Tour the memorabilia of Sheriff Buford Pusser in McNairy County
MCNAIRY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Sheriff Buford Pusser's fame reached beyond McNairy County in the 1960s and 70s. In fact, he ran in the same circles as Elvis, Billy Graham and big politicians at the time.
Want to know more about Pusser? Well, Steve Sweat is your man.
'This is one of Buford's guns,' said Sweat, as he showed News 2 the Pusser memorabilia he has accumulated over the decades.
Who was legendary lawman Buford Pusser?
Lawmakers recently designated Sweat the honorary state historian of Sheriff Pusser. His home is practically a museum of the late sheriff's belongings, including the burned up license plate from Pusser's car crash that resulted in his death.
'When this tag became available, I told my wife, Sherry, 'I want that tag.' Because that was the last time I'd seen Buford. That was Friday night. And his tag was burned and he died Tuesday night,' said Sweat, recalling the day back in 1974 when Pusser died.
Sweat is also a big fan of the sheriff, who was famous for carrying a big stick and cleaning up bootlegging, prostitution and gambling.
'I think his story is more powerful today than it's been since the beginning,' expressed Sweat.
Sweat even owns a replica of the Dodge Polara that Pusser drives in the 1973 'Walking Tall' film.
'This is a recreation of the first 'Walking Tall' movie car that Joe Don Baker was in,' said Sweat, leaning against his replica car parked outside his home.
'I don't drive it as much as I used to, but I've driven it in different states even to different functions, but it's pretty cool,' he added.
'Walking Tall' star Joe Don Baker dies at 89
McNairy County has an actual museum, where Pusser's old home was located, and the curator gave News 2 a tour.
'This house looks like he just left it this morning,' said Tina Mullis-Jarrell.
Mullis-Jarrell is the curator at the Buford Pusser Museum. At least 177,000 people have toured the museum since it first opened 37 years ago.
Mullis-Jarrell was quick to clear up any myths, including that Pusser carried a big stick to fend off criminals. Pusser fans might be disappointed to find out Hollywood exaggerated that a bit.
'You'll see several sticks, but he didn't walk around all the time with a stick like they showed in the movie,' she explained.
However, it is true that he was as physically large as the movies portray. The curator said extra long bedding was even marketed in his name. He was 6-foot-6 inches tall, 250 pounds and wore a size 15 shoe.
Pusser wasn't just large in stature, he also created a larger than life persona. Some credit his former career as a pro-wrestler for teaching him how to market himself as sheriff. Whatever the secret, it worked. Pusser's reputation made him a household name and allowed him to rub shoulders with the rich and famous.
'Supposedly Elvis slept in this room… We were told that Elvis and Buford were friends and Graceland said the same thing,' added Mullis-Jarrell.
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According to the museum, during a gathering for the state Republican party at Johnny Cash's home, leaders tried convincing Pusser to run for governor of Tennessee. However, Pusser remained in law enforcement, serving three consecutive terms —the max at the time —before his tragic death in 1974.
'He had been in Memphis, came home, mowed the yard, got in his corvette, went to the fair, and died that night,' said Mullis Jarrell. Investigators reported the deadly crash was an accident.
Immediately before his death, Pusser had announced that Hollywood was creating a second 'Walking Tall' film after the success of the first. But in the sequel, Pusser was going to try out his acting chops and play himself. Tragically, that never happened.
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