The testimony of B. J. Martin was taken at 10:10 a.m., on April 3,
1964, in the office of the U.S. attorney, 301 Post Office Building,
Bryan and Ervay Streets, Dallas, Tex., by Mr. Joseph A. Ball, assistant
counsel of the President's Commission.
Mr. BALL. Will you stand up, please, and be sworn?
Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to give before
this Commission shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but
the truth, so help you God?
Mr. MARTIN. I do.
Mr. BALL. Will you state you name, please?
Mr. MARTIN. B. J. Martin.
Mr. BALL. And what is your residence address?
Mr. MARTIN. 11830 Flamingo Lane, Dallas.
Mr. BALL. What is your occupation?
Mr. MARTIN. I am a police officer.
Mr. BALL. With the Dallas Police Department?
Mr. MARTIN. Yes.
Mr. BALL. How long have you been with the Police Department?
Mr. MARTIN. It will be 11 years in June.
Mr. BALL. Tell me something about yourself, when you were born and
where you were raised and where you went to school?
Mr. MARTIN. I was born in Maud, Okla., Seminole County--went to
school--high school at Maud, Okla., and entered the Navy in 1948, from
there and was discharged in 1952 and lived at Compton, Okla., for
approximately a year, and then returned to Dallas and was employed in
the Police Department in June 1953.
Mr. BALL. And were you employed as a motorcycle officer at that time?
Mr. MARTIN. No, sir; I was employed as an apprentice policeman and
worked in the radio patrol division.
Mr. BALL. You are not a motorcycleman?
Mr. MARTIN. Yes.
Mr. BALL. How long have you been a motorcycle officer?
Mr. MARTIN. Let's see, 8 years in January.
Mr. BALL. On November 22, 1963, did you have some special assignment?
Mr. MARTIN. Yes, sir; I was assigned to the motorcade of President
Kennedy.
Mr. BALL. And you went out to Love Field, did you?
Mr. MARTIN. Yes, sir; we made detail about 7 o'clock that morning
and was assigned, I don't recall now just what time--it was about 30
minutes before his plane was to arrive at Love Field.
Mr. BALL. And in the motorcade what was your position?
Mr. MARTIN. I was assigned to ride on the left-hand rear side of
President Kennedy.
Mr. BALL. And were you riding alone there, or was another officer
riding with you?
Mr. MARTIN. There was another officer riding with me, B. W. Hargis.
Mr. BALL. He was parallel to you on another motorcycle?