Encore | Witness to History: Sirhan Sirhan and the Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, Part 1

Precinct 444: The National Law Enforcement Museum Podcast

The Encore series of the Precinct 444 Podcast is an engaging look back at past Museum programs to find insight into historical and contemporary matters facing law enforcement.

In this episode, we revisit the 2012 Witness to History program about the Robert F. Kennedy assassination, which featured three key figures, including the arresting officer of Sirhan Sirhan, Arturo Placencia. Each speaker brought a unique perspective to the issue, now more than 50 years later.

On the night of June 5, 1968, then-presidential candidate Robert Kennedy was making his way through the crowded Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on his way to the ballroom to declare victory in the California Democratic primary. But before he could, he was assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan.

Officer Placencia’s vivid description of the emotions and confusion following the shooting that injured five people in addition to Kennedy brought those chaotic moments alive for the audience. “I was a 21-year-old rookie cop, only three weeks out of the academy when we got the call,” Placencia said.
Part 1 of this Encore series begins with remarks from author Evan Thomas, author of "Robert Kennedy: His Life," and Arturo Placencia, arresting officer of Sirhan SIrhan.
Part 2 will conclude the series with comments from Steven Hughes regarding protocols of the United States Secret Service and how they've changed since June 5, 1968 to today, and closing remarks from former NLEOMF CEO, Craig Floyd.
This program was sponsored by Target© and recorded by C-SPAN.
Featuring:

• Craig Floyd, Former CEO, NLEOMF
• Arturo Placencia, LAPD (Ret.), arresting officer of Sirhan Sirhan
• Evan Thomas, author of “Robert Kennedy: His Life”
• Steven Hughes, United States Secret Service Special Agent in charge of Dignitary Protective Service

https://nleomf.org/museum/precinct-444/