</s>EMERGENC CONTROL CENTER AND SECURIT AT PARKER CENTER EMERGENCY CONTROL CENTROL CENTER and SECURI The following is a narrative of the activities at the Emergency Control Center (B.C.C.) and security measures taken at the Emergergy Control Center on June 5, 1960, from 12:25 a.m. to June 6, 1968, at Center on June 6. 1960, was activated in order to provide person- 2:30 p.m ., The B.C ., C.C .. was activated to order to distribute person- nel and logistics to the field forces, to collect and disseminate information from field command posts, and to coordinate the acti- vities of the Department. Security of Parker Center became essential in order in provide maximum protection for both Sirhan Sirhan and the B. C. C ., 12:25 am. While in the vicinity of Parker Centeir, en route home from a late meeting, Deputy Chief E. M. Davis learned of the assassi- nation attempt on the life of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. He Immediately reported to the Business Office and assumed the duties of Department Commander. After being briefed on the situation by Captain W. O. Fudge, he telephoned Chief Reddin to appraise him of the shooting. Reddin advised him to dispatch Fudge to Central Receiving Hospital to assume command there. Lieutenant W. E. Hogue, who was on an off-duty status at the Business Office, reported his availability to Deputy Chief Davis. Davis directed him to report to Central Receiving Hospital as his aide to relay information on the Situation there. Sergeant F. O . Ellis instructed Clerk Typist Madeline Duddles to commenco and maintain a "log of occurrences." -280- 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
On June 5, 1968, Senator Robert F. Kennedy was fatally shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles during an election night celebration. The assassination occurred at approximately 12:15 a.m., with Sirhan Bishara, a Jordanian immigrant, identified as the perpetrator. He fired multiple shots into Kennedy’s head and right armpit while in a serving pantry of the hotel, wounding five others. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) led the initial investigation, which expanded to include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) due to potential international or subversive conspiracy implications. A special task force, designated Special Unit Senator, was formed under Captain Hugh Brown to coordinate multi-agency efforts. The investigation involved extensive background checks on Sirhan, interviews with witnesses, and analysis of physical evidence, including the murder weapon and ammunition. Over 50,000 pages of reports, 155 items of evidence, and 1,700 photographs were compiled during case preparation. The report concluded no credible conspiracy was substantiated, though numerous leads were explored. Following Kennedy’s death on June 6, his body was transferred from Good Samaritan Hospital to Los Angeles International Airport under Secret Service and police coordination, with motorcades and crowd control measures in place. The Emergency Control Center (B.C.C.) was activated to coordinate emergency response, security, and press management, later deactivated at 2:30 p.m. on June 6.  

Key People  
- **Robert F. Kennedy**: U.S. Senator assassinated at the Ambassador Hotel.  
- **Sirhan Bishara**: Jordanian immigrant arrested for the assassination; investigated for potential connections to political groups, extremist networks, and foreign entities.  
- **William Gardner**: Head of hotel security at the Ambassador Hotel, responsible for crowd control measures.  
- **William Barry**: Ex-FBI agent serving as Kennedy’s personal security detail.  
- **Frederick Dutton**: Kennedy’s California campaign manager, involved in security planning and interactions with law enforcement.  
- **Richard Tuck**: Kennedy aide who coordinated movement plans with Barry and Dutton.  
- **Rafer Johnson**: Joined Kennedy staff to assist with crowd control.  
- **Deputy Chief E. M. Davis**: Assumed command of the B.C.C. after learning of the shooting.  
- **Chief Reddin**: Directed operations, including news conferences and coordination with federal agencies.  
- **Inspector M. W. Howe**: Oversaw Sirhan’s security and isolation at Parker Center.  
- **Sergeant D. N. Cooke**: Managed press relations, issued temporary passes to 127 accredited journalists.  
- **Jesse Unruh**: California Assembly speaker who addressed a crowd during the event.  
- **Jack Cross**: Unruh’s legislative assistant who requested Kennedy’s presence in the ballroom prior to the shooting.  

Key Locations  
- **Ambassador Hotel (Los Angeles)**: Site of the assassination and subsequent investigation, including the Embassy Room (Kennedy’s victory speech location), Colonial Room (planned press conference site), and kitchen area (movement path for Kennedy’s group).  
- **Parker Center**: Headquarters for emergency operations and Sirhan’s detention.  
- **Good Samaritan Hospital**: Where Senator Kennedy was treated before his death.  
- **Los Angeles International Airport**: Site of the body transfer from Good Samaritan Hospital.  
- **Corona Range**: Identified as a location where Sirhan practiced shooting prior to the assassination.  
- **Pasadena Police Department**: Involved in Sirhan’s arrest, arraignment, and subsequent investigations.  

Key Events  
- **June 4, 1968**: Kennedy delivered a victory speech at the Embassy Room of the Ambassador Hotel, followed by movement to the Colonial Room for press coverage.  
- **June 5, 1968**: Sirhan fired multiple shots into Kennedy during a crowded serving pantry, resulting in his death and injuries to five others. Reporters followed Kennedy closely as he moved through the hotel, with instructions to Life Magazine correspondent to avoid crowds and meet him at the Colonial Room after his speech. A small group accompanying Kennedy took a service elevator to the kitchen area to bypass hotel lobby crowds. Sirhan was captured by onlookers who assisted in his arrest.  
- **June 6, 1968**: Transfer of Senator Kennedy’s body from Good Samaritan Hospital to Los Angeles International Airport under police and Secret Service coordination. The B.C.C. was deactivated at 2:30 p.m. after operations concluded.  
- **"Tactical Alert"**: Implemented due to staffing shortages, affecting patrol and traffic divisions.  
- **Formation of Special Unit Senator**: Task force established on June 9–10, 1968, under Captain Hugh Brown to coordinate the multi-agency investigation.  

Key Organizations  
- **Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)**: Led initial investigation, coordinated emergency response, and managed press relations.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Involved in investigating potential international or subversive conspiracy elements.  
- **Pasadena Police Department**: Handled Sirhan’s arrest, arraignment, and subsequent investigations.  
- **Special Unit Senator**: Multi-agency task force established to manage the investigation, including evidence collection, witness interviews, and case preparation.  
- **State Department of Justice, Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation**: Provided criminal records and information for investigative purposes.  
- **Secret Service**: Oversaw security for Senator Kennedy’s body transfer.

RFK Declassified Files

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