Buford Pusser, the famed sheriff of McNairy County, Tennessee, was known for his campaign against moonshining and other criminal activities. He survived several assassination attempts but tragically died in a car crash on August 21, 1974.
Buford Pusser rose to fame in the 1960s for his high-profile efforts to clean up crime in his county, which were dramatized in the “Walking Tall” series of movies. Pusser was a controversial figure, admired by many for his tough stance on crime, but also criticized for his alleged use of excessive force. His life was marked by personal tragedy, including the murder of his wife, Pauline, in an ambush that also targeted him.
On the night of his death, Pusser was driving his Corvette home on Highway 64 when he lost control of the vehicle. The car crashed into an embankment and Pusser was ejected from the vehicle, dying from his injuries. The exact cause of the accident has been the subject of speculation, with some suggesting foul play, though no evidence has ever been found to support this theory. Pusser’s legacy lives on as a symbol of law enforcement’s fight against crime, and his life story continues to be a subject of interest and inspiration.
