He wrestled and defeated a live grizzly bear. He led a violent but successful campaign against moonshiners, gamblers, prostitutes, and organized crime figures. His unusual methods of law enforcement earned him notoriety, made him a local legend, and created dangerous enemies.
This restored post summarizes the man who became the target of several assassination attempts, whose wife Pauline was killed, and whose story later became the subject of several Walking Tall films.
- Born: December 12, 1937 in the community of Finger in McNairy County, Tennessee.
- Family: Parents Carl and Helen Pusser; brother John Howard Pusser; sister Gaylia Pusser Davis; daughter Dwana.
- Graduated: Adamsville High School in 1956.
- Enlisted in the Marine Corps but was discharged because of asthma.
- Attended mortician school in Chicago.
- Wrestled professionally as a hobby.
- Married Pauline Vance in 1959.