Melvin Purvis

Melvin Purvis (1903 - February 29, 1960) was a U.S. lawman and FBI agent.

Related Topics:
1903 - February 29 - 1960 - U.S. - FBI agent

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In 1934, this young FBI agent was named as one of the most admired men in the United States. Melvin Purvis joined the FBI in 1927 after a brief career as a lawyer. He served until 1935 and captured more public enemies than any other agent in FBI history, a record that still stands. Purvis led the manhunts that killed such outlaws as Baby Face Nelson and Pretty Boy Floyd.

Related Topics:
1934 - 1935 - Baby Face Nelson - Pretty Boy Floyd

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Purvis is best remembered, however, as leading the manhunt for John Dillinger. Outside the Biograph Theater in Chicago on a hot night in 1934, he called out to the famous outlaw "Stick 'em up, Johnny." Dillinger was shot dead by FBI agents when he went for his gun.

Related Topics:
John Dillinger - Biograph Theater

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Purvis was given great acclaim for his role in this and incurred the wrath of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, who had previously praised him. Many have said Hoover was jealous of the attention given to Purvis after Dillinger was killed.

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Purvis retired from the FBI shortly afterwards and practiced law. He also bought a radio station in Florence, South Carolina, and served in the Army in World War II as a Lieutenant Colonel. On February 29, 1960, Melvin Purvis killed himself in his Florence, South Carolina home. He shot himself with the same gun he carried the night Dillinger was killed. It should be noted that at the time of his death, Purvis was slowly and painfully dying of cancer.

Related Topics:
World War II - Cancer

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