway took pictures of Oswald through the interior glass windows of the jail office as he was led through to the exit. Some cameramen ran through the double doors near the jail office and squeezed into the line which had formed across the Main Street ramp, while others remained just inside the double doors or proceeded through after Oswald and his escort emerged. When Fritz came to the jail office door, he asked if everything was ready, and a detective answered yes. Someone shouted “Here he comes!”; additional spotlights were turned on. A detective stepped from the jail office toward the transfer car, followed by Fritz, then Oswald with Detective Leavelle at his right, Detective L. C. Graves at his left, and Detective L. D. Montgomery at his rear. Newsmen near the double door moved forward. Detective Montgomery stated that “as soon as we came out this door this bunch here just moved in on us.” Detective B. H. Combest described the newsmen pushing forward, poking sound mikes and flashbulbs at Oswald.
Jack Ruby’s Fatal Shooting of Oswald
After Oswald had moved about 10 feet from the door of the jail office, Jack Ruby passed between a newsman and a detective at the edge of the straining crowd on the Main Street ramp. With his right hand extended and holding a .38 caliber revolver, Ruby stepped quickly forward and fired a single fatal bullet into Oswald’s abdomen.
Speculated Police Assistance to Ruby
The killing of Lee Harvey Oswald in the basement of police headquarters in the midst of more than 70 police officers gave rise to immediate speculation that one or more members of the police department provided Jack Ruby assistance which had enabled him to enter the basement and approach within a few feet of the accused Presidential assassin.
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