The case file in the investigation into the death of Pauline Mullins Pusser – the wife of the late sheriff Buford Pusser of McNairy County – were made public Friday, Oct. 10, through the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Pauline Pusser died Aug. 12, 1967, while riding with her husband. According to officials, Buford Pusser told investigators that his wife wanted to go with him on a domestic dispute call and his car was ambushed by men who shot into the car, killing his wife and injuring him.
That account was the basis of a number of “Walking Tall” movies.
District Attorney General Mark Davidson of Tennessee’s 25th Judicial District held a news conference Aug. 29 with members of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) at the UT Martin Somerville Regional Center to announce court filings that would make the Pauline Pusser case file public.
Officials added that due to new evidence, forensic testing and expert analysis, were Buford Pusser alive today, an indictment would have been presented to the McNairy County grand jury for its consideration against Buford Pusser for the murder of his wife.
Some of the new evidence came from an autopsy performed in February 2024. An autopsy was not performed immediately following Pauline Pusser’s death.
UTM Chancellor Yancy Freeman Sr. spoke at the media conference.
“We are honored to assume the stewardship of the historical case files regarding Pauline Mullins Pusser, a process we approach with care to ensure with transparency for the public and the perseverance of these important records for generations to come,” he said.
“At UTM, we see this as more than a transfer of documents. It is a powerful teaching and research opportunity. … These files provide our students with an invaluable real-case study.”
The file is currently in process as part of the UT Martin digital archive initiative. This ensures the public will ultimately have high-quality, searchable online access to the records. Because this is a careful and ongoing process, online availability will take time to develop.
Those wanting to gain access to the case file should visit www.utm.edu/selmer to schedule an appointment to view the printed case file at the UTM McNairy County Center/Selmer at 1269 Tennessee Ave. in Selmer and to request a printed reproduction copy.
Through its six regional centers — including the UT Martin McNairy County Center/Selmer — the University of Tennessee at Martin offers a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice and an online Master of Science degree in criminal justice.
The newly-acquired case file will enrich learning opportunities for students and foster interdisciplinary research across fields such as communication, history, political science, sociology, and more.
For more information about degree programs, internships or outreach opportunities, email outreach@utm.edu or visit www.utm.edu/distanceed.
For more information about the University of Tennessee at Martin, visit www.utm.edu or call 1-800-829-UTM1 (-8861).
PHOTO: UT Martin Chancellor Yancy Freeman Sr. speaks at a joint media conference Aug. 29 with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the 25th Judicial District of Tennessee regarding the investigation case file in the death of Pauline Pusser. Shown in the background of the media conference are (l-r) TBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mike Parson, TBI Assistant Director Josh Melton, Special Counsel Amy Weirich, District Attorney General Mark Davidson of the 25th Judicial District of Tennessee and TBI Director David Rausch.
