Mr. Hubert.

This is the deposition of B. H. Combest. Mr. Combest, my name is Leon D. Hubert, and I am a member of the advisory staff of the general counsel of the President's Commission. Under the provisions of Executive Order 11130, dated November 29, 1963, joint resolution of Congress No. 137, and the rules of procedure adopted by the President's Commission in conformance with the Executive order and the joint resolution I have been authorized to take a sworn deposition from you.
I state to you that the general nature of the Commission's inquiry is to ascertain, evaluate, and report upon the facts relating to the assassination of President Kennedy and the subsequent violent death of Lee Harvey Oswald. In particular as to you, Mr. Combest, the nature of the inquiry today is to determine what facts you know about the death of Oswald and any other pertinent facts you may know about the general inquiry. Mr. Combest, you appeared here today by virtue of a general request made to your Chief Curry by Mr. J. Lee Rankin, general counsel on the staff of the President's Commission. Under the rules adopted by the Commission, you are entitled to a 3-day written notice prior to the taking of the deposition, but the rules, however, also provide that a witness may waive this notice. Are you willing now to waive the 3-day notice?

Mr. Combest.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

Will you raise your right hand to be sworn, please?

Mr. Combest.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Mr. Combest.

Yes.

Mr. Hubert.

Will you please state your name, sir?

Mr. Combest.

Billy H. Combest.

Mr. Hubert.

Now, your name is Billy and not William ?

Mr. Combest.

Yes, sir; it is Billy.

Mr. Hubert.

And your age?

Mr. Combest.

Thirty-three.

Mr. Hubert.

Where do you reside, sir?

Mr. Combest.

2803 Linhaven, Mesquite, Tex.

Mr. Hubert.

Mesquite, Tex.

Mr. Combest.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

What is your occupation, sir?

Mr. Combest.

Detective for the city of Dallas Police Department.

Mr. Hubert.

And how long have you been so employed ?

Mr. Combest.

With the department a little over 9 years. I have been a detective about 4 years.

Mr. Hubert.

Were you on duty on Sunday, November 24th, 19637

Mr. Combest.

Yes, sir, I was.

Mr. Hubert.

Was that one of your regular working days or had you been called in specially?

Mr. Combest.

No, my regular working day.

Mr. Hubert.

Do you know Jack Ruby?

Mr. Combest.

Yes, sir; I did.

Mr. Hubert.

How well did you know him ?

Mr. Combest.

Well, I knew him very well by sight. I had seen him numerous occasions before, over a period of approximately 4, 4 1/2 years. I knew him through business with the checking his location for violations, routine checks by the police.

Mr. Hubert.

Would there be any doubt that you would recognize him as soon as you saw him?

Mr. Combest.

No, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

You would recognize him even in a crowd of people ?

Mr. Combest.

Yes, sir; I would have.

Mr. Hubert.

Would it make any difference in your recognition if he had a hat on or not ?

Mr. Combest.

No, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

Now, Mr. Combest, I ask you to identify some documents and in order for the record to show that we are talking about the same thing, I am going to mark them. I now mark what appears to be a copy of a letter