Buford Pusser Walked Tall

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When I was a teenager “vigilante” movies were becoming popular, thanks to things like Billy Jack and Dirty Harry. Actually, I don’t think “vigilante” is accurate; rather, “good guy gives the bad guys what they deserve.” A real-life hero came to the screen in that era: former McNairy County sheriff Buford H. Pusser, the central figure in the trilogy of Walking Tall films. His home is now a museum, celebrating his life, legacy, the films, and law enforcement in general. If you don’t know his story (sorry, Lori, this isn’t about the one with your fake hubby The Rock in it), Pusser was a former Marine (given a medical discharge) and pro wrestler (Buford the Bull) Who ser out on a crusade to eliminate the influence and crime the “State Line Mob” poured into his county. You know how nobody wanted the job of sheriff of Rock Ridge in Blazing Saddles? Same thing here. The “State Line Mob” was powerful, allegedly killing the sheriff prior to Pusser. But Pusser won and kept his campaign promise. Armed with a stick (which became a trademark of sorts, especially after the first movie, despite the fact that he just grabbed one because it was handy. NOT that he carried it), Pusser took to the State Line Mob, closing down their gambling houses, prostitution houses, and moonshine stills. That’ll make you enemies. Pusser was attacked a number of times, including an ambush that killed his wife and left him so badly wounded he required 16 reconstruction surgeries on his jaw (there are pictures in the museum of his face after the ambush...or what was left of it). When the tour guide said that the original house on the property had burned in 1971 I had to ask if the fire was suspicious (no, it was an electrical short in the dryer). Pusser became a household name thanks to the 1973 biopic Walking Tall, starring Joe Don Baker. It became a cult classic and a sequel was in the works, this time with Pusser to play himself. On August 21, 1974 Pusser was returning to Adamsville from signing the movie contract in Memphis. About five miles from his house his brand new Corvette (which cost about $7,500 then) crashed into an embankment. Pusser was thrown from the fiery wreck and died at the scene of a broken neck. All of this, and more, is detailed in the Buford Pusser Museum at Pusser’s residence (on Pusser Street in Adamsville). A PS: I was thinking about what John said about how gaudy and 70s-ish Graceland looked. The Pusser house is somewhat similar, just not gaudy. It is frozen in time, 45 years ago, as well. (And in the six degrees of Elvis game, Elvis came to the home to console the family after Pusser’s death, opting to not attend the funeral because it would cause a stir.) Admission is $10, with discounts for seniors, military, and law enforcement. I found it worth my time. If you liked the original movie, you might, too.