Sheriff, whose life served as a basis for numerous films, accused of killing his wife over 50 years after the incident, as per officials' claims

In a surprising turn of events, the death of Pauline Pusser, the wife of former McNairy County sheriff Buford Pusser, is being reexamined after new details came to light in 2023.

Pauline Pusser, a "people person" according to her younger brother Griffon Mullins, was reportedly shot and killed on Aug. 12, 1967, in an ambush meant for her husband, who was the McNairy County sheriff at the time. The incident occurred on a rural McNairy County road near the Tennessee-Mississippi state line, with Pauline in a vehicle driven by the sheriff.

After additional investigation, authorities discovered significant inconsistencies in Buford Pusser's story of what happened on that fateful day. They also learned more about Buford Pusser's relationship with his wife through recent statements made by people who knew them.

The evidence from the crime scene suggests that the shooting did not occur inside the vehicle, contrary to Buford Pusser's original claim. Furthermore, a nasal injury found in Pauline Pusser's autopsy was not related to the shooting incident.

These new findings have led the 25th Judicial District Attorney General, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), and the University of Tennessee at Martin to hold a press conference in 2023 to discuss the developments in Pauline Pusser's death. The District Attorney General's Office would have presented an indictment to Buford Pusser for the murder of his wife if he were alive today.

Mullins, who found closure from the recent investigation, expressed gratitude for knowing the truth about his sister's death. He also shared that their other sister died without knowing what happened to Pauline Pusser. Mullins knew there were troubles in his sister's marriage, but he was not "totally shocked" by the new implications.

Despite the attention brought to Pauline Pusser's death because of the films, her case remained cold for almost six decades. The case gained prominence with the release of the Hollywood film "Walking Tall" in 1974, which was inspired by Pauline Pusser's death.

In 2024, with the permission of her family, Pauline Pusser's body was exhumed. The TBI plans to make the entire investigation file public by handing it over to the University of Tennessee at Martin once it finishes with redactions. TBI officials are continuing to investigate Pauline Pusser's murder to restore justice and bring closure to her family.

Buford Pusser, who died seven years after the death of his wife in a car accident, would have faced charges for the murder of his wife if he were still alive today. The reexamination of Pauline Pusser's death serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking justice and truth, even in cases that have remained unsolved for decades.

Sheriff, whose life served as a basis for numerous films, accused of killing his wife over 50 years after the incident, as per officials' claims