James Dougherty (police officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Dougherty
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Dougherty with then wife Marilyn Monroe c. 1943-44
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| Born | April 12, 1921 Torrance, California, U.S.
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| Died | August 15, 2005 (aged 84) San Rafael, California, U.S.
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| Occupation | Officer in the Los Angeles Police Department |
| Years active | 1949–1974 |
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Notable work
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| Children | 3 |
James Dougherty (born April 12, 1921 – died August 15, 2005) was an American police officer. He is famous for being the first person to train the Special Weapons and Tactics team. He was also the first husband of the well-known actress Marilyn Monroe.
Contents
About James Dougherty
Early Life and Education
James Edward Dougherty was born in Texas on April 12, 1921. He was the youngest of five children. His parents, Edward and Ethel Dougherty, were from Pueblo, Colorado. When James was young, his family moved to Globe, Arizona. They faced hard times during the Great Depression, even living in a tent for a while.
James graduated from Van Nuys High School in 1938. A famous actress named Jane Russell was in the same graduating class as him. After high school, James decided not to go to the University of California at Santa Barbara, even though he had a sports scholarship. Instead, he took a night job at Lockheed Aircraft.
Marriage to Norma Jeane Baker
While working at Lockheed, James met a young woman named Norma Jeane Baker. She would later become the famous actress Marilyn Monroe. Norma Jeane's foster parents were moving away. To prevent her from returning to an orphanage, James and Norma Jeane got married on June 19, 1942. After they married, Norma Jeane left high school and became a housewife.
They moved to Santa Catalina Island. There, James joined the Merchant Navy. He taught people about sea safety.
Norma Jeane's Career Begins
In April 1944, James was sent to the South Pacific for his Merchant Navy duties. Norma Jeane moved back to Van Nuys. While she was there, a photographer named David Conover noticed her. She soon signed a contract with a modeling agency called Blue Book Model. Later, she signed with 20th Century Fox, a big movie studio. The studio told her she needed to be unmarried to work for them.
Because of this, Norma Jeane divorced James in 1946. He received the divorce papers while he was on the Yangtze. At first, he didn't think much of her acting dreams. However, he later followed her career as the actress Marilyn Monroe. After she passed away, he appeared on the TV show To Tell The Truth and gave many interviews about their time together.
Life as a Police Officer
In 1947, James Dougherty married his second wife, Patricia Scoman. They had three daughters together. In 1949, he joined the Los Angeles Police Department. He worked as a detective.
James played an important role in creating the Special Weapons and Tactics group. He became the very first officer to train this special police unit. He also helped stop a plan to kidnap the actor James Garner.
Later Life and Writings
James Dougherty married his third wife, Rita Lambert, in 1974. They moved to Rita's hometown of Sabattus, Maine. In Maine, James taught at the Criminal Justice Academy. He also worked as a commissioner for Androscoggin County. He was involved with the Maine Boxing Commission too.
He appeared in a documentary called The Discovery Of Marilyn Monroe. In this film, he was alongside actor Robert Mitchum and his high school friend Jane Russell. James and Jane Russell also appeared on the talk show Sally in 1992.
James Dougherty wrote two books about his life and his marriage to Norma Jeane. These books were titled The Secret Happiness of Marilyn Monroe and To Norma Jeane With Love, Jimmie.
In 2003, James's wife, Rita, passed away. A documentary about James, called Marilyn's Man, was filmed in 2004. James Dougherty died on August 15, 2005. His death was reported in major newspapers like the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times.
See also
In Spanish: James Dougherty para niños
