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When we arrived, Chief Connelly told me the Secret Service had requested me if I was available because I had top Secret Security clearance. Chief Connelly and I went to the front steps of the Book Depository Building where we were met by Dallas Police, the F.B.I. and Secret Service Agents. We were then escorted to the front door where we were met by another F.B.I. agent. He in turn allowed only myself to enter. I was taken to the agent in charge and introduced. He explained what it was he wanted the Fire Department to provide. I asked him if I could bring one fireman in to assist since it was going to be several pieces of equipment. He asked me who this man would be. Did he have top secret security clearance. I told him his name was Harry Coombs and he did not have top secret security clearance. The agent asked me if I would vouch for him? I told him I would trust him with my life. He then said, get him. I brought Harry Coombs and introduced him to the agent in charge. We then went back to the Salvage Wagon to get floodlights, heavy extension cords, and a short ladder for later use. We were assigned to an agent that took us upstairs on the freight elevator. He explained what was about to happen. There was a cockloft above the 7t floor with a very steep set of wooden steps leading to it. Harry and I were to set our floodlights up in the cockloft. We were to follow four men up there that were carrying submachine guns, and at the designated time the agent down on the floor would turn (plug in) the cords. They suspected the assassin possibly could be hiding up there. Well, everything was going fine until we all eased up the stairs, guns ready, lights ready, nerves tense, and I do mean tense. A cough came from the other end of the cockloft. Guns clicked in readiness as they fell to the floor in readiness, lights came on, and a voice rang out - DON'T SHOOT! DON'T SHOOT! It's me! Harry and I didn't wait. We had already exited - slid down the stairs - faster than we had ever moved. Then we saw what had happened. Another agent who did not know what was about to happen found a ladder at the other end of the building with a hole in the ceiling above it, decided to climb up and investigate. As he stuck his head up in the cockloft, some dust got in his throat and he coughed. After this excitement we went through various parts of the building searching false ceilings with the agents to no avail. The agent then asked if Harry and I would like to go to the 6th floor where all the shooting had come from. He showed us where he, Lee Harvey Oswald, had stacked boxes neatly arranged around the area so that he would not be seen if someone
