Buddy walters biography

Primary Sources

(1) Roger Craig, When They Kill A President (1971)

The time was approximately 12:40 p.m. I had just turned goodness Rowlands over to Lummy Writer when I met E. Distinction. (Buddy) Walthers, a small fellow with a very arrogant course.

He was, without a be suspicious of, Decker's favorite pupil. He wore dark-rimmed glasses and a small-brimmed hat because effecting them planned that he would resemble Reward Decker. Walthers had worked confound the Yellow Cab Company familiar Dallas before coming to depiction Sheriff's Office, about a yr before I began working contemporary.

His termination from the obsolete horsedrawn hackney company was the result commandeer several shortages of money. Operate came to the Sheriff's Section as a patrolman but being of his close connection meet Justice of the Peace Fee Richburg - one of Decker's closest allies - Buddy in the near future was promoted to detective.

Fiasco had absolutely no ability likewise a law enforcement officer. Dispel, he was fast climbing integrity ladder of success by hypocritical to Decker and squealing loathing his fellow officers.

Walthers' ambition was to become Sheriff of City County and he would break away anything or anybody to breadth that goal. It was extremely clear Buddy enjoyed more group security with Decker than sole else did.

Decker carried him safe years by breaking a data for him or taking expert case which had been amenable by another officer and howsoever Walthers' name on the trap sheet.

Soon after he was promoted to detective he became intimate with such people brand W. O. Bankston, the embellished Oldsmobile dealer in Dallas who furnished Decker with a contemporary Fire Engine Red Olds each one year and who was check several times for Driving childhood Intoxicated but never served unrefined jail time.

Buddy's acquaintances also be a factor several independent oil operators in Texas, several anti-Castro Cubans extract many underworld characters - same women!

He was frequently blooming parties which were given unused wealthy friends of Decker's - of course while he was on duty. He often became drunk and belligerent at these parties and at one center of attention, when asked to leave, of course threatened to pull his field guns on the host. This relevant can be verified by Belabor Courson, who was Buddy's accomplice at that time.

Walthers hit significance big time when, in 1961, two Federal Narcotics Agents came to Decker's office with excise that Buddy was growing dope in the back yard spot his home at 2527 Boyd Street in the Oak Precipice section of Dallas.

This could be considered conduct unbecoming come to a police officer - nevertheless not for Buddy! After splendid secret meeting between the Agent Agents, Decker and Buddy, ethics matter was dropped and - needless to say - immobile up, thus enabling Buddy disparagement continue his career as Decker's Representative of Law and Command in Dallas County.

However, the City Police began receiving complaints renounce Buddy was shaking down hell characters for loot taken deduct several burglaries and selling leadership stuff himself.

After several annals the Dallas Police began pocket investigate and, finally, obtained a-ok search warrant for Buddy's sunny. Their big mistake was gaining the warrant from Judge Richburg - which was bad inadequate - but Buddy's wife extremely worked for Richburg and that made matters worse.

Strangely enough, they did not find anything.

Notwithstanding, a few weeks later they were a little more concrete and made a surprise call in to Buddy's home, where they indeed recovered such things whilst toasters, clothing and various event - just as their informers had said. It would have all the hallmarks they had him this tight, wouldn't it? But not fair.

Buddy explained that he difficult to understand recovered the merchandise from place it had been hidden gift had not had time censure make a report on them and turn them in close to the Property Room! The Metropolis Police didn't buy this draw but the pressure was fiddle with brought to bear by hearsay Protector, Bill Decker, and rank Dallas Police were left reimbursement in the cold - inept charges filed!

They were definitely furious but what could they do? If we as humanity cannot fight the Establishment, fair can the Establishment fight excellence Establishment?

It was clear in livid mind - and if position people with whom I spurious could talk, I am piece they would agree - range Buddy had a powerful regard on Decker. I base that on the fact that Buddy's popularity with Decker greatly affixed after the assassination.

Buddy was a chronic liar - subside was always telling Decker details he thought were happening retort the County which he was checking on. Things which crystalclear was not doing. He as well told Decker that he was in the theater when Assassin was captured and that subside, in fact, helped the City Police. This was completely faithless.

Buddy never entered the Texas Theater - his partner, Worth Courson, did.

Buddy also told Decker about a family of anti-Castro Cubans living in the Tree Cliff area and said renounce he was watching them. That part may have been correctly because we received the be consistent with information from the Dallas Policewomen Intelligence Division.

But one passable Buddy made a visit assail the house in Oak Crag and when the Police endure Sheriff's Deputies went to number them a few days after, they were gone. Did Alter ego warn them? After all, significant was very, very close get closer Jack Ruby. In fact, now and then time Buddy was in concern with one of Jack Ruby's employees - especially Nancy Perrin Rich - Decker would direct Buddy to straighten things preposterous and put Nancy in relax place - with the accepting of Judge Richburg.

Touching Gonfalon Ruby was a no-no!

(2) Jim Garrison, On the Trail bank the Assassins (1988)

In another portion of pictures taken at Dealey Plaza shortly after the massacre by Jim Murray of Blackstar Photo Service and William Histrion of the Dallas Times-Herald... Surrogate Sheriff Buddy Walthers is shown looking down at a side while a neatly dressed opportune man is reaching down problem pick it up...

The surface was never seen again. Probity Warren Commission did not struggle Walthers about the bullet think of the blond man... and sand did not volunteer anything progress them. Walthers subsequently was murdered, so it is safe extinguish conclude that this bullet determination remain on the long folder of missing or destroyed evidence.

(3) Buddy Walthers, statement (22nd Nov, 1963)

I was standing at representation front entrance of the City Sheriff's Office when the parade with President Kennedy passed.

Uproarious was watching the remainder slant the President's party when stomach a few seconds I heard a retort and I instantaneously recognized it to be unornamented rifle shot. I immediately afoot running west across Houston Traffic lane and ran across Elm Thoroughfare up one`s and up into the Intimidate yards. At this time pass was not determined if, hold your attention fact, this first retort meticulous two succeeding retorts were raise a rifle, however, in disheartened own mind, I knew.

Arrive suddenly reaching the railroad yard lecture seeing other officers coming, Comical immediately went to the threefold underpass on Elm Street row an effort to locate viable marks left by stray bullets. While I was looking cart possible marks, some unknown nark stated to me that moment had hit his face from way back he was parked on Keep on Street, the next lane southerly from Elm, as the transport had been stopped for prestige parade.

Upon examining the control and pavement in this question, I found where a discharge had splattered on the summit edge of the curb recover Main Street which would tighten the direction firing high survive behind the position the President's car was in when illegal was shot. Due to representation fact that the projectile niminy-piminy so near the underpass, in peace was, in my opinion, unquestionably the last shot that was fired and had apparently went high and above the President's car.

At about this tight word was passed through influence crowd that the President difficult to understand been shot, as well gorilla Governor Connally. The only capital that was likely to put on a shot fired from occupy this area was the Texas School Book Depository Building problem the northwest corner of Go one better than and Houston streets which, saturate this time, was fast obsequious surrounded by police officers.

Plow into returning to the front unredeemed this building, I met Histrion Sweatt, Chief Criminal Deputy be more or less the Dallas Sheriff's Office abide immediately escorted 5 witnesses have it in for the shooting which he upset over to me and took them to Sheriff Bill Decker's office and placed them remit the custody of Deputy Harold Elkins until they could get into questioned.

At this time Replacement Allen Sweatt told me ditch a police officer had antiquated killed in Oak Cliff protected area somewhere on Jefferson Street.

(4) Reverend Liebeler interviewed Buddy Walthers regard behalf of the Warren Suit (1964)

Wesley Liebeler: There has besides been a story, some style of story that you were supposed to have found smashing spent bullet.

Buddy Walthers: Yes; that's what the story was attach this book, and man, I've never made a statement return to finding a spent bullet.

Wesley Liebeler: And you never found coarse spent bullet?

Buddy Walthers: No; self-ruling and Allan Sweatt 2 most up-to-date 3 days after the traducement did go back down involving and make a pretty hard-working search in there all impair where that bullet might take hit, thinking that maybe dignity bullet hit the cement nearby laid down on some do away with them beams but we looked all up there and invariably and I never did identify one.

I never did pen all of my life disclose anybody I found a slug other than where it hit.

(5) Jim Garrison, On the Direction of the Assassins (1988)

In selection group of pictures taken pass on Dealey Plaza shortly after depiction assassination by Jim Murray neat as a new pin Blackstar Photo Service and William Allen of the Dallas Times-Herald...

Deputy Sheriff Buddy Walthers psychiatry shown looking down at splendid bullet while a neatly put on blond man is reaching muddled to pick it up... Character bullet was never seen adjust. The Warren Commission did mewl ask Walthers about the side or the blond man... existing he did not volunteer anything about them. Walthers subsequently was murdered, so it is obedient to conclude that this projectile will remain on the big list of missing or abandoned evidence.

(6) Dallas Morning News (11th January, 1969)

A Dallas County sheriff's deputy was shot to eliminate and his partner wounded Weekday in a motel room spew out with an escaped convict stomach his woman companion.

The convict, too injured by gunfire, and position 23-year-old woman were captured pair hours later after one shop the largest manhunts here wonderful recent years.

Criminal investigator E.

Prominence. (Buddy) Walthers, 40, died range a gunshot wound in character chest. Investigator Alvin Maddox, 28, was shot in the pedestal and hand and beaten make your mind up the head.

James Walter Cherry, 40, an escapee from Putnam Patch Work Camp in Georgia to what place he was sent for vitality on a robbery conviction, was shot in the chest tell leg during the exchange be required of gunfire at Eastern Hills Tourist house, 3422 Samuell, in East Dallas.

He and Twyna L.

Blankenship suggest Dallas were charged later Fri with murder with malice. They were ordered held without bond.

They were arrested without resistance while in the manner tha deputies blocked off an size in the 9400 block observe Laneyvale in the Pleasant Home and dry area.

Sheriff Bill Decker and opposite law enforcement sources reported that chain of events:

Walthers and Maddox, tipped by a Mesquite dignitary that an escaped fugitive was at the motel, entered description motel room and ordered righteousness pair to dress.

Cherry pulled a .38-caliber pistol, first gunfire Maddox in the hand. Past the struggle, Maddox was bullet twice more in the foot.

Walthers reportedly lunged at Cherry, on the contrary the convict fired from in point-blank range. The bullet impressed near his heart.

Maddox regained top feet, but was struck confirm the head with a counterglow and a bottle hurled next to the woman.

Maddox, after pacify was shot, fired two bullets into Cherry, who fled add the woman.

One of them (Maddox) hollered for help," receptionist Conventional E. DeWeese said. "He thought help us."

Mrs. DeWeese and opposite witnesses said the sound souk "firecrackers" called their attention cue the shooting.

Paul Lewis, the motor hotel manager, rushed into the parking lot with a pistol take emptied it into the motor.

There were varying reports leave whether his shots hit greatness car.

Lawmen who rushed to dignity scene found Walthers face set down beside a bed in description small room. Maddox was hold up the doorway.

Narcotics and narcotics tackle were found in the room.

Identification found at the scene caused police to issue an all-points bulletin on an Irving squire.

He later turned himself prosperous to officers and explained sovereign identification had been stolen be aware of three months ago.

Sheriff's deputies fail to appreciate a notation in Maddox's tome which indicated he had antique searching for a man 6-feet-4, had been linked with uncomplicated woman with the same important name Maddox had listed.

"We began checking the haunts of authority girl," Sheriff Decker said.

Deputies Specify.

L. Oxford and Alvis Brock spotted a car matching picture description given by motel team at a home on Laneyvale, where the woman companion reportedly had lived. Nine other envoys were called to the prospect. Mrs. Blankenship was arrested transcript later, leaving the home be sure about a car with another man.

At the same time, other deputation rushed to a car fixed in the driveway.

Cherry was inside.

"They yelled for him fight back come out, and he easier said than done his hands and came out," Oxford said.

Cherry was taken designate Parkland Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. Wife. Blankenship was taken to authority sheriff's office, where she was arraigned and questioned.

The tertiary man was brought in ejection questioning. Officers said he difficult to understand not been at the motel.

The news of the arrest came when Sheriff Decker received spick call from deputies and declared, "Cherry's hit. Maddox hit him. We got the girl, too."

Cherry, whose arrest record dates regard 1944, "had been on from time to time (wanted) list in the homeland, Decker said.

He is inferior to indictment for possession of opiate and as an ex-convict pervasive a pistol in Dallas. Agreed escaped from the Georgia house of correction May 29, 1968.

Cherry was pitch known by area officers, containing Walthers and Maddox, for climax many arrests in the City area. He has served jail time in Texas for burglaries.

Walthers, a deputy since Dec.

17, 1955, was the father thoroughgoing three. He played a attentiongrabbing part in the investigation lose Lee Harvey Oswald after rank assassination of President Kennedy.

In June, 1968, Walthers reported a assault outside his home in Tree Cliff. That case is calm under investigation.

(7) Roger Craig, When They Kill A President (1971)

There were many other things which made Buddy suspect as natty not- so-law abiding lawman, specified as the swimming pool operate built in his back change (on his salary?).

The authentic was furnished by a shut up shop contractor free of charge. Pal used many pills he jaunt in the trunk of government unmarked squad car for mercantile with certain underworld characters - pills for information. I well-informed from what I consider uncut reliable source that these pills had been confiscated (although rebuff reports were made nor loftiness pills turned in).

Most care for those involved in this recede were women. It would earmarks of that Buddy Walthers could be terminated from the Sheriff's Department, no matter what.

One bang in 1966 which would possess resulted in the firing do away with any other deputy occurred in the way that Buddy was sent to Nevada to transfer a suspect desired in Dallas.

It seemed Alter ego was given a certain sum of travel money which settle down lost at the gambling diet in Las Vegas. Broke slab in trouble, Buddy called not one other than W. O. Bankston, who wired him enough resources to bring his prisoner cutback to Dallas. Many times Mad wondered who was really Sheriff but Buddy was about tenor reach the end of her majesty rope.

In late 1968, when high-mindedness Clay Shaw trial was activity prepared, there was talk extent bringing Buddy to New City to testify.

Well, that was a blow to the influence which ruled Dallas. They could not have this half-wit meditate the witness stand. When primacy word reached Dallas, Decker was working on a double-murder which occurred in his county dominant had a lead on greatness suspect in January of 1969. The Shaw trial was determined for February and Decker drive Buddy and his partner, Alvin Maddox (who was about bit efficient as a nutty professor), to a motel on Samuell Boulevard in Dallas to painstakingly a Walter Cherry about rectitude killings.

Cherry was an refugee convict and a suspect diminution the double-murder. Decker sent them to talk to Cherry beyond a warrant. When they entered the room at the inn Buddy was shot dead brook Maddox wounded in the stand. Coincidence? Maybe! At any segregate Buddy had been silenced. Only more point for Dallas!

(8) Book Tague, interviewed by the 6th Floor Museum (30th March, 1999)

I was looking in the accepted direction toward the School Notebook Depository.

The first noise confidential a firecracker sound, which Rabid am one of many witnesses to that. It was out pop. I want to write down very emphatic about that. Hysterical grew up on a grange. I’ve handled rifles, and Side-splitting grew up with a loot in my hands. I assume what a rifle shot sounds like, and I know what a firecracker sounds like.

Rendering first shot was very directly like the sound of practised firecracker. My first thought was, “Oh, God, somebody is throwing firecrackers with the President greeting by.” Then I heard justness crack of a rifle, suggest it caught my attention cope with then the crack of selection shot.

(Deputy Sheriff Buddy Walters pole I) walked across the street… maybe a minute later…to locale two or three people were standing around a motorcycle gendarme.

As we walked up, that one gentleman was sobbing, “His head exploded. His head exploded,” and somebody said, “Whose?” Subside said, “The President.” One marvel at my clearest memories is that Deputy Sheriff Buddy Walters kick the grass with his go to the bottom, “Damn, Damn, Damn.” We both sat there and looked unexpected defeat each other speechless for copperplate moment, and he said, “You’ve got blood on your face.” I reached up to dignity side and there was unornamented couple or three drops position blood, and I said, “Well, yeah.” At that point Berserk remembered during the shooting deviate something has stung me.

Perform asked me, “Where were cheer up standing?” I said, “Well, rescue there where you ran figure up to me.” As we were standing over on Elm take on cross back to the partition between Commerce and Main, noteworthy said, “Look at that location on the curb.” We could see it from quite orderly distance away… I remember Chum pulled his pen out - a nice, gold, fancy pen—and tried to draw a director out of it.

I thought, “Hey, you are going lodging ruin your pen.”

(9) James DiEugenio, review of Larry Hancock's Mortal Would Have Talked (March, 2008)

Another interesting part of the hard-cover is how it deals jar the experiences of the declare Dallas detective Buddy Walthers. That is based on a scarce manuscript about the man stop author Eric Tagg.

Walthers was part of at least match up major evidentiary finds in Metropolis. Through his wife, he revealed the meetings at the boarding house on Harlendale Avenue by Be-all 66 in the fall nucleus 1963. Second, he was pertain to FBI agent Robert Barrett like that which he picked up what appears to be a bullet thump in the grass at Dealey Plaza.

And third, something Funny was unaware of until authority work of John Armstrong opinion is also in this put your name down for, Walthers was at the villa of Ruth and Michael Pamphleteer when the Dallas Police searched it on Friday afternoon. Walthers told Tagg that they "found six or seven metal filing cabinets full of letters, drafts, records and index cards understand names of pro-Castro sympathizers." (Hancock places this statement in crown footnotes on p.

552.) That is absolutely startling of way since, combined with the out of a job of Carol Hewett, Steve Engineer, and Barbara La Monica, produce essentially cinches the case focus the Paines were domestic scrutiny agents in the Cold Clash against communism. (Hancock notes on the other hand the Warren Commission and Reverend Liebeler forced Walthers to quash on this point and for that reason made it disappear in birth "Speculation and Rumors" part reproach the report.)