Gone South: S4|E7 – The Real Buford Pusser | Part 1

Introduction

In the seventh episode of the fourth season of Gone South, hosted by Jed Lipinski, the legendary Tennessee sheriff Buford Pusser's life and the mysterious murder of his wife, Pauline Pusser, are revisited. This episode delves deep into the unresolved ambush that claimed Pauline's life over five decades ago and explores new developments that threaten to reshape Buford Pusser's storied legacy.

Reopening a Cold Case

The episode kicks off with a revelation that nearly 60 years after Pauline Pusser was fatally shot, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is exhuming her body for a deeper investigation into her death.

• Jed Lipinski [00:38]: "Earlier this year, a listener sent us a link to an article in the Tennessean newspaper. The article was about the decision to exhume the body of a woman named Pauline Pusser."

Pauline, the wife of Buford Pusser, was killed in an ambush in August 1967, a crime that remains unsolved. The TBI's decision to exhume her body stems from new information that challenges the original investigation's completeness, notably the absence of an autopsy.

Buford Pusser: Hero or Villain?

Buford Pusser's legacy as a fearless sheriff has been immortalized in books and films, most notably the original Walking Tall (1973) starring Joe Don Baker and its 2004 remake featuring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Jed Lipinski highlights how Pusser's larger-than-life persona has blurred the lines between fact and fiction.

• Jed Lipinski [02:23]: "As Kirksey put it, Buford was a criminal himself... He was a dirty cop and a killer cop."

Kirksey Nix, alleged leader of the Dixie Mafia, was publicly blamed by Buford for orchestrating the ambush that killed Pauline. Despite Buford's accusations, Nix consistently denied involvement, and Buford's attempt to identify him in an Oklahoma prison failed.

• Steve Sweat [02:35]: "I have the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation reports where they brought him out to Oklahoma and he couldn't pick me out."

The Ambush: A Detailed Account

On the morning of August 12, 1967, Buford and Pauline responded to a disturbance call at Hollis Jordan's Beer Hall. As they navigated down New Hope Road, a black Cadillac opened fire, resulting in Pauline's immediate death and Buford sustaining severe injuries.

• Jed Lipinski [12:58]: "The shots shattered the driver's side window, missing Buford but striking Pauline in the head."

Buford's frantic drive to the hospital, despite his injuries, underscores his dedication as a sheriff. However, the lack of an autopsy on Pauline raises significant questions about the original investigation.

Local Historian Steve Sweat’s Perspective

Steve Sweat, a McNary County resident and unofficial historian of Buford Pusser, provides personal anecdotes and insights into Buford's character and the tumultuous atmosphere of McNary County during his tenure.

• Steve Sweat [07:32]: "I tell people there's nobody on the face of earth that has studied this story and been as involved in it as I have, you know, for 60 years."

Sweat recounts Buford's fearless actions against corruption, drawing parallels between Buford and fictional lawmen like Matt Dillon from Gunsmoke.

• Steve Sweat [08:54]: "Buford, he was just like Matt Dillon... the situation was under control."

Buford Pusser’s Untimely Death

In 1974, Buford Pusser died in a tragic car accident at the age of 36. While officially attributed to speeding, the circumstances surrounding his death have fueled speculation and conspiracy theories, further complicating his legacy.

• Steve Sweat [16:11]: "No, there was no foul play. It was just mainly speed... that's pretty well what happened."

The Rock’s Connection to Buford Pusser

The episode explores how Buford Pusser's legend influenced modern culture, notably through the involvement of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The Rock's portrayal of Buford in the 2004 remake of Walking Tall serves as a bridge between the past and present, highlighting the enduring impact of Buford's story.

• Steve Sweat [19:47]: "He said... all the times I had opportunity to take the wrong path... I would think of those Walking Tall movies. And I wanted to walk tall."

Mike Elam’s Investigation: Raising New Doubts

Mike Elam, a former sheriff's deputy, becomes a pivotal figure in challenging Buford's narrative. Skeptical of Buford's account of the ambush, Elam conducts a reenactment that reveals inconsistencies in the original story.

• Mike Elam [23:20]: "They were still over 200 yards behind me by the time I reached the ambush point. And that just convinced me that there was no way it happened."

Elam’s investigation uncovers two critical issues:

1. Blood Spatter Analysis: Contrary to Buford's claim that both he and Pauline were inside the car during the shooting, blood was found scattered both inside and outside the vehicle, suggesting the shooters were on the ground rather than inside the car.

   • Mike Elam [25:15]: "All of the blood spatter on the outside of the car leads you to believe that someone was actually standing in front of that car when they were shot, not on the inside."

2. Shell Casing Placement: The location of the shell casings on the road's shoulder, away from the middle of the road and Buford's car, contradicts the idea that the assailants were in the chasing Cadillac.

   • Mike Elam [26:18]: "He said that he was sitting in the car... You would expect the shell casings to have been found in between the cars... But the shell casings weren't in the middle of the road or inside Buford's Plymouth."

Furthermore, the absence of an autopsy on Pauline Pusser is a significant anomaly, raising suspicions about potential tampering or ulterior motives behind the original investigation.

• Mike Elam [27:12]: "I learned that one was never performed."

Conclusion and Tease for Part 2

The episode concludes by highlighting the mounting evidence that challenges Buford Pusser's portrayal as an unwavering hero. With Mike Elam's relentless pursuit of the truth, the TBI's exhumation of Pauline's body is poised to uncover startling revelations. As tensions rise and Buford's legacy teeters on the brink of reinvention, listeners are left eagerly anticipating the next installment of this gripping investigation.

• Jed Lipinski [28:48]: "Along the way, he would uncover details no one knew about one of the South's most famous unsolved murders. Details that suggested the prime suspect in Pauline's death was her husband, Buford Pusser. That's next time on Gone South."

Notable Quotes

• Steve Sweat [07:32]: "Then, you know, people got to call me the Pusser Historian. And of course, that's how I've been described in the newspapers for probably 20 years."

• Mike Elam [23:20]: "They were still over 200 yards behind me by the time I reached the ambush point."

• Mike Elam [25:15]: "All of the blood spatter on the outside of the car leads you to believe that someone was actually standing in front of that car when they were shot, not on the inside."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Gone South masterfully intertwines historical accounts, personal testimonies, and investigative journalism to peel back the layers of Buford Pusser's enigmatic legacy. By questioning established narratives and presenting compelling new evidence, Jed Lipinski sets the stage for a transformative exploration of one of Tennessee's most enduring mysteries.