One of history’s least effective bodyguards, Jim Leavelle, has died. A sailor with the US Navy during World War II (he was present during the bombing of Pearl Harbor), Leavelle became a homicide detective in 1950. His contribution to world history came in 1963 when, while wearing a stupid tan suit and hat, he escorted Lee Harvey Oswald through the basement of Dallas Police HQ, in front of the world’s media. The moment was interrupted by mobster Jack Ruby, who decided this would be the perfect time to put a few bullets in ol’ LHO. In 1992, while attempting to re-enact the incident for a news report, he managed to shoot journalist Bob Porter in the stomach and nearly killed him. Like I said, fucking useless.
Jim Leavelle
August 23, 1920 – August 29, 2019
Died aged 99 (three picks)