What we know about Buford Pusser’s alleged enemies

MCNAIRY COUNTY, Tenn. — The Pauline Pusser files are public and we continue to provide the astonishing details within these files.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Pauline Pusser files reveal inconsistencies, possible motive, and more

As we reported Tuesday, the Pauline Pusser files revealed shocking details about events that uncovered by the investigation.

However, there is also evidence in these files that show Buford had enemies when he was McNairy County sheriff.

Buford Pusser was elected McNairy County sheriff in 1964. Pusser’s overall goal when elected was to fight crime against criminal organizations and specifically the Dixie Mafia and the state line mob.

This led to Pusser becoming a threat to these criminal organizations.

The Dixie Mafia

The Dixie Mafia was an organization that committed crimes near McNairy County. The type of crimes this group would commit included robbery, murder, and illegal gambling.

Therefore, originally in the investigation Buford stated that a dark blue Cadillac had fired shots into his car during an ambush which caused the death of Pauline.

Buford claimed that he knew who the suspects were that fired the shots at his car and they were members of the Dixie Mafia.

However, none of the named suspects of the Dixie Mafia were ever charged for the murder of Pauline.

The State Line Mob & Lousie Hathcock

In addition to the Dixie Mafia, McNairy County had another criminal organization that conducted operations. The “State Line Mob” carried out crimes near the border of Tennessee and Mississippi, along U.S. Route 45.

The Shamrock Hotel was in operation under Lousie Hathcock in McNairy County.

Louise Hathcock attempted to assassinate Buford in 1966 after he served her with a warrant at the Shamrock Hotel for theft and illegal possession of whiskey, but he fired shots at Hathcock and killed her.

These details appear to support Pusser’s claim to be targeted by a couple of criminal organizations. However after reviewing all the evidence, investigators say if he was alive today, he would be charged with his wife’s death.

As of today, UT Martin is still working to upload the case files to a website that anyone can view. At this time, there is no set date on when this website will be available.

For more local crime coverage, click here.