Testimony of Marvin Johnson

The testimony of Marvin Johnson was taken at 4 p.m. on April 6, 1964, in the office of the U.S. attorney, 301 Post Office Building, Bryan and Ervay Streets, Dallas, Tex., by Mr. David W. Belin, assistant counsel of the President's Commission.

Mr. Belin.

Would you want to stand and raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Mr. Johnson.

I do.

Mr. Belin.

Would you please state your name?

Mr. Johnson.

Marvin Johnson.

Mr. Belin.

Where do you live, Mr. Johnson?

Mr. Johnson.

Route 3, Box 279, Terrell, Tex.

Mr. Belin.

What is your occupation?

Mr. Johnson.

Police officer.

Mr. Belin.

For whom?

Mr. Johnson.

Employed by the city of Dallas.

Mr. Belin.

Were you born and raised in Texas?

Mr. Johnson.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Belin.

Go to school in Texas?

Mr. Johnson.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Belin.

How far did you go through high school?

Mr. Johnson.

I finished the eighth grade.

Mr. Belin.

You finished the eighth grade?

Mr. Johnson.

Yes.

Mr. Belin.

Then what did you do?

Mr. Johnson.

Went to work.

Mr. Belin.

By way of general background, what kind of work did you do?

Mr. Johnson.

I started out working with a dairy, and dairy farm. And went from that to ice route. From there I went to work at North American Aircraft, and then the Army.

Mr. Belin.

When did you go in the Army?

Mr. Johnson.

Infantry.

Mr. Belin.

When was that?

Mr. Johnson.

1944. September 1944.

Mr. Belin.

Then you were discharged in 1946?

Mr. Johnson.

February 1946; yes, sir.

Mr. Belin.

Honorably discharged?

Mr. Johnson.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Belin.

Then what did you do?

Mr. Johnson.

Then I went back to Aircraft.

Mr. Belin.

How long did you work in Aircraft?

Mr. Johnson.

I worked there 11 months that time, and they had a layoff. I got laid off, and I went back to peddling ice, and peddled ice for about 6 months. Well, one summer. Then that is when I went to Terrell and went in the dairy business for myself.

Mr. Belin.

You went what?

Mr. Johnson.

I went to Terrell and went in the dairy business for myself.

Mr. Belin.

Yes.

Mr. Johnson.

Then I had that 5 years, and then came here.

Mr. Belin.

So you have been with the Dallas Police Department since what year?

Mr. Johnson.

1953.

Mr. Belin.

How old are you?

Mr. Johnson.

Forty-three.

Mr. Belin.

What was your position with the Dallas Police Department in November of 1963?

Mr. Johnson.

Detective, assigned to the homicide and robbery bureau.

Mr. Belin.

Are you still assigned to that bureau today?