DescriptionVideotaped oral history program with Paul Bentley. Chief polygraph examiner with the Dallas Police Department in 1963, Bentley was involved in the arrest of Lee Harvey Oswald at the Texas Theatre.
Program conducted at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza on September 14, 2007. The program is twenty-seven minutes long.
Curatorial Commentary
Mr. Bentley passed away on July 21, 2008. In the last two years of his life, Bentley was a frequent program guest at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. Always eager to share his dramatic story of the arrest of Lee Harvey Oswald at the Texas Theatre, Bentley particularly appreciated the young visitors who requested photographs and autographs at the conclusion of his programs.
Mr. Bentley recorded videotaped oral histories in 1994 and 2008. He also participated in a series of Museum programs recorded between 2007 and 2008. This particular program from September 14, 2007, is unique because it was the only time that Bentley shared his story as a solo lecture without the use of a moderator. For that reason, this is, in my opinion, the most interesting and personal of his Museum programs (perhaps because I was able to enjoy the show as videographer rather than participate as interviewer). - Stephen Fagin, Associate Curator
Bentley caught his right ankle in one of the seats during the scuffle with Oswald and eventually went to a hospital for treatment. The next morning, Bentley granted some on-camera media interviews in the DPD hallway, talking about the arrest of Oswald while supported by crutches and with his right foot wrapped in bandages. - Gary Mack, Curator
In May of 2008 Paul Bentley spoke to a group of middle and high school students as part of a Living History education program that allows audiences to “become oral historians” by asking questions of a special guest. The students were absolutely captivated by the experience and relished the opportunity to talk with Detective Bentley and shake hands with him after the program. Sadly, two months later Paul Bentley passed away. In the days leading up to his funeral, family members told Museum staff how much he enjoyed sharing his memories with the appreciative students. That Living History presentation with Paul Bentley remains, without a doubt, one of my all-time favorite programs at The Sixth Floor Museum. - Sharron Conrad, Curator of Education
