James Leon Simmons stood atop the triple overpass with fellow workers S.M. Holland and Richard C. Dodd.
LANE. What did you see and what did you hear?
SIMMONS. As the presidential limousine was rounding the curve on Elm Street, there was a loud explosion. At the time I didn’t know what it was, but it sounded like a loud firecracker or a gun shot. Ann it sounded like it came form the left and in front of us towards the wooden fence. And there was a puff of smoke that came underneath of the trees on the embankment.
LANE. Where was the puff of smoke Mr Simmons in relation to the wooden fence?
SIMMONS. It was right directly in front of the wooden fence....
LANE. After you heard the shots and saw the smoke, what did you do?
SIMMONS. I was talkin with Patrolman Foster at the time. And as soon as we heard the shots we ran around to the wooden fence. And when we got there there was no one there. But there was footprints in the mud around the fence, and there was footprints on the wooden two by four railing on the fence.
LANE. Were you questioned by Dallas Police that day?
SIMMONS. Yes, I was.
LANE. Did you give your name to the Dallas Police?
SIMMONS. Yes, I did.
LANE. Did you tell them what you just told me?
SIMMONS. Yes, I did.
LANE. Were you subsequently questioned by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
SIMMONS. About a month later I was questioned by the FBI.
LANE. Did you tell them what you told me and what you told the Dallas Police?
SIMMONS. Yes, I did.