Officer John Schlim Recount of Bobby Hutton Shooting in Oakland CA April 6,1968

This oral history captures the firsthand account of retired Oakland police officer John Schlim, who served during the 1960s civil rights era. Recorded by his grandson, Daniel Whitfield, the interview recounts the events of April 6, 1968, when Oakland police officers engaged in a shootout with members of the Black Panther Party. The gunfight ended in the arrest of Eldridge Cleaver and the death of 17-year-old Bobby Hutton. The account provides critical insight into law enforcement practices, social tensions, and the political climate surrounding the Black Panther Party during one of the most volatile periods in American history. The story includes reflections on the shooting of Officer John Fry, the public backlash, and the resulting push for stricter gun laws in California. This material serves as a valuable primary source for scholars, educators, and students studying civil rights, law enforcement, and radical political movements in the 20th century.