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Melvin Horace Purvis II (October 24, 1903 – February 29, 1960) was an American law enforcement official and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent. Given the nickname "Little Mel" because of his small boned 5′3″ (163 cm) frame, Purvis became noted for leading the manhunts that tracked such bank robbers as Baby Face Nelson, John Dillinger, and Pretty Boy Floyd, but his high public profile was resented by local law enforcement.
Purvis asserted he had killed Floyd single-handed, others variously claimed that Floyd had been already wounded, or even that Purvis had ordered Floyd summarily shot dead for refusing to provide information.
Purvis had the reputation of using very tough methods against recalcitrant interviewees. Roger Touhy, a minor-league gangster who was arrested as Purvis fought the huge Capone organisation during Prohibition, alleged he suffered the loss of 25 lbs of body weight and several teeth plus broken vertebrae due to being beaten every time he fell asleep during weeks of questioning by Purvis's men. Purvis became the FBI's star, having captured more of the designated public enemies than any other agent, but found himself sidelined after he began to enjoy better press than J. Edgar Hoover.[1][2]
Purvis asserted he had killed Floyd single-handed, others variously claimed that Floyd had been already wounded, or even that Purvis had ordered Floyd summarily shot dead for refusing to provide information.
Purvis had the reputation of using very tough methods against recalcitrant interviewees. Roger Touhy, a minor-league gangster who was arrested as Purvis fought the huge Capone organisation during Prohibition, alleged he suffered the loss of 25 lbs of body weight and several teeth plus broken vertebrae due to being beaten every time he fell asleep during weeks of questioning by Purvis's men. Purvis became the FBI's star, having captured more of the designated public enemies than any other agent, but found himself sidelined after he began to enjoy better press than J. Edgar Hoover.[1][2]
Melvin Purvis - Wikipedia
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Birthday
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To Tell the Truth - Melvin Purvis, the FBI agent who caught Dillinger (Sep 24, 1957)
PANEL: Polly Bergen, Ralph Bellamy, Kitty Carlisle, Hy Gardner CONTESTANT #1: Olga Gomez (Dance instructor) CONTESTANT #2: Thelma Krieger (World . I received...
Good evening my friend Maj Marty Hogan and thank you for making us aware that October 24 is the anniversary of the birth of WWII U.S. Army officer veteran, American law enforcement official and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent Melvin Horace Purvis II who "became noted for leading the manhunts that tracked such bank robbers as Baby Face Nelson, John Dillinger, and Pretty Boy Floyd, but his high public profile was resented by local law enforcement."
Sadly, he "killed himself on 29 February 1960, reportedly using the same pistol he had worn the night he and his men cornered Dillinger near the Biograph Theater in Chicago."
Rest in peace Melvin Horace Purvis II!
Background from nndb.com/people/217/000205599/
"Melvin Purvis AKA Melvin Horace Purvis, Jr.
Born: 26-Oct-1903 at Timmonsville, SC
Died: 29-Feb-1960 at Florence, SC
Cause of death: Suicide
Remains: Buried, Mt. Hope Cemetery, Florence, SC
Gender: Male
Religion: Anglican/Episcopalian
Race or Ethnicity: White
Occupation: Law Enforcement
Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Top G-man of the 1930s
Military service: US Army (Lt. Col., WWII)
According to contemporary news accounts, Melvin Purvis never fired his gun in the line of duty, though he was the FBI's top investigator during the gangland era of the 1930s, and led the manhunts that killed John Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd, and Baby Face Nelson. Adam Richetti and Vern Sankley were among the criminals who survived being captured by Purvis to face prosecution. When he left the Bureau after Dillinger's killing he was considered a national hero, having apprehended more public enemies than any other FBI agent. Some observers believe he was pressured to quit by FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, who disliked having the media's attention diverted from himself.
Before and after his eight years with the feds, Purvis worked as an attorney. He also served in the military during World War II and later owned WOLS (now WOLH), a radio station in Florence, South Carolina. He killed himself on 29 February 1960, reportedly using the same pistol he had worn the night he and his men cornered Dillinger near the Biograph Theater in Chicago. His son, Melvin Purvis III, ran and lost in South Carolina's 1984 Senate election against Strom Thurmond.
Father: Melvin Horace Purvis (tobacco farmer, b. 16-Sep-1869, d. 18-Jan-1938 pneumonia)
Mother: Janie Elizabeth Mims Purvis (b. 16-Aug-1874, m. 14-Mar-1894, d. 9-Aug-1927)
Sister: Nell Eulalia Purvis Davidson (b. 23-Feb-1895, d. 3-Nov-1979)
Girlfriend: Janice Jarratt (actress, b. 1914)
Wife: Marie Rosanne Willcox Purvis (childhood sweetheart, b. 31-Jan-1908, m. 22-Aug-1931)
Son: Melvin Horace Purvis III (Christian minister, b. 1940, d. 1986)
Son: Philip Alston Wilcox Purvis (graphic artist, b. Sep-1943)
Son: Christopher Peronneau Purvis (b. 2-Feb-1950, d. 1984)
Law School: University of South Carolina (1925)
FBI employee (1927-35)"
To Tell the Truth - Melvin Purvis, the FBI agent who caught Dillinger (Sep 24, 1957)
https://youtu.be/uiL7opDiYuY?t=980
FYI LTC Jeff ShearerSGT Philip Roncari Lt Col Jim CoeCWO3 Dennis M.SGT (Join to see)PO3 Bob McCordSGT Jim Arnold Sgt Albert Castro PO3 Phyllis Maynard Maj Robert Thornton Cynthia Croft PO1 H Gene Lawrence PVT Karl Goode CW5 John M. CMSgt (Join to see) PO2 Kevin Parker SGT James Murphy SrA John Monette
Sadly, he "killed himself on 29 February 1960, reportedly using the same pistol he had worn the night he and his men cornered Dillinger near the Biograph Theater in Chicago."
Rest in peace Melvin Horace Purvis II!
Background from nndb.com/people/217/000205599/
"Melvin Purvis AKA Melvin Horace Purvis, Jr.
Born: 26-Oct-1903 at Timmonsville, SC
Died: 29-Feb-1960 at Florence, SC
Cause of death: Suicide
Remains: Buried, Mt. Hope Cemetery, Florence, SC
Gender: Male
Religion: Anglican/Episcopalian
Race or Ethnicity: White
Occupation: Law Enforcement
Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Top G-man of the 1930s
Military service: US Army (Lt. Col., WWII)
According to contemporary news accounts, Melvin Purvis never fired his gun in the line of duty, though he was the FBI's top investigator during the gangland era of the 1930s, and led the manhunts that killed John Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd, and Baby Face Nelson. Adam Richetti and Vern Sankley were among the criminals who survived being captured by Purvis to face prosecution. When he left the Bureau after Dillinger's killing he was considered a national hero, having apprehended more public enemies than any other FBI agent. Some observers believe he was pressured to quit by FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, who disliked having the media's attention diverted from himself.
Before and after his eight years with the feds, Purvis worked as an attorney. He also served in the military during World War II and later owned WOLS (now WOLH), a radio station in Florence, South Carolina. He killed himself on 29 February 1960, reportedly using the same pistol he had worn the night he and his men cornered Dillinger near the Biograph Theater in Chicago. His son, Melvin Purvis III, ran and lost in South Carolina's 1984 Senate election against Strom Thurmond.
Father: Melvin Horace Purvis (tobacco farmer, b. 16-Sep-1869, d. 18-Jan-1938 pneumonia)
Mother: Janie Elizabeth Mims Purvis (b. 16-Aug-1874, m. 14-Mar-1894, d. 9-Aug-1927)
Sister: Nell Eulalia Purvis Davidson (b. 23-Feb-1895, d. 3-Nov-1979)
Girlfriend: Janice Jarratt (actress, b. 1914)
Wife: Marie Rosanne Willcox Purvis (childhood sweetheart, b. 31-Jan-1908, m. 22-Aug-1931)
Son: Melvin Horace Purvis III (Christian minister, b. 1940, d. 1986)
Son: Philip Alston Wilcox Purvis (graphic artist, b. Sep-1943)
Son: Christopher Peronneau Purvis (b. 2-Feb-1950, d. 1984)
Law School: University of South Carolina (1925)
FBI employee (1927-35)"
To Tell the Truth - Melvin Purvis, the FBI agent who caught Dillinger (Sep 24, 1957)
https://youtu.be/uiL7opDiYuY?t=980
FYI LTC Jeff ShearerSGT Philip Roncari Lt Col Jim CoeCWO3 Dennis M.SGT (Join to see)PO3 Bob McCordSGT Jim Arnold Sgt Albert Castro PO3 Phyllis Maynard Maj Robert Thornton Cynthia Croft PO1 H Gene Lawrence PVT Karl Goode CW5 John M. CMSgt (Join to see) PO2 Kevin Parker SGT James Murphy SrA John Monette
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Maj Marty Hogan Old school law enforcement type back then were dealing with some interesting people. Love their nicknames
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