Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Black and white photograph of the pilot car of the Kennedy motorcade in Dallas
Black and white photograph of the pilot car of the Kennedy motorcade in Dallas

Black and white photograph of the pilot car of the Kennedy motorcade in Dallas

Object number2006.020.0001
Date11/22/1963
ClassificationsPhotographs
Photographer Jim Walker
ObjectPhotograph (b&w)
Credit LineJim Walker Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
MediumPaper
Dimensions3 1/4 x 4 3/4 in. (8.3 x 12.1 cm)
Collections
DescriptionBlack and white photograph of the pilot car for the Kennedy motorcade in Dallas. This vehicle was the pilot car for the motorcade. It was a white Ford sedan driven by Dallas Police Deputy Chief George L. Lumpkin. Other occupants included Dallas homicide detectives Billy L. Senkel and F.M. Turner and Army Lt. Col. George Whitmeyer, commander of the local Army reserve unit. The pilot car drove ahead of the motorcade, behind a group of motorcycle officers. Sheriff Bill Decker rode in the next car, driven by Chief Jesse Curry. Including the leading group of motorcycles, the president's limousine was actually number 6 in the motorcade.
Curatorial Commentary

This amateur photograph of the pilot car for the presidential parade was taken by Jim Walker, a mail sorter at the Terminal Annex building in Dealey Plaza. Walker took photos of the motorcade from the corner of Main and Market Street. Following the assassination, he also photographed the scene at Dealey Plaza and outside the Texas Theatre in Oak Cliff.  Mr. Walker, who donated all of his images to the Museum in 2006, recorded an oral history about his experiences on June 6, 2006. - Stephen Fagin, Associate Curator