The testimony of Sgt. James A. Putnam was taken at 10:05 p.m., on March
24, 1964, in the office of the U.S. attorney, 301 Post Office Building,
Bryan and Ervay Streets, Dallas, Tex., by Mr. Leon D. Hubert, Jr.,
assistant counsel of the President's Commission.
Mr. HUBERT. All right. This is the deposition of Sgt. James A. Putnam,
Dallas Police Department. Sergeant Putnam, my name is Leon Hubert,
Jr., I am a member of the advisory staff of the general counsel on the
President's Commission. Under the provisions of the Executive Order
11130, dated November 29, 1963, by President of the United States,
the 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, Mr. Putnam. I state to you now 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 to you, Sergeant Putnam, the nature of this inquiry tonight
is to determine what facts you know about the death of Oswald and any
other pertinent facts you know, now, about the general inquiry.
Sergeant Putnam, you have appeared by virtue of a general request
made to Chief Curry by the general counsel of the staff of the
President's Commission, Mr. J. Lee Rankin. Under the rules adopted by
the Commission you are entitled to a 3-day written notice prior to the
taking of this deposition, but the rules also provide that a witness
may waive the 3-day written notice. Now, I'll ask you if you are
willing to waive that 3-day written notice?
Sergeant PUTNAM. What is the purpose?
Mr. HUBERT. Simply this, that any witness--the Commission says that any
witness should have a privilege of having 3 days' written notice before
he may be called upon to testify, and that in writing. Now, you have
not had that, because of the way the request came. You see, the request
came by letter to Mr. Curry from Mr. Rankin, who is the general counsel
of the President's Commission, and----
Sergeant PUTNAM. May I ask why it was done by this method rather than
the normal official notice?
Mr. HUBERT. Simply because of the number of people that were involved.
If you wish to have the normal 3-day notice----
Sergeant PUTNAM. Well, will any further--will there be necessary for
me to appear at any further date? Also, are we going to conclude it
tonight? I will waive it for tonight and request if there is a further
need for me to arrive at this time, that I receive it if--it has got my
only day off in 2 weeks. I will waive it at this time and request it if
you do need me again, but I do get the 3-day official notice.
Mr. HUBERT. We certainly will do so. First, let me say this in regard
to the time and so forth and being your day off. The actual sequence
of witnesses and the times they appear was not arranged by us. I don't
want to place the blame on anyone but I am awfully sorry.
Sergeant PUTNAM. That's all right.
Mr. HUBERT. Let me say that if we want to call you in again, you will
surely get the notice, but I don't believe you will be. However, I
can't be absolutely certain. I will get in touch with you by phone and
be sure that we don't disturb any of your rest days, because I know how
important that is. Would you stand up and raise your right hand and
take the oath. Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth
and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Sergeant PUTNAM. I do.
Mr. HUBERT. All right. Please state your full name, please.
Sergeant PUTNAM. James A. Putnam.
Mr. HUBERT. And your age?
Sergeant PUTNAM. Thirty-seven.
Mr. HUBERT. And your residence?
Sergeant PUTNAM. 2015 Joan Drive.
Mr. HUBERT. Dallas?
Sergeant PUTNAM. Dallas, Tex.
Mr. HUBERT. What is your present occupation and how long have you held
it?
Sergeant PUTNAM. Police officer. Ten years and four months.
Mr. HUBERT. And the rank you have now?
Sergeant PUTNAM. Sergeant.
Mr. HUBERT. How long have you been sergeant? You have held that for how
long?
Sergeant PUTNAM. Eight months.
Mr. HUBERT. Did you have the same rank and responsibilities during the
period of November 22 and 24?
Sergeant PUTNAM. Yes, sir.
Mr. HUBERT. Who do you serve under, sir?
Sergeant PUTNAM. Lieutenant Pierce.
Mr. HUBERT. And Lieutenant Pierce is with the patrol division?
Sergeant PUTNAM. That's right.
Mr. HUBERT. He is under Captain Talbert?
Sergeant PUTNAM. Yes, sir.