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Image of police chief Jesse Curry announcing Oswald's death
Image of police chief Jesse Curry announcing Oswald's death

Image of police chief Jesse Curry announcing Oswald's death

Object number1994.003.0035.0002
Date11/24/1963
ClassificationsPhotographs
Photographer Dallas Morning News Photographer
ObjectNegative (b&w)
Credit LineTom C. Dillard Collection, The Dallas Morning News/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
MediumFilm
Dimensions2 1/4 x 2 1/4 in. (5.7 x 5.7 cm)
DescriptionOriginal black and white negative by a Dallas Morning News photographer. This image shows Dallas police chief Jesse Curry speaking to reporters at Dallas police headquarters on November 24, 1963 in Dallas, Texas. This image was taken at the press conference announcing Lee Harvey Oswald's death. Dallas Police Captain Glen King, who handled public relations for the department, is visible on the left.
Curatorial Commentary
A visibly upset Dallas Police Chief Curry made a very brief announcement after Oswald was pronounced dead at Parkland Memorial Hospital. Curry simply stated: "Oswald expired at 1:07PM." An unknown reporter, apparently confused, questioned: "He died?" Curry then clarified: "He died at 1:07PM. We have arrested the man. The man will be charged with murder. The suspect's name is Jack Rubenstein, I believe. He goes by the name of Jack Ruby. That's all I have to say. I have no other statement to make at this time." The announcement took less than thirty seconds. As he was removing a microphone from around his neck, Curry was asked to repeat his statement for the reporters who missed it initially. Curry, clearly unhappy at having to repeat himself, tersely provided the same statement almost verbatim, adding only that Jack Ruby was "a local Dallas man." He ignored all other questions. Curry's full exchange with reporters at this very brief press conference took just over one minute. - Stephen Fagin, Curator