Hot Springs in Garland County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Nick McDonald
Law Enforcement
| | Hot Springs Arkansas Walk of Fame | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2024
1. Nick McDonald Marker
Served 25 years with the Dallas Police Officer McDonald is known worldwide as the Captor of Oswald the cold blooded assassin of U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Officer J.D. Tippit in Dallas, Texas on Nov. 22, 1963. He arrested Oswald following the killers armed assault of McDonald in Texas Theatre
Camden, Arkansas Inducted 2014
Erected by Hot Springs Arkansas Walk of Fame.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #35 John F. Kennedy series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 22, 1963.
Location. 34° 30.628′ N, 93° 3.216′ W. Marker is in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in Garland County. It is at the intersection of Spring Street and Central Avenue (State Highway 7), on the right when traveling west on Spring Street. The marker is embedded in the sidewalk near the southeast corner of the Hot Springs City Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 629 Central Avenue, Hot Springs National Park AR 71901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Arkansas’ Ouachita Mountains. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dr. Maya Angelou (here, next to this marker); Jack Hunt / Joe Hunt (here, next to this marker); Earlie Fires (here, next to this
this page online
Also see . . . Officer who arrested Oswald dies at 76.
(The Associated Press, Jan. 27, 2005) Excerpt: Nick McDonald arrived at Dealey Plaza moments after Kennedy was shot on Nov. 22, 1963. He searched the Texas Theater and helped make the historic arrest, grappling with the man suspected of shooting Kennedy after Oswald pulled a gun. But it was not until later in the day that McDonald realized whom he had captured. In a memoir, The Arrest and Capture of Lee Harvey Oswald, McDonald recalled going to the rear of the theater after police received a tip that a suspicious man had entered without paying. As I peeked through the heavy curtains out into the audience [fellow Officer Johnny Brewer], at my shoulder, pointed out the suspect, McDonald wrote. As the two officers confronted Oswald, the suspect(Submitted on January 24, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)said, Well, its all over now. As police tried to search and cuff him, Oswald pulled a pistol and tried to fire, but McDonald grabbed the weapon and moved to block the trigger with his hand. McDonald jerked the weapon from Oswald, fell on top of him and finally subdued him.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 20242. Nick McDonald MarkerLooking north from Spring Street; it is the rightmost of five markers in this photo. The Hot Springs City Visitor Center is in the left background.
Born March 21, 1928, in Camden, Arkansas, he graduated from Camden High School, McDonald served in the Navy and was a Korean War veteran. After leaving the military, McDonald served 25 years with the Dallas Police Department, retiring as a sergeant and moving to Hot Springs in 1980.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 145 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 24, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
