Buford Pusser

Buford Pusser was elected sheriff of McNairy County, Tennessee, on a platform of cleaning up the county, which was regarded as the most corrupt, crime-ridden county in the state, if not the U.S. by some local citizens. According to locals, several organized-crime rings, based mainly in Nashville, ran the criminal enterprises in McNairy County, including gambling, prostitution, bootlegging, narcotics, auto theft, etc.Pusser was a former amateur wrestler while living in Chicago, who locals perceived as tough as nails and incorruptible, which was a major departure from the image some prior local officials had.Hollywood movies showed that Pusser carried a gigantic wooden club, several feet long which was a complete fabrication. Although there were never any witnesses, Pusser claimed there were several attempts to carry out a contract on his life. The most serious incident occurred when the car he and his wife was riding in was ambushed; his wife was killed and he was shot in the chin re... [Details Intro]