On November 22, 1963, Dallas police officer J.D. Tippett was shot and killed, just hours after President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. For decades, Tippett’s death has been shrouded in mystery and controversy. One intriguing detail that has emerged is the mention of a woman named “Sunshine” – a potential secret rendezvous that adds another layer of intrigue to this already complex case.
Who Was J.D. Tippett?
Before we dive into the mystery of “Sunshine,” let’s take a closer look at J.D. Tippett himself.
A Troubled Past
J.D. Tippett was a Dallas police officer with a complicated history. He served in World War II as a paratrooper and machine gunner, experiencing a near-death incident during training that left him with severe PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).
This trauma had a lasting impact on Tippett’s life and career:
- His police file noted “elements of psychosis” as a result of his PTSD
- He struggled to look people in the eye, a potentially dangerous flaw for a police officer
- Despite 11 years on the force, Tippett had never been promoted
Financial Troubles and Suspicious Activities
Tippett’s life wasn’t just marked by psychological struggles. He also faced financial difficulties and engaged in some questionable activities:
- He owned two homes despite a modest police salary of $463 a month
- Tippett worked security at a barbecue joint with connections to right-wing groups and the criminal underworld
- There were rumors of his involvement in narcotics, though this was never confirmed
The Mystery of “Sunshine”
Now, let’s explore the tantalizing mention of “Sunshine” and what it might mean for the Tippett case.
A Brief Mention
The name “Sunshine” appears in the context of Tippett’s activities on the day of his death. According to researcher Gavan McMahon, one of Tippett’s colleagues mentioned that he was “supposedly visiting a girl” in the area where he was killed. McMahon states, “I do have her name, but I haven’t put that out there.”
Why Is This Important?
The mention of “Sunshine” is significant for several reasons:
- It suggests Tippett may have had a reason to be in the area beyond his official duties
- It adds another potential motive or complication to the circumstances of his death
- It raises questions about Tippett’s personal life and potential vulnerabilities
Tippett’s Complicated Personal Life
The “Sunshine” mystery isn’t the only aspect of Tippett’s personal life that raises eyebrows.
The Affair with Johnny Maxey Witherspoon
Tippett was known to have had an extramarital affair with a woman named Johnny Maxey Witherspoon. This relationship adds another layer of complexity to Tippett’s story:
- Witherspoon became pregnant around the time of her relationship with Tippett
- She left flowers on Tippett’s grave with a touching inscription
- Witherspoon was evasive about her whereabouts at the time of Tippett’s death
Marie Tippett’s Suspicions
Even Tippett’s wife, Marie, seemed aware of her husband’s infidelities:
- She visited Austin’s barbecue after Tippett’s death, asking about a waitress
- Marie was trying to find out who left flowers on her husband’s grave
- At one point, she mistakenly thought Helen Markham (a key witness in the case) was having an affair with Tippett
The Bigger Picture: Conspiracy Theories
The mention of “Sunshine” and Tippett’s complicated personal life feed into larger conspiracy theories surrounding his death and the Kennedy assassination.
Was Tippett Part of a Larger Plot?
Some researchers believe Tippett may have been involved in a conspiracy related to Kennedy’s assassination:
- There are claims that Tippett and his partner, William Menzel, were assigned to hunt down Lee Harvey Oswald
- Some speculate that Tippett was meant to either arrest or kill Oswald
- Tippett’s presence in Oak Cliff, far from his usual patrol area, raises questions
The Jack Ruby Connection
Another intriguing aspect of the case is Tippett’s potential connection to Jack Ruby, the man who killed Lee Harvey Oswald:
- Tippett worked security at a barbecue joint with connections to Ruby’s associates
- Some witnesses at the scene of Tippett’s shooting had connections to Ruby
- There are theories that Ruby may have been involved in staging the scene of Tippett’s murder
The Importance of the Tippett Case
While often overshadowed by the Kennedy assassination, the Tippett case is crucial for several reasons:
- It’s seen as a “Rosetta Stone” that could help unlock other mysteries of November 22, 1963
- The case reveals potential corruption and conspiracy within the Dallas Police Department
- It highlights the complex web of relationships and motivations at play that day
As researcher Joseph McBride puts it, “When something is kind of hidden and not investigated properly, my antennae go up as a journalist.”
Unanswered Questions
Despite decades of research, many questions about Tippett’s death and the role of “Sunshine” remain unanswered:
- Who exactly was “Sunshine,” and what was her relationship to Tippett?
- Was Tippett’s presence in Oak Cliff related to an assignation, or was he there on official business?
- How does the “Sunshine” angle fit into larger conspiracy theories about November 22, 1963?
The Challenge of Cold Case Research
Investigating the Tippett case and the mystery of “Sunshine” is no easy task:
- Many witnesses and potential sources have passed away
- Official records are often incomplete or contradictory
- The passage of time makes it difficult to separate fact from fiction
As McBride notes, “This is a cold case going back more than 60 years. So Gavin and I and other people are digging into leads and witnesses that are, you know, a lot of the witnesses are gone.”
The Power of Family Secrets
One promising avenue for future research may lie with the families of those involved. As Gavan McMahon points out:
“Families are very tight. Families are very knowing. Families are very close. And they get told things. And a lot of the information that we’re able to glean when we look at it all now is coming back through the families who are being told the truth and being told don’t say anything, all that sort of stuff. And it’s slowly coming out years and years and years and years later.”
A Continuing Mystery
The story of J.D. Tippett and the mysterious “Sunshine” continues to captivate researchers and amateur sleuths alike. While we may never know the full truth about what happened on November 22, 1963, each new piece of information helps to paint a clearer picture of that fateful day.
As we continue to unravel the threads of this complex tapestry, we’re left with a reminder of the power of persistence in the face of obfuscation and the importance of questioning official narratives. The mystery of “Sunshine” may be just one small detail in a much larger story, but it serves as a testament to the enduring fascination with one of the most pivotal moments in American history.
