The JFK, Lincoln and Garfield Assassinations

Here are some interesting facts I learned about both assaassinations from the book In The President's Secret Service (2009) by Ronald Kessler. 

First Abe Lincoln's assassination: Patrolman John F. Parker of the Washington police was on duty guarding President Lincoln while he was watching the play. Instead of remaining on guard outside the president's box, Parker wandered off to watch the play, then went to a nearby saloon for a drink. That was smart. Can you say derelict of duty? 

The assassination of President James A. Garfield: Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone, tried to find the bullet in the president's back with an induction-balance electrical device he had invented. While the device worked in tests, it failed to find the bullet. Sounds like Bell could have been the first crime scene investigator of America. 

Finally, JFK's assassination: Kennedy was warned about possible violence in Dallas by then the UN ambassador and a senator. It was the president's choice to ride in an open convertible. JFK told secret service agents he did not want them to ride on the small running boards at the rear of the car. If they had rid on the running boards that day they could have protected him from the fatal shot.