Phoebe Judge

He said the man shot at him first.

One headline after the shooting read, Sheriff Buford Pusser Adds to Legend.

CBS News correspondent Roger Mudd came to McNary County to interview Buford.

And then in 1971, a writer named W.R.

Morse published a biography of him called The 12th of August.

The movie was called Walking Tall.

Buford Pusser was played by actor Joe Don Baker.

Ads for the movie said it was, quote, the powerful and true story of Sheriff Buford Pusser, who couldn't be bought and couldn't be killed.

Buford said the movie was about 80% true.

In the movie, Buford Pusser carries a big stick, which he uses to break up moonshine stills and beat people.

During press appearances, he would autograph sticks for fans.

One newspaper said the film was one of the most violent yet most moving films of the season.

One review of the movie said, The movie cost $500,000 to produce and made more than $40 million worldwide.

By the time the movie came out in 1973, Buford was no longer the sheriff of McNary County.

He lost when he tried to run for a fourth term in 1972.

In August of 1974, it was announced that Buford would play himself in a sequel to the Walking Tall movie.

He told a reporter at a press conference in Memphis, the idea scares me some.

Some people speculated that Buford's enemies had tampered with his car.

But police investigating said they could find no evidence of foul play.

One newspaper wrote...