Police say Buford Pusser — a Tennessee County sheriff-turned-American folk hero — shot and killed his wife and made up a story about being attacked by a group of men out to kill him.
The stunning turn of events undermines two popular movies and a legacy of justice.
- In 1973, a movie called Walking Tall was made about Pusser’s life.
- In 2004, a remake starring Dewayne “The Rock” Johnson was released.
- Pusser died in a one-vehicle crash in Aug. 1974.
The story Pusser told after his wife Pauline Pusser was killed in 1967 is the same one recreated in the movie. He says he brought his wife with him on a late night police call, when a vehicle pulled up alongside their vehicle and began firing.
Pauline was killed when bullets struck her in the head and Buford was shot in the face. He’d spend three weeks recovering. In the above photo he’s seen with scars from the shooting, seated in a car on the road where he said it all went down.
What Really Happened to Buford Pusser’s Wife?
In 2022, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) began to look more closely as this case and other cold cases. Director David Rausch — during a press conference to announce new findings — conceded that the case may have closed too quickly back then and relied too heavily on Buford Pusser’s statement.
During the Aug. 29 press meeting, TBI shared several findings:
- Blood spatter on the hood of Pusser’s vehicle contradicts the former sheriff’s statement that she was shot inside the car.
- Buford’s gunshot wound was likely self-inflicted at a close range, not long range.
More blood stains indicate that someone was injured while inside and outside of the car. - An autopsy of Pauline’s exhumed body revealed a broken nose had healed. This was “most commonly caused by interpersonal trauma.”
District Attorney Mark Davidson says if Bufford Pussser were alive today, they’d have sufficient evidence to request an indictment.
“The events did not occur as stated by Buford Pusser, and that Pauline Pusser was more likely than not shot outside the vehicle and then placed inside the vehicle,” he shared.
True Crime podcast Gone South explored Buford Pusser in depth in November 2024. Host Jed Lipinski notes that there was a tip about a possible murder weapon, something the TBI also alluded to.
The Truth About Walking Tall
The 1973 movie Walking Tall was a box office smash. In 2003, Buford Pusser (as played by Joe Don Baker) would be recognized as a great film hero by the American Film Institute. Two sequels were less profitable.
In 2004, The Rock played a character based on Pusser. During press appearances he would talk about being a big fan of the movie since age eight.
Johnny Knoxville and Neal McDonough (Yellowstone, Tulsa King) also star in the film. It was nowhere near as successful as the original, and two sequels were equally ignored.
Country Music’s Most Horrific Crimes
These 10 country stars were locked up for committing awful crimes. Some turned their life around while others (like No. 9) never seemed to have learned their lesson.
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
Celebrity Mug Shots, the Best and the Worst
Even celebrities can find themselves in hot water with the law, and when that happens, the mug shots can be quite eye opening. Here are some of the best, and the worst.
Gallery Credit: Wood
