We’ve likely all had moments where we were the victim of another’s actions and we wish we could take revenge, but (hopefully) we just keep it as a thought.
Despite the fact that few of us can relate to Budford Pusser's tragic fate, the strange story of his life is nevertheless worth reading. Rumors have circulated that he sought revenge, although this has never been substantiated.
In August of 1967, Buford Pusser's life trajectory was forever altered
Sheriff Pusser's life was forever altered when he got a phone call in the wee hours of August 12, 1967, informing him of an incident along the roadside near his hometown of McNairy County, Tennessee. Pauline, his spouse, accompanied him.
Not long after they drove past Hope Methodist Church, a peculiar car drew up next to them and began shooting. Buford was wounded in the jaw but survived. Tragically, his wife Pauline was not so lucky. Sheriff Buford vowed retribution and justice.
Buford and Pauline tie the knot, beginning their life together
Buford Pusser had a peaceful life before the devastating loss of his wife. He was born in Finger, McNairy County, Tennessee in 1937, to Helen and Carl Pusser, and he was a confident individual prior to the tragedy.
In high school, Buford was a part of the basketball and football teams, but was discharged from the marines due to asthma. In 1957, he relocated to Chicago, becoming a wrestler known as Buford the Bull. Two years later, he tied the knot with Pauline.
McNairy County has a new Sheriff; Sheriff Brown, an outsider to the area
In 1962, Buford Pusser returned to his native Tennessee and followed in his father's footsteps, becoming police chief until 1964. Then, after Sheriff James Dickey's untimely death in a car accident, Buford claimed his place as the youngest Sheriff of McNairy County ever in Tennessee's history.
Buford faced a difficult task; during that time the city was exposed to criminal behavior, usually associated with the Dixie Mafia or the State Line Mob. He set out to eradicate these particular groups.
Sheriff Pusser and his fight against the Dixie Mafia and State Line Mob
The mission of Buford Pusser, to rid McNairy County of mob gangs, was met with opposition from criminal groups and their associates. During his time as Sheriff, he survived multiple assassination attempts, including one in 1966 at a gas station, where Louise Hathcock pulled a .38 pistol on him.
Miraculously, Pusser emerged unscathed, yet Louise Hathcock was killed in the scuffle. Buford had another altercation in January 1967, this time with an unknown assailant. He was struck by three bullets, but luckily was able to recover.
Revenge Becomes the Name of Pusser’s Game
That fateful night when Buford's wife was slain utterly altered the course of his life. He had been noticed by the criminal gangs in his area and had already experienced some gunshot wounds in confrontations with key players.
That night of tragedy, Pusser's car was attacked and the aggression was evidently intended for him. Unfortunately, his wife was the one to endure the tragic consequence. Budford specified that the failed assassination was the work of Kirksey McCord Nix Jr.
No individual was held accountable for the death of Buford's wife
Budford's rage at the injustice done to his wife left many believing he had taken matters into his own hands. Carl White, a Dixie mafia hitman, was shot dead, leading people to speculate that Pusser had hired the killer, although it was never proven.
Years later, two more of the murderers were located having been shot in Texas. It was rumored that Pusser was the one who killed them though there was no conviction.
A much-loved local luminary, Pusser, has concluded a movie deal
After Buford Pusser's tenure as Sheriff of McNairy County was up in 1970, he was ineligible for reelection due to local term limits, but in 1972 he had already secured a movie deal for a semi-biographical film titled Walking Tall.
Buford's attempt at being Sheriff was unsuccessful due to the unfavorable critique his movie Walking Tall received. Nevertheless, he gained the majority of votes to become the constable of Adamsville, which was due to the voters placing his name on the ballot.
Pusser Dies in His Car 7 Years After His Wife
In 1974, after having declared his intention to star in an upcoming movie at a press conference in Memphis, Buford started his journey home. During his trip back, he stopped at a County livestock show and fair, where he was able to meet with relatives and friends and sign a few autographs.
On the way home from the local fair, Buford Pusser's car experienced an unfortunate event. His vehicle took a sharp turn off the road and crashed into a tree, catching fire and flinging him out, resulting in instant death.
Rumors Surrounding Pusser’s Death Pointed to Sabotage
Speculation ran rampant that the incident was a result of foul play, and before long Buford had inked a deal with Bing Crosby Productions to star in the Walking Tall sequel. Unbeknownst to many, he was in a customized Corvette at the time of the accident.
Speculation swirled around Buford Pusser, alleging that the car had been sabotaged, with the steering components and tie rod being the main targets.