‘I don’t know if he did this’: Residents react to new evidence linking former sheriff to his wife’s death

ADAMSVILLE, Tenn. — Our crew went to Buford Pusser’s hometown to see how residents are responding to the TBI’s murder investigation.

We visited the Buford Pusser museum in Adamsville to find out how residents are feeling amid murder allegations regarding the late sheriff.

We arrived Friday afternoon to find the museum closed and turning visitors away until further notice.

The closure follows the TBI’s release of evidence that authorities believe connects Pusser to his wife Pauline’s murder. Several residents shared mixed reactions online to the recent developments.

One resident we spoke with, Lucky Sweat, says he’s unsure of what to believe.

“When this all started, I said ‘Whatever they find, I don’t think will change the mind of a whole lot of people that didn’t like Buford before this–that’s still not going to like him. The people that did like him are still going to like him.’ I know I still like him. I liked his mother and his friends,” said Sweat.

The City of Adamsville acknowledged the recent findings of the TBI regarding late Sheriff Buford Pusser and while it’s not the information they hoped to receive they aim to address this matter in a responsible and transparent manner.

“What happened between him and his wife is between them you know. I don’t know if he did this. I don’t know at all if he did,” said Sweat.

Sweat tells us about a memory of Pusser that his father shared with him that’s stuck with him for a lifetime.

“He got over there in Selmer one day and he had a flat tire and he didn’t have a spare and he didn’t have any money with him and he said ‘I don’t know what i’m going to do,’ so he was going to start walking toward the court house hoping to find help. He opened the door and Buford came walking out. He said ‘Buford you got a couple of dollars I could get and I’ll give it back to you one day in town this week?’ He pulled his wallet out and handed him a $5 bill. My father said I’ll see you in town to pay you back and Buford said don’t worry about that,” said Sweat.

Adamsville Mayor Jackie Hamm in collaboration with the board of commissioners will work to determine an appropriate course of action with respect to the Buford Pusser Museum.

The City of Adamsville says a public meeting is expected to be held to ensure decisions are made openly and with full accountability.

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