On this date (February 10) 1962, a wife lost a husband, his daughter lost a father, his father and mother lost a son, his three brothers and six sisters lost a brother, our nation lost a United States Marine Corp Veteran of the Korean War and Dallas lost a Police Officer.
Detective Leonard Clint Mullenax, Badge Number 926, age 29, was shot and killed while working an undercover assignment at the Sherman Hotel, 2501 ½ Elm Street at 1:20 a.m.
Detective Mullenax was assigned to the Special Services Bureau and was assigned to this location for the purpose of the investigation of pandering and liquor violations.
Detective Mullenax met a witness, Joe Henry, at another nearby hotel and expressed his desire to purchase alcohol. The witness informed him the manager of the Sherman Hotel was known to sell liquor outside legal purchase hours, so they both went to this location.
Just as they arrived at the hotel, a taxi pulled up and a woman exited and entered the stairway to the second story hotel just ahead of Detective Mullenax and Witness Henry.
As they entered the second floor, the hotel manager, Harry Rhyan approached at which time Detective Mullenax pushed the woman away and immediately Harry Rhyan began scuffling with Detective Mullenax.
At this time Witness Henry observed Harry Rhyan pull a small pistol from his pocket. Observing this he began down the stairway. He then heard numerous shots fired. Exiting onto Elm Street he was able to locate an open business nearby and called the police.
When responding Officers arrived they found Detective Mullenax had been shot three times, in the abdomen, groin and right arm. At this time Harry Rhyan admitted shooting Detective Mullenax and insisted he was not aware Detective Mullenax was a police officer and he thought he was being robbed.
Detective Mullenax was pronounced dead at the scene and Harry Rhyan was arrested. It was found during the scuffled Harry Rhyan also shot himself once in the right leg. A total of seven rounds were fired from his .25 caliber semi automatic pistol.
During the Grand Jury proceedings, Witness Henry testified Detective Mullenax never identified himself to either him or suspect Rhyan as a police officer. Suspect Rhyan was no billed shortly afterwards, was released from custody and departed Dallas that same day.
Detective Leonard Clint Mullenax an eight yer veteran of the Dallas Police Department is interred at Restland Memorial Park Cemetery, Dallas, Texas in the Field of Honor Section.