L. C. Graves (October 8, 1918 – February 11, 1995) was an American police detective. He worked for the Dallas Police Department and wrestled the gun from nightclub owner, Jack Ruby after Ruby shot Lee Harvey Oswald, the suspected assassin of John F. Kennedy.[1][2][3]

L. C. Graves
Graves (right with dark hat) during the Murder of Lee Harvey Oswald
Born(1918-10-08)October 8, 1918
DiedFebruary 11, 1995(1995-02-11) (aged 76)
OccupationPolice detective
SpouseMyrt Graves[1]
Children2[1]

Graves was born in Camp County, Texas,[4][5] and served in the United States Army during World War II.[5] Graves worked for the Dallas Police Department from 1949 to 1970.[1][5] His job was involved with homicide and robberies.[4][5] He was also the brother-in-law of police detective, Paul Bentley, who arrested Lee Harvey Oswald.[6] Graves and fellow detective Jim Leavelle were assigned as bodyguards for Oswald.[1][7] After Ruby shot Oswald, Graves wrestled the revolver from Ruby’s hand.[1] Graves had a testimony before the Warren Commission from March 24, 1964, to April 17, 1964.[4][3]

Graves died on February 11, 1995, of heart failure at the Presbyterian Hospital in Kaufman, Texas, at the age of 76.[1] According to The New York Times, it was changed that he died from a surgery.[8] Graves is buried at Grove Hill Cemetery.[9]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e f g "L. C. Graves, 76, Dallas Officer Who Wrestled Gun From Ruby". The New York Times. February 14, 1995. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  2. ^ "Witness Ascribes Malice To Ruby; Quotes Him as Saying He Hopes Oswald Would Die". The New York Times. March 5, 1964. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "L. C. Graves, 76, Dallas Officer Who Wrestled Gun From Ruby". The New York Times. Associated Press. 1995-02-14. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  4. ^ a b c United States. Warren Commission (1964), Investigation of the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy: Hearings Before the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy · Volume 7, U.S. Government Printing Office
  5. ^ a b c d Sneed, Larry (2002). No More Silence: An Oral History of the Assassination of President Kennedy. University of North Texas Press. p. 375. ISBN 9781574411485 – via Google Books.
  6. ^ Hevesi, Dennis (July 25, 2008). "Paul Bentley, 87, Dies; Detective Arrested Oswald". The New York Times. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  7. ^ Blumental, Ralph (August 29, 2019). "James R. Leavelle, Detective at Lee Harvey Oswald's Side, Dies at 99". The New York Times. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  8. ^ "Corrections". The New York Times. February 17, 1995. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  9. ^ Benoit, Tod (September 29, 2015). Where Are They Buried?: How Did They Die? Fitting Ends and Final Resting Places of the Famous, Infamous, and Noteworthy. Hachette Books. p. 539. ISBN 9780316391962 – via Google Books.