Who is Buford Pusser? Sheriff behind ‘Walking Tall’ now linked to wife’s murder
Late Sheriff Buford Pusser
Buford Pusser was a legendary lawman from Tennessee whose life inspired the 1973 Hollywood film Walking Tall. Born in 1937, Pusser rose to fame as sheriff of McNairy County during the 1960s, where he became known for his fearless crusade against organized crime, moonshining, and gambling. His reputation as a no-nonsense sheriff turned him into a folk hero across America, cementing his status as one of the most famous sheriffs in U.S. history.
The 1967 Shooting of Pauline Pusser
On August 12, 1967, Buford Pusser and his wife Pauline were ambushed while driving near their home. The incident was initially described as a mob-related assassination attempt, with Pusser claiming he was the target of organized crime figures. Pauline was shot and killed, while Pusser survived with severe facial injuries. For decades, the official story painted Pusser as a victim of violent retaliation from criminals he had pursued.
New Investigation Points to Buford Pusser
Nearly six decades later, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has reopened the case. According to reports released in August 2025 by the New York Post, forensic evidence and witness testimony now suggest that Pusser himself may have been responsible for Pauline’s death. Investigators revealed that ballistics do not match the original claims and that inconsistencies in Pusser’s account have raised serious doubts. TBI spokesperson Leslie Earhart confirmed that newly uncovered files indicate “the ambush story was fabricated to conceal domestic violence.” This revelation has shaken the legacy of a man long regarded as a symbol of justice and courage.
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Hollywood Myth vs. Troubling Reality
The story of Buford Pusser was immortalized in *Walking Tall* and its sequels, which portrayed him as a fearless sheriff taking on corruption. However, the latest findings challenge that heroic narrative. Instead of a lawman under attack from organized crime, investigators now describe Pusser as a troubled figure who may have killed his wife and staged the shooting to protect his image. For decades, fans of the movie and residents of Tennessee revered Pusser as a larger-than-life hero. The town of Adamsville even preserved his legacy through the Buford Pusser Home & Museum. With this new evidence, the museum and the community must now confront a drastically different version of history.
Impact on Buford Pusser’s Legacy
The revelation that Buford Pusser may have murdered Pauline adds a dark twist to a once-heroic tale. It also raises broader questions about how American culture makes a myth of law enforcement figures. While some still defend his reputation, others argue that truth must prevail, even if it dismantles a long-held legend. As Tennessee officials continue reviewing archival evidence, the story of Buford Pusser is shifting from that of a heroic sheriff to a cautionary tale of mythmaking, violence, and tragedy. Whether remembered as a folk hero or as a man who killed his wife, Pusser’s name will forever remain one of the most controversial in American true crime history.
