American Historical Ephemera and Photography Featuring the Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann

5 x 4 in. "Dallas Police Department" shoulder patch worn by Officer Bobby Hargis on his left arm during John F. Kennedy's assassination, 22 November 1963 (tiny holes as a result of poor storage; otherwise in fine condition overall).

[With:] Impressive color photograph of Hargis riding in the motorcade with the Kennedys, fully inscribed and signed by him: “To my friend John Jovich – Bobby Hargis – Best of Everything.”  

The late Dallas Police motorcycle patrolman Bobby Hargis (1932-2014) was a reserved yet much admired gentleman, and a respected and dedicated police officer. On 22 November 1963, Hargis was one of four motorcycle patrolmen assigned to flank President John F. Kennedy’s midnight blue Lincoln Continental stretch limousine as he and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy motorcaded from Love Field Airport to the president’s scheduled luncheon at the Dallas Trade Mart. Officer Hargis was positioned on the left side of the vehicle closest to Mrs. Kennedy.  As the motorcade turned left onto Elm Street in Dealey Plaza, three shots rang out. Hearing the gunfire and seeing JFK in distress, Hargis sped his cycle forward and even with the rear trunk of the Lincoln. Then, the third and final shot struck President Kennedy in the head, killing him outright. Like Mrs. Kennedy, Governor and Mrs. John Connally, and Secret Service agent Clint Hill running to the car from behind, Hargis was splattered by blood, brain tissue and dura matter emitting from the president’s shattered skull. So violently was Hargis impacted by the debris that he pulled his cycle to the curb and, at first, believed he had been struck by one of the assassin’s bullets. The moment was graphic, historic, and tragic. With the exception of the patch offered here, nothing else Hargis wore on 22 November 1963 survived, nor did the cycle itself.