Testimony of Eugene Boone

The Chairman.

Sit right down, Mr. Boone.

Senator Cooper.

Senator COOPER. The purpose of this hearing is to hear the testimony of M. L. Baker, Mrs. R. A. Reid, Eugene Boone, Luke Mooney, and M. N. McDonald. Officer Baker and Mrs. Reid were in the vicinity of the Texas School Book Depository Building at the time of the assassination. Deputy Sheriffs Boone and Mooney assisted in the search of the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository Building shortly after the assassination, and Officer McDonald apprehended Lee Harvey Oswald at the Texas theatre.
Will you be sworn? Do you solemnly swear the testimony you are about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Mr. Boone.

I do.

Senator Cooper.

You understand the purpose of this inquiry?

Mr. Boone.

Yes, sir.

Senator Cooper.

You have come here voluntarily to testify?

Mr. Boone.

Yes.

Senator Cooper.

Do you have a counsel with you?

Mr. Boone.

No.

Senator Cooper.

Do you desire one?

Mr. Boone.

No.

Mr. Ball.

What is your business?

Mr. Boone.

I am a deputy sheriff in or for the county of Dallas.

Mr. Ball.

How long have you been a deputy sheriff?

Mr. Boone.

A year and a half.

Mr. Ball.

Where were you born?

Mr. Boone.

Dallas, Tex.

Mr. Ball.

Go to school there?

Mr. Boone.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Ball.

How far through school did you go?

Mr. Boone.

High school.

Mr. Ball.

In Dallas?

Mr. Boone.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Ball.

What did you do after you got out of school?

Mr. Boone.

I was working with the Dallas Times Herald Newspaper there, in the advertising department.

Mr. Ball.

How long did you work there?

Mr. Boone.

Well, I worked there part time when I was going to school, up until the time I quit, 8 years.

Mr. Ball.

Is that the time you went with the sheriff's office?

Mr. Boone.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Ball.

How old are you?

Mr. Boone.

Twenty-six.

Mr. Ball.

On the 22d of November, where were you working?

Mr. Boone.

I was working downtown. I was out viewing the parade.

Mr. Ball.

Where did you view the parade?

Mr. Boone.

Right in front of the sheriff's office.

Mr. Ball.

Had you been assigned a place, a job that day?

Mr. Boone.

No.

Mr. Ball.

You were out in front of the sheriff's office on Main Street?

Mr. Boone.

That is correct.

Mr. Ball.

Near Houston?

Mr. Boone.

Yes.

Mr. Ball.

And who were you with?

Mr. Boone.

Officer Mooney was out there, I believe, and several of the office personnel, women in the office, clerk-typist and what have you. Ralph Walters, Buddy Walthers, Allen Sweatt, L. C. Smith. Officer Gramstaff. That is about all I can remember.

Mr. Ball.

What happened there?

Mr. Boone.

Well, it was approximately 1 o'clock when we heard the shots. The motorcade had already passed by us and turned back to the north on