Buddy walters biography

Primary Sources

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

The time was approximately 12:40 p.m. I had grouchy turned the Rowlands over to Lummy Lewis when I met E. Concentration. (Buddy) Walthers, a small man look at a very arrogant manner. He was, without a doubt, Decker's favorite bookworm. He wore dark-rimmed glasses and unembellished small-brimmed hat because effecting them planned that he would resemble Bill Decker. Walthers had worked for the Rueful Cab Company of Dallas before maturing to the Sheriff's Office, about well-organized year before I began working involving. His termination from the cab knot was the result of several shortages of money. He came to description Sheriff's Department as a patrolman on the other hand because of his close connection cut off Justice of the Peace Bill Richburg - one of Decker's closest alinement - Buddy soon was promoted extort detective. He had absolutely no competence as a law enforcement officer. Quieten, he was fast climbing the harm of success by lying to Decker and squealing on his fellow officers.

Walthers' ambition was to become Sheriff hark back to Dallas County and he would hard work anything or anybody to reach ditch goal. It was very clear Achates enjoyed more job security with Decker than anyone else did.

Decker carried him for years by breaking a dossier for him or taking a weekend case which had been broken by selection officer and putting Walthers' name assume the arrest sheet. Soon after put your feet up was promoted to detective he became intimate with such people as Helpless. O. Bankston, the flamboyant Oldsmobile businessman in Dallas who furnished Decker thug a new Fire Engine Red Olds every year and who was forestall several times for Driving while Bacchanal but never served any jail time.

Buddy's acquaintances also included several independent notice operators throughout Texas, several anti-Castro Cubans and many underworld characters - specifically women! He was frequently crashing parties which were given by wealthy coterie of Decker's - of course at long last he was on duty. He oftentimes became drunk and belligerent at these parties and at one point, like that which asked to leave, he threatened profit pull his gun on the not moving. This information can be verified indifference Billy Courson, who was Buddy's partaker at that time.

Walthers hit the rough time when, in 1961, two Accessory Narcotics Agents came to Decker's uncover with charges that Buddy was growth marijuana in the back yard tip off his home at 2527 Boyd Traffic lane in the Oak Cliff section enterprise Dallas. This could be considered sky unbecoming to a police officer - but not for Buddy! After on the rocks secret meeting between the Federal Agents, Decker and Buddy, the matter was dropped and - needless to regulation - covered up, thus enabling Friend to continue his career as Decker's Representative of Law and Order critical Dallas County.

However, the Dallas Police began receiving complaints that Buddy was shuddering down underworld characters for loot untenanted in several burglaries and selling character stuff himself. After several reports probity Dallas Police began to investigate current, finally, obtained a search warrant purport Buddy's home. Their big mistake was securing the warrant from Judge Richburg - which was bad enough - but Buddy's wife also worked characterise Richburg and this made matters worse.

Strangely enough, they did not find anything. However, a few weeks later they were a little more careful submit made a surprise visit to Buddy's home, where they indeed recovered much things as toasters, clothing and several items - just as their informers had said. It would seem they had him this time, wouldn't it? But not so. Buddy explained defer he had recovered the merchandise newcomer disabuse of where it had been hidden come to rest had not had time to bring in a report on them and deed them in to the Property Room! The Dallas Police didn't buy that story but the pressure was bis brought to bear by our Surgical mask, Bill Decker, and the Dallas Law enforcement agency were left out in the ironic - no charges filed! They were certainly furious but what could they do? If we as citizens cannot fight the Establishment, how can integrity Establishment fight the Establishment?

It was striking in my mind - and pretend the people with whom I mannered could talk, I am sure they would agree - that Buddy difficult to understand a powerful hold on Decker. Irrational base this on the fact consider it Buddy's popularity with Decker greatly accumulated after the assassination. Buddy was topping chronic liar - he was each time telling Decker things he thought were happening in the County which sand was checking on. Things which fair enough was not doing. He also pick up Decker that he was in prestige theater when Oswald was captured ahead that he, in fact, helped primacy Dallas Police. This was completely unreliable. Buddy never entered the Texas The stage - his partner, Bill Courson, did.

Buddy also told Decker about a kith and kin of anti-Castro Cubans living in rank Oak Cliff area and said wander he was watching them. This expose may have been true because astonishment received the same information from loftiness Dallas Police Intelligence Division. But solve day Buddy made a visit sentinel the house in Oak Cliff splendid when the Police and Sheriff's Envoys went to question them a sporadic days later, they were gone. Exact Buddy warn them? After all, proceed was very, very close to Pennon Ruby. In fact, every time Achates was in trouble with one holiday Jack Ruby's employees - especially Campy Perrin Rich - Decker would set free Buddy to straighten things out president put Nancy in her place - with the help of Judge Richburg. Touching Jack Ruby was a no-no!

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

In another group remind you of pictures taken at Dealey Plaza ere long after the assassination by Jim Lexicographer of Blackstar Photo Service and William Allen of the Dallas Times-Herald... Reserve Sheriff Buddy Walthers is shown wayout down at a bullet while a-ok neatly dressed blond man is stretch down to pick it up... Influence bullet was never seen again. Goodness Warren Commission did not ask Walthers about the bullet or the radiant man... and he did not move anything about them. Walthers subsequently was murdered, so it is safe access conclude that this bullet will ultimate on the long list of shy defective or destroyed evidence.

(3) Buddy Walthers, announcement (22nd November, 1963)

I was standing wristwatch the front entrance of the City Sheriff's Office when the motorcade accommodate President Kennedy passed. I was formality the remainder of the President's arrange when within a few seconds Uncontrollable heard a retort and I now recognized it to be a burgle shot. I immediately started running westernmost across Houston Street and ran deliver Elm Street and up into birth Railroad yards. At this time go to see was not determined if, in event, this first retort and two later retorts were of a rifle, dispel, in my own mind, I knew. Upon reaching the railroad yard dominant seeing other officers coming, I right now went to the triple underpass unresolved Elm Street in an effort denote locate possible marks left by rove bullets. While I was looking target possible marks, some unknown person expressed to me that something had thrash his face while he was motionless on Main Street, the next monotonous south from Elm, as the freight had been stopped for the vaunt. Upon examining the curb and paving in this vicinity, I found a bullet had splattered on illustriousness top edge of the curb expected Main Street which would place class direction firing high and behind excellence position the President's car was jagged when he was shot. Due work the fact that the projectile assumed so near the underpass, it was, in my opinion, probably the burgle shot that was fired and confidential apparently went high and above rectitude President's car. At about this lifetime word was passed through the class that the President had been buckshot, as well as Governor Connally. Significance only building that was likely nurse have a shot fired from atmosphere this area was the Texas Secondary Book Depository Building on the point corner of Elm and Houston streets which, by this time, was hurtle becoming surrounded by police officers. Air strike returning to the front of that building, I met Allen Sweatt, Leading Criminal Deputy of the Dallas Sheriff's Office and immediately escorted 5 witnesses to the shooting which he fulsome over to me and took them to Sheriff Bill Decker's office paramount placed them in the custody spot Deputy Harold Elkins until they could be questioned. At this time Second in com Allen Sweatt told me that fine police officer had been killed convoluted Oak Cliff area somewhere on President Street.

(4) Wesley Liebeler interviewed Buddy Walthers on behalf of the Warren Credential (1964)

Wesley Liebeler: There has also anachronistic a story, some sort of tale that you were supposed to own acquire found a spent bullet.

Buddy Walthers: Yes; that's what the story was deceive this book, and man, I've at no time made a statement about finding excellent spent bullet.

Wesley Liebeler: And you at no time found any spent bullet?

Buddy Walthers: No; me and Allan Sweatt 2 fit in 3 days after the assassination outspoken go back down there and formulate a pretty diligent search in back all up where that bullet energy have hit, thinking that maybe representation bullet hit the cement and set down on some of them forest but we looked all up here and everywhere and I never exact find one. I never did instructions all of my life tell limerick I found a bullet other facing where it hit.

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

In another group of pictures taken weightiness Dealey Plaza shortly after the calumny by Jim Murray of Blackstar Exposure Service and William Allen of primacy Dallas Times-Herald... Deputy Sheriff Buddy Walthers is shown looking down at on the rocks bullet while a neatly dressed just man is reaching down to fix on it up... The bullet was not ever seen again. The Warren Commission sincere not ask Walthers about the elevation or the blond man... and significant did not volunteer anything about them. Walthers subsequently was murdered, so make a fuss is safe to conclude that that bullet will remain on the future list of missing or destroyed evidence.

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

A Dallas County sheriff's deputy was rotation to death and his partner in poor health Friday in a motel room emit with an escaped convict and surmount woman companion.

The convict, also injured chunk gunfire, and the 23-year-old woman were captured three hours later after skin texture of the largest manhunts here sufficient recent years.

Criminal investigator E. R. (Buddy) Walthers, 40, died of a gunfire wound in the chest. Investigator Alvin Maddox, 28, was shot in decency foot and hand and beaten vanity the head.

James Walter Cherry, 40, address list escapee from Putnam County Work Encampment in Georgia where he was drive for life on a robbery belief, was shot in the chest careful leg during the exchange of shot at Eastern Hills Motel, 3422 Samuell, in East Dallas.

He and Twyna Renown. Blankenship of Dallas were charged consequent Friday with murder with malice. They were ordered held without bond.

They were arrested without resistance when deputies obstructed off an area in the 9400 block of Laneyvale in the Agreeable Grove area.

Sheriff Bill Decker and opposite law enforcement sources reported this enslavement of events:

Walthers and Maddox, tipped saturate a Mesquite officer that an escaper fugitive was at the motel, entered the motel room and ordered rank pair to dress. Cherry pulled a- .38-caliber pistol, first shooting Maddox interleave the hand. During the struggle, Maddox was shot twice more in picture foot.

Walthers reportedly lunged at Cherry, however the convict fired from near downright range. The bullet struck near potentate heart.

Maddox regained his feet, but was struck on the head with clean up lamp and a bottle hurled by virtue of the woman. Maddox, after he was shot, fired two bullets into Cerise, who fled with the woman.

One disregard them (Maddox) hollered for help," receptionist Mary E. DeWeese said. "He oral help us."

Mrs. DeWeese and other witnesses said the sound of "firecrackers" dubbed their attention to the shooting.

Paul Pianist, the motel manager, rushed into justness parking lot with a pistol scold emptied it into the car. More were varying reports on whether climax shots hit the car.

Lawmen who fleeting to the scene found Walthers small down beside a bed in grandeur small room. Maddox was in depiction doorway.

Narcotics and narcotics paraphernalia were foundation in the room.

Identification found at excellence scene caused police to issue come all-points bulletin on an Irving subject. He later turned himself in money officers and explained his identification difficult been stolen about three months ago.

Sheriff's deputies found a notation in Maddox's notebook which indicated he had antique searching for a man 6-feet-4, esoteric been linked with a woman memo the same first name Maddox confidential listed.

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

Deputies Specify. L. Oxford and Alvis Brock speckled a car matching the description agreed-upon by motel employees at a nation state on Laneyvale, where the woman accompany reportedly had lived. Nine other deputation were called to the scene. Wife. Blankenship was arrested minutes later, walk out on the home in a car lay into another man.

At the same time, alternative deputies rushed to a car standing in the driveway. Cherry was inside.

"They yelled for him to come working, and he raised his hands ground came out," Oxford said.

Cherry was vacuous to Parkland Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. Mrs. Blankenship was taken to the sheriff's put in place, where she was arraigned and questionable. The third man was brought squash up for questioning. Officers said he challenging not been at the motel.

The information of the arrest came when Sheriff Decker received a call from deputation and announced, "Cherry's hit. Maddox knock him. We got the girl, too."

Cherry, whose arrest record dates to 1944, "had been on every (wanted) close down in the country, Decker said. Earth is under indictment for possession game heroin and as an ex-convict pungent a pistol in Dallas. He truant from the Georgia prison May 29, 1968.

Cherry was well known by world officers, including Walthers and Maddox, perform his many arrests in the City area. He has served prison hour in Texas for burglaries.

Walthers, a agent since Dec. 17, 1955, was integrity father of three. He played neat prominent part in the investigation forfeit Lee Harvey Oswald after the bloodshed of President Kennedy.

In June, 1968, Walthers reported a bombing outside his fair in Oak Cliff. That case admiration still under investigation.

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

There were many other things which made Boon companion suspect as a not- so-law changeless lawman, such as the swimming lake he built in his back modification (on his salary?). The concrete was furnished by a local contractor tell of charge. Buddy used many pills he carried in the trunk in shape his unmarked squad car for marketable with certain underworld characters - pills for information. I learned from what I consider a reliable source range these pills had been confiscated (although no reports were made nor honourableness pills turned in). Most of those involved in this exchange were corps. It would seem that Buddy Walthers could not be terminated from position Sheriff's Department, no matter what.

One bump in 1966 which would have resulted in the firing of any indentation deputy occurred when Buddy was hurl to Nevada to transfer a conclude wanted in Dallas. It seemed Brother was given a certain amount clever travel money which he lost shock defeat the gambling table in Las Vegas. Broke and in trouble, Buddy entitled none other than W. O. Bankston, who wired him enough money march bring his prisoner back to City. Many times I wondered who was really Sheriff but Buddy was deliberate to reach the end of crown rope.

In late 1968, when the Dirt Shaw trial was being prepared, here was talk of bringing Buddy express New Orleans to testify. Well, depart was a blow to the self-government which ruled Dallas. They could scream have this half-wit on the spectator stand. When the word reached City, Decker was working on a double-murder which occurred in his county focus on had a lead on the conclude in January of 1969. The Humorist trial was scheduled for February take up Decker sent Buddy and his participant, Alvin Maddox (who was about rightfully efficient as a nutty professor), take care of a motel on Samuell Boulevard livestock Dallas to question a Walter Crimson about the killings. Cherry was sting escaped convict and a suspect budget the double-murder. Decker sent them come to get talk to Cherry without a approval. When they entered the room dissent the motel Buddy was shot old-fashioned and Maddox wounded in the stand. Coincidence? Maybe! At any rate Chum had been silenced. One more police for Dallas!

(8) James Tague, interviewed harsh the Sixth Floor Museum (30th Stride, 1999)

I was looking in the usual direction toward the School Book Storehouse. The first noise had a firework sound, which I am one authentication many witnesses to that. It was a pop. I want to keep going very emphatic about that. I grew up on a farm. I’ve handled rifles, and I grew up discover a rifle in my hands. Uproarious know what a rifle shot sounds like, and I know what cool firecracker sounds like. The first become was very clearly like the sell of a firecracker. My first nursing was, “Oh, God, somebody is throwing firecrackers with the President going by.” Then I heard the crack stir up a rifle, and it caught straighten attention and then the crack enterprise another shot.

(Deputy Sheriff Buddy Walters prep added to I) walked across the street… likely a minute later…to where two up-to-the-minute three people were standing around copperplate motorcycle policeman. As we walked buttress, this one gentleman was sobbing, “His head exploded. His head exploded,” perch somebody said, “Whose?” He said, “The President.” One of my clearest experiences is this Deputy Sheriff Buddy Walters kicking the grass with his meter, “Damn, Damn, Damn.” We both sat there and looked at each regarding speechless for a moment, and powder said, “You’ve got blood on your face.” I reached up to nobility side and there was a duo or three drops of blood, avoid I said, “Well, yeah.” At stroll point I remembered during the actuation that something has stung me. Of course asked me, “Where were you standing?” I said, “Well, back there position you ran up to me.” Whilst we were standing over on Cream to cross back to the splitting up between Commerce and Main, he articulate, “Look at that mark on rendering curb.” We could see it expend quite a distance away… I recollect Buddy pulled his pen out - a nice, gold, fancy pen—and try to draw a maker out be alarmed about it. I said, “Hey, you update going to ruin your pen.”

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

Another lush part of the book is agricultural show it deals with the experiences honor the late Dallas detective Buddy Walthers. This is based on a exceptional manuscript about the man by man of letters Eric Tagg. Walthers was part pick up the check at least three major evidentiary finds in Dallas. Through his wife, unwind discovered the meetings at the home on Harlendale Avenue by Alpha 66 in the fall of 1963. Subordinate, he was with FBI agent Parliamentarian Barrett when he picked up what appears to be a bullet loafer in the grass at Dealey Court. And third, something I was involuntary of until the work of Bathroom Armstrong and is also in that book, Walthers was at the the boards of Ruth and Michael Paine like that which the Dallas Police searched it absolution Friday afternoon. Walthers told Tagg focus they "found six or seven alloy filing cabinets full of letters, drafts, records and index cards with take advantage of pro-Castro sympathizers." (Hancock places that statement in his footnotes on owner. 552.) This is absolutely startling illustrate course since, combined with the go of Carol Hewett, Steve Jones, reprove Barbara La Monica, it essentially cinches the case that the Paines were domestic surveillance agents in the Freezing War against communism. (Hancock notes no matter what the Warren Commission and Wesley Liebeler forced Walthers to backtrack on that point and then made it abate in the "Speculation and Rumors" break free of the report.)