NYT Umbrella Man Exposed

[Greg Burnham]

While the motorcade looked like it had an escort, the actions indicated the lack of one, as stated by Mr Burnham. Certainly an area that could have been somewhat more useful in preventing a murder, whereas the actions of TUM and DCM seemed to assist the shooter(s) in hitting the target. But yes, Mr Burnham makes a very valid point, as usual.
:bike:

By virtue of their position, the DPD motor detail appears to be protecting the Secret Service agents in the Queen Mary rather than the client. If the lead--passenger-side--motor officer (whose name escapes me at the moment) had not been riding behind the president's vehicle, but would have rather taken up a position adjacent to it or slightly front of center-line, it would have been very easy for him to deter DCM. Indeed, a primary function of the lead motor units during a motorcade is to prevent bystanders from potentially obstructing the client's path. The officers should have been preceding the client vehicle thus clearing the way. In Dallas they were improperly positioned and were 2 units short of a full detail (4 instead of 6).