The Kennedy Assassination Tapes
A Rebuttal to the Acoustical Evidence Theory
by
James C. Bowles

 

APPENDIX TO THE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION TAPES

TRANSCRIPTS
of
DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT
RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
November 22, 1963
ANNOTATED

INTRODUCTION

Radio communications are often so brief and cryptic, so full of local slang and innuendo that meaning might not be clear even to police officers in neighboring communities. Therefore, the meaning and significance of these transcripts would likely be lost to the lay person if they were required to decipher them without some explanation.

Ordinarily, Channel 1 would handle police communications for those police districts lying east of the Trinity River, and Channel 2 would handle those districts to the west, a community commonly referred to as Oak Cliff.

On November 22, 1963, Channel 1 was assigned to handle the ordinary business of the police department units NOT assigned to the visit of President Kennedy, and Channel 2 was used as a special event frequency during the President's visit.

Both transcripts start just before the motorcade got underway and end after the motorcade disbanded at Parkland Hospital.

Lengthy commentary in the body of the transcript would interfere with transcript continuity. Therefore, commentaries are included as numbered end notes.

 

TIME SPEAKER MESSAGE
11:42 41 41 clear.(1)
  Disp 41 clear, 11:42.(2)
  (2) 9 . . .(3)
  Disp 9.
  2 This is 2 calling 9.
  Disp Stand by, 2.
  9 9 to 2 . . .
  2 Go ahead, 9.
  9 Crowds along Harwood are . . . quite light. I was just wondering . . . if we could pick up 2 or 3 of these officers here that I think we could do without and take them down on Main Street.
  2 Are they on intersections?
  9 No, they are in the middle of the block.
  2 Yeah . . . If . . . that . . . if that's the situation, go ahead and pick them up and move them in there.
  9 10-4.
  69 69, a Signal 5?
11:43 Disp 233, a 7, Wood and Houston, 11:43.
  233 10-4, from Pacific and Harwood.
  113 113, a Signal 5?
  Disp Yes, 113.
  69 69, a Signal 5?
  Disp Yes, 69 . . . 111 . . .
  210 210 . . .
  Disp 210
  210 Put 210 and 213 out on a 5, please.
  Disp 10-4, 210
  Disp 111 . . .
  111 Go ahead.
  Disp Are you at 2100 Lemmon? Correction, Leonard?
  111 Right.
11:44 Disp 10-4 . . . Upon completion, meet 233 on a 7 at Houston and Wood, 11:44.
  111 111's en route.
  607 607's Code 6 at the station.
11:44 Disp 10-4, 11:44.
  38 38 . . .
  Disp 38.
  38 Mark me out with 35. This is gonna be a Signal 6.
  Disp 10-4, 38.
  66 66 on the phone.
11:44 Disp 10-4, 66, 11:44.
  71 71 . . .
  Disp 71.
  71 Disregard 63 . . . I'm clear.
11:44 Disp 71 clear, 66 code 4, 11:44.
  (41) 41 on traffic, 5000 Live Oak, on a pick up.
11:45 Disp 10-4, 41, 11:45.
  620 620, Code 5.
  Disp 10-4, 620, 11:45.
  212 212 clear. (Unreadable message followed)
  32 32 clear.
  Disp 32 clear.
  280 280.
  Disp 280
  280 See if you can contact 9.
  Disp 9 . . .
  111 111.
  Disp 111.
  111 Disregard me on that call and put 111 and 224 out with a DWI.(4)
  280 280 . . . Will you try him on Channel 1 and 2 both? We need him bad at Main and Ervay. (crowd noise in background)
  Disp 9 . . .
  9 (Crowd noise and unreadable message)
11:45 Disp 11:45.
  232 232 clear.
11:46 Disp 9 . . .
  ? _____ 9 _____ out at Main _____ . . .
  104 104 . . .
  Disp 104.
  104 I'm clear. I'll handle that prisoner.(5)
11:46 Disp 10-4. It'll be H. L. Green, Main and Ervay. 104 . . . 118 Code 4, 11:46.
  118 118 received.
  223 223 clear, 11:46.
  56 56 . . .
  Disp 56.
  56 56 and 243's clear and request a signal 5.(6)
11:46 Disp 10-4, 11:46 . . . 9 . . .(7)
  41 41 clear.
11:47 Disp 41 clear, 11:47.
  61 61 clear.
  Disp 61 clear, 11:47.
  48 48 clear.
  Disp 48 clear.
  68 68 . . .
  Disp 68
  68 Clear and request a 5.
11:47 Disp Yes, 11:47.
  280 280 . . .
  Disp 280.
  280 Been able to contact him (9)?
  Disp No, he hasn't answered yet, 280.
  280 Try him on Channel 2?(8)
  Disp We're trying him in both places.
  628 628 . . .(9)
  Disp 628.
  628 What street do they have blocked off down here . . . off Ervay here?
  Disp Repeat.
  Ch. 2 Disp Channel 2 to 280 . . .(10)
  628 What street is it they have blocked off off of Ervay down here?
  620 620's code 6.(11)
  47 47 clear.
11:48 Disp 47 clear, 11:48.
  620 620's code 6.
  Disp 628 . . .
  628 628.
  Disp Main and Ervay's blocked.
  628 10-4. (then feedback)
  23 23 . . .
  Disp 23.
  23 Clear and remains out on a 5.
11:49 Disp Yes, 11:49.
  606 606 out.(12)
11:49 Disp 10-4, 606, 11:49.
  38 38 . . .
  38 38 clear and request a signal 5.
11:49 Disp 10-4, 11:49.
  43 43 . . .
  Disp 43.
  43 This is an attempt "pigeon drop" out here . . . I'm clear.(13)
11:49 Disp Clear, 11:49.
  77 77 clear.
11:49 Disp 77 clear, 11:49.
  (97) 97, signal 5, in the car?(14)
11:49 Disp Yes, 11:49.
  606 606 Code 5 to Parkland.(15)
11:50 Disp 10-4, 606, 11:50.
  Disp 233
  233 Go ahead.
  Disp Have you arrived yet?
  233 About uh . . . 2 blocks away now.
  Disp 10-4. Advise if you need a squad.
  233 10-4.
  65 65 . . .
  Disp 65.
  Disp Signal 5?
  Disp 10-4.
  81 81 clear.
11:50 Disp 81 clear, 11:50.
  78 78 clear.
  104 104 . . .
  Disp 104.
  104 Is the President going to come down Ervay Street?
  Disp He'll come down Main and cross Ervay.
  78 78 clear.
11:51 Disp 78 clear, 11:51.
  233 233 . . .
  Disp 233.
  233 I won't need a squad.
  Disp 10-4.
  95 95 clear.
11:51 Disp 95 clear, 11:51.
11:52 Disp 79 a Signal 18, 2712 54th Street, 11:52.(16)
  (79) 2712.
11:52 Disp 26 a Signal 32, in the upstairs, 4144 Prescott, 11:52.(17)
  (26) Is that 4144?
  Disp Yes.
  (26) En route.
  102 102 clear.
  24 24 . . .
  Disp 24.
  24 I'm going to be on traffic here, about the 2000 block of West Mockingbird.(18)
  Disp 10-4.
  102 102 clear.
11:52 Disp 102 clear, 11:52.
11:53 Disp 32 a Signal 9 at Grant's Store, Webbs Chapel and Forestalling [sic], 11:53.(19)
  32 10-4.
  32 You said Webbs Chapel and Forest Lane, didn't you?
  Disp Yes, at Grant's Store.
  32 Yeah, we got it . . . Thank you.
  24 24 clear.
11:54 Disp 24 clear, 11:54.
  223 223 a 5?
  Disp Yes, 223.
  ? A signal 5?
  Disp 10-4.
  Disp 16 call 633.(20)
  103 103 . . .
  Disp 103.
  103 Is 100 clear?
  Disp No.
  16 16, 10-4.
  (103) I said 103 and 100 clear.
11:54 Disp 103 and 100 clear, 11:54.
  Disp 61 call 511.(21)
  (61) 10-4.
  601 601 Code 5, Market Hall.
11:55 Disp 601, 11:55.(22)
  232 232 . . .
  Disp 232
  232 Be at Baylor on . . . checking a victim.(23)
  Disp 10-4.
  104 104 . . .
  Disp 104.
  104 104 . . .
  Disp 104.
  104 Did you call me?
  Disp No.
  104 I'm tied up in this traffic up here, and I got a million people. I don't know whether . . . when I'm going to get that prisoner out of H. L. Green's. (crowd noise in background)
  Disp 10-4.
  (41) 41 on traffic.
  Disp Who's on traffic?
  41 41.
11:55 Disp 10-4, 41, 11:55.
  21 21, Signal 5?
11:55 Disp 79 code 4, 11:55.
  79 79, 10-4.
  242 242 clear.
11:56 242 clear, 11:56.
  21 21 Signal 5?
11:56 Disp Yes, 21, 11:56.
  87 87 clear.
11:56 Disp 87 clear, 11:56.
  111 111 . . .
  Disp 111.
  111 Is there any route to the city jail other than the regular one?
  22 22 clear.
11:56 Disp 22 clear, 11:56.
  93 93 clear.
  Disp You can get in on Main Street for the time, 111.
  111 10-4.
  77 77 . . .
  Disp 77.
  77 _____ telephone, 300 East . . . ?(24)
  Disp 10-4.
11:57 Disp 24 check for a blocked loading zone at the liquor store, 3507 Oak Lawn, 11:57.
  (24) 3507.
  93 93 clear.
11:57 Disp 93 clear, 11:57.
  53 53 . . .
  Disp 53.
  53 Is 51 in service?
  Disp No.
  53 We need a squad back here in about the 6000 block of Gaston . . . Come back over here in the 700 block of Lowell.
  (43) 43's at Gaston and Skillman.
  Disp 10-4, 700 Lowell.
  (43) 10-4.
  (53) Be downtown with a prisoner.
  Disp Both of you?
  (53) 10-4.
  Disp 10-4, 43 and 53 out.
  19 19 clear.
11:58 Disp 19 clear, 11:58.
  606 606 Code 6.
11:59 Disp 10-4, 606, 11:59.
  61 61 . . .
  Disp 61.
  61 Put us on a markout with 511.(25)
  Disp 10-4.
  620 620, Code 6, Parkland.
11:59 Disp 10-4, 620, 11:59.
  ? _____ out at Parkland.
11:59 Disp 10-4, 11:59.
  76 76 . . .
  Disp 76.
  76 Signal 5?
  Disp Yes.
  43 43 . . .
  Disp 43.
  43 The 700 block of what?
  Disp Lowell, I believe he said.
  Disp 53.
  63 63.
  Disp 63 . . .
  63 You call?
  Disp No.
  51 51's clear. 12:00.
  Disp 51 clear, 12:00 noon, KKB364, Dallas.(26)
  51 51 . . .
  Disp 51.
  51 43 got a call on Lowell?
  Disp He's to meet 53 over there for a prisoner.
  51 I can handle it.
  628 628 out at . . . out at Parkland.
12:00 Disp 10-4, 528 [sic], 12 noon.
  ? (unreadable signal regarding 2010 Farrington . . . then about a 1-minute break in radio traffic)
  72 72 clear.
12:02 Disp 72 clear, 12:02.
  83 83 clear.
12:02 Disp 83 clear, 12:02.
  85 85 a "5"?
  Disp 10-4.
  57 57 . . .
  Disp 57.
  57 Can I Signal 5? (sounds like a 51 in the background)
  Disp 87 your location?
  87 Kiest and Lancaster.
12:03 Disp 85 and 87 a Signal 6 on the parking lot in the rear of the school, South Oak Cliff, Overton and Marsalis, 12:03.(27)
  (85) I got it.
  87 87, 10-4.
  222 222 clear.
12:03 Disp 222 clear, 12:03.
  116 116 . . .
  Disp 116.
  116 We're clear at the scene of this accident . . . Can I have a "5"?
12:03 Disp Yes, 12:03.
  22 22 . . .
  Disp 22.
  22 Traffic, NA3062 at, uh, Westmoreland and Ft. Worth.(28)
12:03 Disp 10-4, 12:03.
  83 83 clear.
12:03 Disp 83 clear, 12:03.
  41 41 clear.
  Disp 41 clear, 12:03.
  118 118 out on the phone.
12:03 Disp 10-4, 12:03.
  Disp 221 call 501.(29)
  79 79 . . .
  79 79 . . .
  Disp 79.
  79 I believe 85 checked out on a "5" just before you gave him and 87 this call . . . I'll be with 87 on it.(30)
  Disp Are you at the location now?
  79 Yeah, I'm close to it.
  Disp 85 . . .
  85 85's en route.
  Disp Disregard . . . continue with the Signal 5, 85.
  85 Thank you.
  233 233 clear.
12:05 Disp 233 clear, 12:05.
  (83) 83's out on the traffic, 300 West Illinois.
12:05 Disp 10-4, 83, 12:05.
  Disp Any squad that's en route to the Central Station with a prisoner at this time . . . make a left turn on Main Street from the 2000 block into the basement. That's about the only way they're going to do it.
  Disp Yes.
  232-2 232 car 2 . . .(31)
  Disp Car 2.
  232-2 Clear and en route to Parkland for a follow-up.
12:06 Disp 10-4, 12:06.
  Disp 102 a Signal 6, 2611 Cochran, 12:06.
  (102) 2611.
  104 104 remains out.(32)
12:06 Disp 10-4, 104, 12:06 . . . 104, you'll have to come in . . . make your left turn in . . . Main, into basement.
  41
  Disp 41
  41 Lewis and Henderson, traffic.
12:06 Disp 10-4, 12:06.
  (51) 51 on the phone.
  Disp 51 on the phone.
  24 24 . . .
  Disp 24.
  24 You might notify anything running emergency out here in North Dallas that Mockingbird, Lemmon, Cedar Springs and Denton Drive is all jammed.(33)
  Disp 10-4.
  45 45 clear.
12:07 Disp 83 clear, 12:07.
  19 19 out at Methodist.
  Disp Where, 19?
  19 Methodist Hospital.
  Disp 10-4.
  77 77 clear.
12:07 Disp 77 clear, 12:07.
  (no traffic during 12:08)
  41 41 clear.
12:09 Disp 41 clear, 12:09.
  22 22 clear.
12:10 Disp 22 clear, 12:10.
  242 242 to 68 . . .(34)
  268 268 clear.
  Disp 268?
  268 10-4.
12:10 Disp Clear, 12:10.
  242 242 to 68 . . .
  68 68.
  242 What wrecker made pickup, Buckner and Military?
  68 Wallis.
  242 Thank you.
12:11 Disp 57 meet complainant regarding the found children at 1155 Templemore Drive, 12:11.
  Disp 57 . . .
  57 57.
12:11 Disp 57 meet complainant regarding a found child at 1155 Templemore Drive, 12:11.
  57 1155.
  26 26 . . .
  Disp 26
  26 Remain out with a burglary suspect.(35)
  Disp Coming downtown?
  26 Yes.
  Disp 10-4. You'll have to make a left turn off Main, into city hall.
  26 10-4.
  41 41 . . .
  Disp 41.
  41 Did I clear?
  Disp Repeat.
  41 Did I clear a while ago?
  Disp Yes.
12:12 Disp 22 a signal 6, 3811 Mican, 12:12.
  (22) 3811 Viking.
  Disp M-I-C-A-N.
  (22) 10-4.
  222 222 . . .
  Disp 222.
  222 A "5" in the car?
  Disp 10-4.
  31 31 clear.
12:12 Disp 31 clear, 12:12.
  69 69 clear.
12:13 Disp 69 clear, 12:13.
  61 61 clear.
  Disp 61 clear.
  72 72 . . .
  Disp 72.
  72 Check registration on Nolan Robert 4841 . . . and also wanted.(36)
  Disp Stand by.
  232 232 clear.
12:13 Disp 232 clear, 12:13.
  (232) If you should happen to get a call on an injured person . . . a white male 2 1/2 at Baylor, you can disregard it. I made an injured person offense on it.
12:13 Disp 10-4, 12:13.
  35 35 clear.
12:14 Disp 35 clear, 12:14.
  Disp 57 . . .
  57 Go ahead.
  Disp They belong at 8547 Forest Hills Blvd.
  57 10-4.
  260 260 . . .
  Disp 260.
  260 Is 6 on Channel 2?
  Disp He's at Main and Harwood . . . on the street.(37)
  260 10-4.
  49 49 clear.
12:14 Disp 49 clear, 12:14.
  103 103 . . .
  Disp 103
  103 Stolen or wanted on Alabama '63, 1-A (Asutin) 11113 . . . on a '56 De Soto.
  45 45 . . .
  Disp 45.
  A "5" at Northeast Sub?
  Disp 10-4.
  621 621 clear from VA.(38)
12:15 Disp 621 clear, 12:15.(39)
  105 105 . . .
  Disp 105.
  105 Clear that last call sheet . . . signal 5, please?
12:15 Disp Yes, 12:15.
  (?) (Unreadable--dispatcher thinks "101")
  Disp 101?
  (101) 10-4. Notify Public Works they got a big ol' tree limb out in the 1700 bk. Industrial.
  Disp Out in the street?
  (101) Yes, southbound.
  Disp 10-4.
  Disp 305 and 309, call 551 . . . 309 and 305 call 551. 72. . . .(40)
  (72) Go ahead.
  Disp No wanted on it. A 1950 Chevrolet 2-door. (number deleted) Vista Drive, Mesquite.
? Ninety _____?  
  (72) Check 3. The first one'll be (deleted) Pride, colored male, 21 . . . (deleted) Pride, he's a colored male, 23 . . . and (deleted) Pride, P-R-I-D-E, he'll be a colored male, 29.
  Disp Stand by. It's not registered to any of those.
  (72) All right.
12:17 Disp _____? Meet the complainant regarding lost property at the 33-11 Club, 3311 Hines, 12;17.
  ? 3311 Hines.
  21 21 clear.
12:17 Disp 21 clear, 12:17.
  78 78 . . .
  Disp 78.
  78 Be out of the car a minute, 4100 block of Bonnie . . . view.
12:17 Disp 12:17
  157 157 to 159 . . .
  628 628 clear from Parkland.
12:18 Disp 10-4, 628, 12:18.
  41 41 . . .
  Disp 41
  41 Put me out at the radio station.(41)
12:18 (66) Do you show 66 clear?
  Disp No, are you?
  (66) Yes, sir.
12:18 Disp 12:18.
  289 289 . . .
  Disp 289.
  289 Give us an ambulance, 100 block North Houston Street. Epileptic seizure.
  Disp 10-4.
  (289) Make it Code 3.(42)
  Disp 10-4 . . . That'll be a white?
  113 113 clear.
12:19 Disp 113 clear, 12:19. 72, number 1 has one alias.
  97 97 clear.
12:19 Disp 97 call 544 . . . Clear, 12:19.(43)
  118 118 clear.
12:19 Disp 118 clear, 12:19.
  80 80 . . .
  102 103 [sic] clear.
12:19 Disp 102 clear, 12:19 . . . 72 . . .
  (72) Go ahead.
  Disp One on James.
  (72) All right.
  289 289 . . .
  Disp 289.
  289 Make that ambulance Code 3, and could you give me the direction he will be coming in?
  Disp 606 . . .
  606 606. (Covered by:)
  (72) See if that's a parking ticket.
  Disp What's your location?
  (606) We're about . . . uh . . . Harwood and . . . Cedar Springs now.
12:20 Disp 10-4. Code 3 on a Signal 28, 100 North Houston, 12:20.(44)
  (606) 10-4.
  95 95 . . .
  Disp Harwood and Cedar Springs, 289.
  95 95 . . .
  289 10-4.
  Disp 95.
  95 Would like a "5."
  Disp Yes.
  72 72 . . .
  Disp 72.
  72 Will you check and see if that's a parking ticket?
  Disp Stand by.
  Disp 289 . . .
  289 289.
  Disp Go ahead and start your set-up.(45)
  289 10-4.
  97 97 on the phone.
  Disp 10-4, 97.
  78 78 clear.
12:20 Disp 78 clear, 12:20.
  223 223 clear.
  Disp 223 clear, 12:21.
  38 38 . . .
  Disp 38.
  38 Clear my "5" and remain out to Corporation Court 1 at 1:00.(46)
  Disp Remains out, 12:21. 72 . . .
  (72) Go ahead.
  Disp It's not a moving violation.(47)
  (72) All right.
  312 312 . . .
  Disp 312.
  (312) Try 305 or 309.
  305 305.
  (312) Say, he's supposed to be up there around . . . uh, 2421 Ellis, if you're close. We're leaving the city hall now.
  (305) We're about a block from there.
  115 115 clear.
12:21 Disp 115 clear, 12:21.
  111 111 . . .
  Disp 111.
  111 We're going to have to take this prisoner to Parkland. Is Harwood Street blocked off all the way?(48)
  Disp Yes, all the way, 111.
  111 10-4.
  91 91 clear.
12:22 Disp 91 clear, 12:22.
  101 101 clear.
12:22 Disp 101 clear, 12:22.
  Disp 603 . . .
  603 603.
12:22 Disp 603 and 61, a Signal 16 at the restaurant, Parry and Exposition, 12:22.(49)
  603 603, 10-4.
  Disp That'll be at Kinzer's Restaurant.
  ? All right. (Probably 61.)
  23 23 clear.
  243 66 and 243 clear.
  Disp Who's clear?
  23 23.
  243 243.
12:23 Disp 23 clear, 12:23 . . . 243, did you clear?
  243 Yeah, 66 and 243.
12:23 Disp 10-4, clear, 12:23 . . . 243, your radio is about out.(5)
  231 231 clear.
12:23 Disp 231 clear, 12:23.
  606 606 out. (Siren clearly audible.)
12:24 Disp 10-4, 606, 12:24.
    (Microphone stuck open for 4 1/2 seconds, transmitting engine sound of a running motorcycle.)(51)
  79 79 clear.
12:24 Disp 79 clear, 12:24
    (Microphone stuck open twice for 1 second each time, transmitting engine sound of a running motorcycle.)
  Disp 65 . . .
  65 65.
  Disp Call "633."(52)
  65 Out to use the phone.
  Disp 10-4.
  97 97 clear.
12:25 Disp 97 clear, 12:25.
  309 309 to 312.
  606 606 . . .
  Disp 606.
  606 We're en route to (unreadable -- someone said "607") Signal 16.
  Disp En route where, 606?
  606 Parkland. (Siren in background.)
  Disp 10-4. Need a squad car to meet you there?
  606 10-4.(53)
  Disp 10-4.
  252 252 . . .
  Disp 252.
  252 Out here at the intersection of Fairmount and Cedar Springs, uh, there's a V-shaped piece of land out here . . . no, uh, improvements on it. Someone, during the parade, backed over a water faucet out here and it's shooting water in the air. I wonder if you can contact the water department and have 'em come out here and turn it off.
12:25 Disp 10-4, 12:25.
  6 6 _____ (Unknown message.)
  (252) I'm clear.
12:25 Disp 10-4, 12:25.
  (91) 91 on traffic, P-Pecos, P-Pecos, 4700.(54)
  Disp 10-4.
  309 309 . . .
  (213) 210 and 213 clear.
  Disp 309.
  309 Need to talk to 312 just a minute.
12:26 Disp 210 and 213 clear, 12:26. Go ahead 312.
  309 309 to 312.
  (312) Go ahead.
  (309) We have this subject. You want to meet up somewhere?
  312 Right behind you.
  ? All right.
  Disp 23 . . .
  23 23.
12:26 Disp Meet 606 at Parkland on a Signal 16, 12:26.
  23 10-4.
  258 258 clear.
  258 258 clear.
12:26 Disp 258 clear, 12:26 . . . 305 . . .
  305 Go ahead.
  Disp Stand by.
  103 103 . . .
  Disp 103.
  103 Pecos, Nolan 6365 on a Buick . . . Industrial, 2100 block.(55)
12:27 Disp 10-4, 12:27.
  Disp _____, 305.
  (305) 10-4.
  24 24 is clear.
12:27 Disp 24 clear, 12:27.
  56 56 . . .
  (83) 83, traffic, 3200 South Westmoreland.
12:28 Disp 83 out, 12:28.
  56 56 . . .
  Disp 56.
  56 Traffic, uh, on a . . . '56 Chevrolet, I can't see the license number . . . (followed immediately by:)
  (75) 75 clear.
12:28 Disp 75 clear, 12:28. (This accompanied by microphone stuck open for 17 1/2 seconds transmitting engine sound of running motorcycle.)(56)
  38 38 . . .
  Disp 38.
  38 Might tell some of those people involved in handling this deal out here at Market Hall that there's people walking across southbound Stemmons here in front of the Marriott Hotel and all the way down south.(57)
    (Time fixed at this point and projected for remainder of transcript. Announced time, when given, is in parenthesis.)
    (Microphone remained open while the dispatcher asked:)
  Disp 10-4, 38. Are you still en route to court?
12:29:10 38 10-4. (Microphone continues to stick open for next 5 minutes.)
12:29:20 ? . . . Market Office . . .(58)
12:29:27 ? . . . All right . . .
12:30:55   (This is the approximate time the first shot was fired. While NOT recorded on the tape nor heard on radio, it is noted here for reference.)
12:31:00   (Motorcycle engine slowed down.)(59)
12:31:03   (Approximate time the third and final shot was fired.)
12:31:02 4 (Ch 2) I'll check it.(60)
12:31:10   (Motorcycle engine slowed to idle speed.)
12:31:11 100 100 . . .
12:31:12 91 . . . Check wanted on P-Pecos . . . and other.
12:3
  S1 (Ch 2) "Tell my men . . ." Sheriff Decker, Ch 2, 12:31 period, by voice analysis(61)
(12:31:13)   Last shot, according to Select Committee
12:31:20   (A single tone of a bell.)(62)
12:31:24   (Motorcycle at a very slow idle.)
12:31:32   (A "bonk" sound is recorded and the motorcycle engine revved-up.)(63)
12:31:40   (Motorcycle sounds like it started moving.)
12:31:48   (Motor slowed down. Perhaps, another approached.)
12:31:52 ? . . . on the phone. (Motor slowed to an idle.)(64)
12:31:56   (Someone whistling a tune in the background of open microphone.)(65)
12:31:58   (A "bonk, bonk" sound again.)
12:32:04 ? (Unreadable, sounds like ". . . 87 . . .")
12:32:05   (Heterodyne sound of Morse Code "V" and the motor seems to speed up.)(66)
12:32:08 603 603 out, Baylor.
12:32:22 36 (Motor slowed, then:) 36 . . .
12:32:35 36 36 . . . (Motor slow and irregular.)
12:32:38 91 91 clear, request a "5."
12:32:39 Disp 531 testing, 1-2-3-4.
12:32:42   (Someone whistling again; the tune is unidentifiable.)(67)
12:32:46 ? Loud and clear.(68)
12:32:48 48 48, loud and clear.(69)
12:32:56 56 56 . . . (Motor revved-up.)
12:32:56 91 91, request a "5."
12:33:01   (Blending with the end of 91's message, the sound of sirens can be heard, faintly, but increasing in loudness.)(70)
12:33:03 Disp 10-4. Anybody know where 56 is? (The siren sounds continue.)(71)
12:33:08 ? He checked out on traffic.
12:33:18 75 75, Signal 5? (Sirens continue; motor sounds slow and irregular.)
12:33:26 76 76 clear. (Sirens continue; motor sound revved-up.)
12:33:34   (Sirens fade to inaudible.)(72)
12:33:55   (Someone whistling again.)(73)
12:33:38 DSO? Attention all units, all units . . .(74)
12:33:50 ? (Unreadable.)(75)
12:33:52 190 (Ch 2) You want me to still hold this traffic on Stemmons until we find out something, or . . .(76)
12:33:57 (103) 103 clear. (Motor is idling.)
12:33:59 Disp Clear, 12:34. (Motorcycle engine revved up.)(77)
(12:34)    
12:34:00 76 76 clear. (Motor revved up.)
  76 76 clear.
12:34:09 Disp 76 clear, 12:34. (Motorcycle sounds like it is moving.)
(12:34)    
12:34:18 75 75, a "5." (Motorcycle seems to gain speed.)
12:34:19   (Microphone closed.)(78)
12:34:22 Disp 24 . . .
  24 24 . . . (Unknown _____ 3 . . .)
12:34:25 Disp Report to Inwood and Stemmons and cut all traffic for the ambulance going to Parkland, Code 3.(79)
12:34:30 ? (Unknown _____ seventy, probably 75.)
12:34:32 (24) Inwood and Stemmons?
12:34:35 Disp Inwood and Stemmons, where they come off Stemmons, going to Parkland.
12:34:40 (24) 10-4.
12:34:43 Disp Make your assignment Code 3, 24.
12:34:45 (24) 10-4.
12:34:45 Disp 35, a Signal 9A at Lobello's, Ames and Northwest, 12:35. (Motorcycle transmitter stuck open again.)(80)
(12:35)    
12:34:52 Disp Location, 93? . . . Disregard . . . 21 . . . 21
12:34:58 Disp Code 3, Stemmons and Inwood, cut traffic.
  21 10-4
12:35:01 348/75 348 . . . 75 . . .
12:35:03 Disp 75
12:35:04 75 Signal 5?
12:35:05 Disp 10-4.
12:35:06 65 65 clear. (More heterodyne noise.)
12:35:07 Disp 65 clear (4 interrupts), 12:36. 4, did you call?(81)
12:36   (Motor at slow idle.)
12:35:12 4 . . . Cedar Springs and Mockingbird . . . (Noisy signal, unreadable; motor slow and irregular.)(82)
12:35:22 Disp 4, we have a mike butt stuck . . . bike . . . button stuck open. We can't hear anything. (Still unreadable; motor slow and irregular.)
12:35:36 Disp 93 . . .
12:35:38 Ch 2 Disp Attention all emergency equipment. Attention all emergency equipment. Do not use Industrial Boulevard. Do not use Industrial Boulevard, 12:36.
    (Motor slow and irregular.)
12:35:47 93 93. (Motor idled-down.)
12:35:48 Disp Location?
12:35:49 93 Sylvian and Fort Worth. (Motor still slow.)
12:35:54 (4) El . . . uh . . . Eleven . . . (Unreadable.)(83)
12:36:57 260 (Ch 2) . . . came from the fifth floor . . .
  Disp 24 . . . (interrupting)
  (260) . . . of the Texas Depository . . . Bookstore [sic].(84)
12:36:04   Transmitter closed with this message.
12:36:05 Disp 35, did you receive?
12:36:07 (35) I got it.
12:36:08 Disp 10-4.
12:36:10 61 61 clear.
12:36:15 61 clear, 12:37.
(12:37)    
12:36:21 4 4 to 11 . . . 1131.(85)
12:36:26 21 21 . . . (His siren slowing down in the background.)
12:36:28 Disp 21 . . . continue . . . (interrupted)
12:36:31 24 24 . . .
12:36:35 93 93 . . . (Dispatcher continued with:)
12:36:36 (Disp) . . . to Inwood and Stemmons and assist 24 . . . 21, go up there to Hines and cut that service road off there where that ambulance can go on to Parkland.
12:36:43 91 91 . . .
12:36:44   10-4. (Probably 21.)(86)
 

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END NOTES/COMMENTARY - CHANNEL 1:

1. "Clear" means that officer is returning to service from some previous assignment; he is now available for another assignment.

2. The dispatcher indicates his acknowledgment of the preceding message, and states the time within a one-minute time frame. The time statement might be made according to a 4-digit clock before the dispatcher, or from a time stamped by a mechanical time clock. These were NOT synchronized; therefore, time statements are NOT consistent with ANY "real-time" reference.

3. A message should start with the officer wishing to speak identifying himself by call-number. In this event, Assistant Chief Batchelor did not give his call-number first, but called for "9," Inspector Sawyer, the party to whom he wished to speak. The dispatcher therefore acknowledged "9" rather than the caller, "2." Also, a number in column two in parenthesis indicates the speaker did not precede his message with his call-number. When that number is not known, a question mark is used.

4. #111 had been given a call to pick up a prisoner, but he will be unable to complete the call. (That call preceded this transcription.)

5. #104 announces his availability for 118's call. (The call preceded this transcription.)

6. A "Signal 5" refers to an absence from duty for the purpose of eating or for coffee, etc. The officer requesting authorization must first obtain permission to go out of service. Therefore, the message is in the form of a request, and the request must be recognized by the dispatcher.

7. "10-4" actually means "Message received and understood." More often, Dallas officers include in the meaning, "Yes," or similar affirmative meanings. In this event, the dispatcher's "10-4" represents both acknowledgment and permission granted.

8. With reference to Channel 2 transcript, the 11:47 time frame, a concurrent effort was made to get 280, a three-wheel sergeant, into contact with 9, Inspector Sawyer.

9. Call numbers 600-629 were assigned to ambulances under contract to the police department.

10. The Channel 2 dispatcher used his Channel 1 switch to broadcast on Channel 1. This was part of the simultaneous broadcast capability available to either dispatcher. Each could broadcast on his assigned channel, the other, or both.

11. "Code 6" means, "I have arrived at the location of my present assignment."

12. "Out" in this event means that the ambulance #606 will be off the radio and available by telephone.

13. "Pigeon-drop" is a form of fraud.

14. He will be available by radio as he will be in his car.

15. "Code 5" means "I am en route to . . ." a given location.

16. "Signal 18" is a fire call.

17. "Signal 32" is a suspicious person call.

18. "On traffic" and similar references indicate the officer has observed a traffic violation or situation which requires attention. The dispatcher notes the matter and avoids giving that officer a call until he "clears."

19. "Signal 9" is a theft call.

20. The dispatcher instructs #16, the Northeast Lieutenant, to telephone the Northeast Station, telephone extension 633.

21. The dispatcher instructs #61 to telephone the Central Patrol office, telephone extension #511.

22. Apparently the dispatcher said "10-4" before he fully activated his transmit key. Therefore, only the ambulance call number and the message time frame were recorded.

23. Refers to Baylor Hospital.

42. This message did not record fully, but #77 "telephone" and "300 East _____" indicates that #77 was out of service in the 300 block (of an undetermined street) to use the telephone. In later messages other officers might use the expression "on the phone" or similar references for the same purpose. They do not always indicate a location.

25. #61 telephoned extension 511 (note 21). Now he tells the dispatcher to put them on a "markout," a duty status not on a call, but not available for a call.

26. The time reference followed by "KKB364" is the station identification required by the FCC, KKB364 being the Dallas Police Department's call letters. Ordinarily, time and station checks should be given on the hour and each quarter-hour, as nearly as possible at the exact indicated time. However, this was not always done, especially during busy periods. Sometimes they were given early, sometimes, late, and sometimes, they were not given at all.

27. "Signal 6" is a disturbance call.

28. The "NA3062" refers to the license plate number on the vehicle stopped for a traffic violation.

29. The dispatcher instructs accident investigator #221 to telephone the traffic commander's office, extension #501.

30. #79 volunteers to replace #85 on the "Signal 6" so 85 can continue on the "Signal 5" he had been authorized at 12:03 p.m. In the following messages, the dispatcher replaces 85 with 79.

31. Reference to a "car 2" indicated that two vehicles are using the same primary call number. In this event, there is a #232 and a #232-2.

32. "Remains out" and "remain me out" and similar expressions, while grammatically improper, inform the dispatcher that the officer indicated, and who is already "out of service" for some previously acknowledged purpose, will continue to be "out of service." In this event, #104 picked up a prisoner in connection with his previous call. Here, he tells the dispatcher that he will continue to be out while transporting the prisoner to jail.

33. Reference to "running emergency" refers to anyone operating a vehicle under emergency driving conditions. The officer #24 informs others that the streets indicated are obstructed by heavy traffic; that should someone be confronted with an emergency driving situation, avoid these streets if possible.

34. Refers to #242 attempting to contact #68 by radio.

35. Indicates that 26 will be out of service for an additional period of time with a burglary suspect in connection with his "Signal 32" mentioned in note 17.

36. Refers to vehicle license NR4841, and asks the dispatcher to determine the identity of the registered owner, and whether it is listed as stolen, or wanted in connection with an offense.

37. Three-wheel sergeant #160 asks whether Deputy Chief of traffic, #6, is on Channel 2. The dispatcher stated that he was not in his car, with a radio.

38. Refers to the Veterans Administration Hospital.

39. Note that the 12:15 station check was not given. This is the first statement of "time" given in the 12:15 time frame. However, there is no way to determine whether it has just turned 12:15, or whether it became 12:15 immediately after 49 cleared at 12:14, and before 103 requested a check of the Alabama license plate. Compare this illustration with references elsewhere regarding the difficulties encountered when attempting to fix a time reference point with a degree of exactness.

40. The dispatcher instructs Homicide detectives #305 and 309 to call the Homicide office, telephone extension #551.

41. Refers to the police department's radio transmitter and service center located inside Fair Park, the state fair grounds, southeast of the downtown district.

42. "Code 3" refers to an emergency response; the use of red lights and siren by responding personnel.

43. Instructs #97 to call extension #544.

44. "Signal 28" is a sick person call. Here, 606 is dispatched to meet #289 at 100 North Houston Street.

45. "Start your set-up" refers to 289's traffic assignment at Elm and Houston Streets. He was to set-up temporary control measures for the passage of the motorcade.

46. The officer working #38 has finished lunch but is not "clear" as he "remains out" to answer a 1:00 p.m. court call in Corporation Court #1 (City Court.) NOTE: His route will soon take him southbound on Stemmons past the Trade Mart at which location he will report pedestrian traffic on the freeway. At the end of his message the three-wheel motorcycle microphone stuck open on Channel 1 for more than 5 minutes.

47. Earlier, 72 had asked whether his subject's alias (past due) ticket involved a parking violation. The dispatcher tells 72 it is NOT a moving violation, but did not tell him what kind of violation it was.

48. Earlier, 111 and 224 picked up a DWI (an intoxicated driver) whom 111 is now taking to Parkland Hospital.

49. "Signal 16" is an injured person call, the injury being non-vehicular.

50. The dispatcher informs 243 that his radio is not performing well as evidenced by the dispatcher's inability to understand who was clearing.

51. Here, during the 12:24 time frame, is the first time during the day's events that the problem of the open mike occurred. The open mike transmitted the sound of a motorcycle engine running about 25 MPH. At this point the mike stuck for about 4 1/2 seconds. Moments later it opened twice in succession for about one second each time.

52. The dispatcher instructs 65 to telephone the Northeast Substation, extension #633.

53. At 12:20, 606 was dispatched to meet 289. Here, 606 tells the dispatcher he is en route to Parkland Hospital, and that he needs an officer to meet him there.

54. Refers to vehicle license PP4700.

55. Refers to a traffic markout on license PN6365.

56. Here, in the 12:28 time frame the open mike transmits the sound of a motorcycle engine running about 30 MPH for some 17 1/2 seconds.

57. The officer working #38, en route to court reported the pedestrians crossing Stemmons (note 46). At the end of 38's message the mike stuck open again, and it remained open for the next 5 minutes, 9 seconds. The dispatcher acknowledged 38's message and asked, ". . . are you still en route to court?" Thirty-eight answered, "10-4." It is at this point that this text determined the most likely time as 12:29:10 p.m. (Channel 1.) For the remainder of this transcript. 12:29:10 is the time-fix from which subsequent times and events are factored

58. The city of Dallas operates a public market where truck-farmers vend their crops. Officers frequently used the market office telephone. It is likely that some officer checked out at the "market office" and moments later. the dispatcher acknowledged, "All right."

59. At approximately 12:31:00 (Channel 1) the open mike transmitted the sound of the motorcycle's engine slowing.

60. The "I'll check it" is the last of #4's (Deputy Chief Fisher's) communication with #125, Captain Lawrence, on Channel 2, and picked up by the open mike on Channel 1. (See Channel 2 transcription, 12:31:04.) Also, see Illustration #III which demonstrates how Channel 2 messages were picked up by the open mike and recorded as Channel 1 messages.

61. This transmission is not clearly understood. It appears to be 91 checking the vehicle he stopped during the 12:25 time frame, "P-Pecos 4700."

62. [Webmaster's note: The following analysis of the tone has been disproved. See IBM Research Report, to be posted shortly.] This is the sound of the single tone of a bell. While its exact origin cannot be established, it obviously was NOT in Dealey Plaza, and NONE of those people there, police officers, motorcade participants, news reporters nor observers ever mentioned hearing such a sound.

The Select Committee suggested the bell-sound appeared on Channel 1 because an unidentified officer keyed his microphone near a bell, conveniently as it tolled one time, then he closed his mike without saying anything.

There is a more likely explanation. There was a replica of the Liberty Bell at the Trade Mart. Perhaps a passerby gave it a rap. It was recorded on Channell by the open mike.

The location of the bell is significant to McLain in that if the sound was recorded over his mike as he left Dealey Plaza, why didn't anyone else hear it? If the bell was at the Trade Mart, it further confirms that the open mike was at the Trade Mart.

However, the Committee's Report gives the sound of the bell a new and even greater significance. Their Report states that the bell sounded, ". . . about 7 seconds after the last impulse believed to have been a shot . . ." (Committee Report, page 78). The Report logged the bell sound at approximately 12:31:02.6 (Channel 1), (Committee time-fix). This is in contrast to the 12:31:20 projection in this report, a difference of 17 seconds. In conclusion, the Select Committee was about one minute off, and was looking in the WRONG PLACE on the tape in their hopes of finding the sound of gunfire.

63. While the source of the "bonk-bonk" could not be determined absolutely, it was likely the result of the motorcycle passing a wheel over the cast iron grate to a storm sewer near the motorpool. Recent tests produced similar sounds; however, there have been considerable changes in the physical layout of the parking lot. Accordingly, it cannot be said with certainty whether these grates produced the 1963 sounds.

64. This transmission cannot be clearly understood, but it sounds like someone checking out to use a telephone.

65. This whistling is distinctly different from the screeching identified as "heterodyne" which can occur when two transmitters open on the same frequency. In this event, someone is casually whistling an unidentified tune while near the open mike. If is highly unlikely that anyone was casually whistling in Dealey Plaza at the time, and less likely that whistling would be picked up but NOT the shouting. The whistling episodes were not preceded by the sound of a microphone being "keyed," which indicates the whistling was transmitted by the open mike.

66. Unidentified officers, in checking their mike buttons, unwittingly generated the sound of the Morse Code "V" or ". . . _____" and this was recorded. Some assassination buffs have construed this to be an officer signaling success to his cohorts by transmitting the World War II victory signal. This is absurd because the ". . ." is at a higher pitch than the "_____" just as it is in the musical form from Beethoven's Symphony #5. A single officer keying his mike cannot make it play music. In fact, he would have no way of knowing that his keying would even produce heterodyne.

67. Still a casual tune whistled by a passerby. Again, there is no keying sound. Nor was this caused by officers "testing their mikes" as this is done by noting the control or pilot lights, "red" for transmit, "green" for stand-by.

68. An unidentified officer's response to the dispatcher's 4-count test.

69. Officer 48's response to the test count.

70. In the same transmission with 91 's request for a "Signal 5," the sound of sirens appeared for the first time, starting faintly and gradually increasing in loudness. It cannot be determined how many, but there appear to be several separate sirens.

71. As the sirens are still passing by, the dispatcher keyed his mike to acknowledge 91's request and to ask about #56. The siren sounds increased in loudness, and the motorcycle engine can still be heard running slowly. Some unreadable radio traffic occurred, briefly overriding the siren sounds.

72. The siren sounds faded out in the same manner as they first appeared, gradually. In passing the open mike, it appears that some 3 or 4 groups of siren-sounding vehicles pass as opposed to individual vehicles. The Doppler Effect is present. The siren sounds from the first faint sound to the last faint sound were present for 33 seconds.

73. The passerby whistling the tune again.

74. The "Attention all units . . ." message received and recorded over Channel 1 was NOT a Dallas Police Department broadcast. It is most likely the Dallas County Sheriff's Department dispatcher, Deputy Jack Watson, broadcasting on 37.180 kilocycles while the Dallas Police broadcast in the 45.00 range. This was NOT a frequency skip nor interference; this has never been experienced between the two departments. The message was picked up and recorded because the open mike was near the outside speaker on a deputy sheriff's vehicle. The only place where the Dallas Police had a motorcycle and county cars working together was at the Trade Mart.

Both the Dallas County Sheriff's dispatcher and the Texas Department of Public Safety (the State Police) use the reference to "units" and both departments had officers working in conjunction with Dallas Police, but only at the Trade Mart.

It is unlikely that a state officer made the broadcast, for they were unaware of the emergency for quite some time. It is probably the sheriff's dispatcher because he had been informed of the emergency by direct telephone connection with the police dispatcher, and instructed per Sheriff Bill Decker to send his deputies into the area of the shooting. (See Transcript, Channel 2, between 12:31 and 12:32.) This is in all likelihood a response to that broadcast. The message is NOT on Channel 2.

75. A voice can be heard near the open mike, but he cannot be understood. By voice recognition, it sounds like the officer who reported experiencing the open mike.

76. The "You want me . . ." is part of the message Motorcycle Sergeant #190 was broadcasting on Channel 2 at the time. "One-oh-three, clear" cut off the remainder of the message. This portion of 190's transmission on Channel 2 appears on Channel 1 because the open mike was near the speaker of a radio tuned to Channel 2, and the open mike picked up the message. (See Transcript, Channel 2, 12.34.16.)

77. As the dispatcher acknowledged 103 clear, it appears that the motorcycle revved-up. There are sounds which might be the shifting of gears. NOTE. The time projected from 12:29:10 is now 12:33:59 while the dispatcher stated "12:34" for a difference of 1 second.

78. While 75 requested a "Signal 5," the motorcycle seems to gain speed. Then there are a couple of "clicks," and the transmitter is closed.

Based on the fixed time of 12:29:10 when the mike opened, and 12:34:20, when it closed, it was open for a full 5 minutes and 9 seconds. The time projections, measured with a hand-held stopwatch, were within 1 second after 5+ minutes.

While the mike was open, Channel 1 radio traffic was recorded full-time or in real-time. After it closed, Channel 1 traffic is recorded only during radio use. Therefore, it cannot be considered a real-time recording. However, due to the steady radio use which followed. The recording stayed "on" almost constantly, and was virtually a real-time recorder. For that reason, the time-estimates during the remainder of the transcription will continue as if it were a continuous recording, although it was not. This will cause an error of a few seconds in the last minute.

79. In the confusion following the assassination, the Channel 1 dispatcher incorrectly thought that whoever was injured was en route to Parkland Hospital by ambulance, and that the ambulance would travel Sternmons to Inwood, thence to Hines, thence to Parkland. Accordingly, he attempted to dispatch officers ahead of the "ambulance" to cut traffic. Actually, the victims remained with the motorcade, and they had already reached Parkland before traffic assistance was dispatched.

80. "Signal 9A" is an auto theft. This call was dispatched at 12.35 as opposed to the time estimate of 12:34:46. This loss of a couple of seconds is likely because the recorder was not recording real-time. (See Note 78.)

The mike stuck open briefly here, and the engine sound suggests the motorcycle is operating slowly.

81. The engine appears to be running at a slow idle. Also, note the slight time difference. (See Note 78.)

82. The Channel 2 dispatcher used his simultaneous broadcast switches to make this announcement on both channels at the same time. Notice that according to the projected time, the message started at 12:35:38 and ended at 12:35:46 The time on Channel 2 was undetermined, but in the 12:36 (Channel 2) time frame. Allowing for Channel 1 to have lost a few seconds due to the recorder not now recording real-time, and allowing for Channel 2 to be broadcasting about 15 seconds ahead of Channel 1 time, this very close comparison of time references tends to confirm both assumptions: That 12:29:10 was a valid time for computing future time on Channel 1, and that Channel 2 was running about 15 seconds ahead of Channel 1 time.

The motorcycle engine continued to run slowly and irregularly during this period.

83. This is probably #4, who had been trying to call but who was experiencing transmitting difficulties. It appears that the message started with an unsuccessful effort to remember a number, that as he started to speak, he forgot the number. Note that some 27 seconds later, 4 does, in fact, initiate a hesitant call to station #1131, the usual reference to the Northwest Substation desk.

84. The ". . . came from the 5th floor . . ." is part of a transmission initiated by three-wheel sergeant #260, broadcasting on Channel 2. The message appears on Channel 1 because the open mike was near the speaker of a radio tuned to Channel 2. (See Notes 60, 74, and 76; also Transcript, Channel 2, 12:36.) The motorcycle engine ran for part of this message; then the transmitter closed again, having been open for about 1 minute and 18 seconds.

85. Refer to Note 83.

86. The Channel 1 transcript ends at this point. By now, the motorcade had disbanded at Parkland, and activity was increasing around the Texas School Book Depository. Nothing occurred past this point which would appear to have a bearing on the validity of the Select Committee's acoustical analysis of these recordings.

 

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