Buford Pusser…..Law Career
Buford moved to Chicago in the late summer of 1957, but later felt drawn back to the slower pace of McNairy County. In 1961, he returned to Adamsville with his family. His father Carl had been Adamsville’s police chief and encouraged Buford to apply for the role.
After a vote from the city board, Buford became police chief and began his law-enforcement career.
- 1962: appointed Adamsville Police Chief.
- 1964: elected Sheriff of McNairy County.
- Shot eight times.
- Knifed seven times.
- Fought off six men at once, sending three to jail and three to the hospital.
- Destroyed 87 whiskey stills in 1965 alone.
- Killed two people in self-defense.
- Served three consecutive terms as Sheriff of McNairy County, leaving office September 1, 1970 due to Tennessee term limitations.