How Many Kids Did Buford Pusser Have? McNairy County Legacy In 2026

The life of Buford Pusser, the legendary sheriff of McNairy County, Tennessee, has inspired decades of cinematic adaptations, books, and true-crime retrospectives. Best known as the real-life inspiration behind the Walking Tall franchise, Pusser's relentless war against the Dixie Mafia and the State Line Mob during the 1960s and 1970s cemented his status as an American folk hero. However, behind the badge and the famous white oak club was a family man whose private life was marked by deep love, intense loyalty, and immense tragedy.

For historians, genealogists, and true-crime enthusiasts researching the family tree of this law enforcement icon, understanding his immediate family structure is essential. Buford Pusser had one biological daughter with his wife, Pauline Mullins, and was a dedicated stepfather to two stepchildren from Pauline's previous marriage.

The Immediate Family of Buford Pusser

To understand the household Buford Pusser protected so fiercely, we must look at his marriage to Pauline Mullins. The couple married on December 5, 1959. At the time of their marriage, Pauline was a young mother with two sons from a previous relationship. Buford formally embraced his role as a father to these boys, raising them alongside the daughter he and Pauline later welcomed together.

Dwana Pusser: The Only Biological Daughter

Dwana Pusser was born on January 9, 1961. As the only biological child of Buford and Pauline, Dwana grew up in the intense spotlight of her father’s local sheriff campaign and subsequent international fame. She was only six years old on August 12, 1967, when her mother was tragically assassinated and her father was severely disfigured in the infamous New Hope Road ambush.

Despite the profound childhood trauma of losing her mother and later losing her father in a suspicious 1974 car crash, Dwana dedicated much of her adult life to preserving her parents' legacy. She served as the primary custodian of the family’s history, working closely with the Buford Pusser Home and Museum in Adamsville, Tennessee. Dwana passed away on March 7, 2018, at the age of 57, leaving behind a legacy of historical preservation and community involvement.

Mike and Vance Mullins: The Stepchildren

Before marrying Buford, Pauline had two sons: Mike Mullins and Vance Mullins. Following the marriage, Buford raised both boys as his own in their Adamsville home.

• Mike Mullins: Kept a relatively low public profile compared to his sister Dwana but remained deeply respectful of his stepfather's impact on their lives and the community of McNairy County.
• Vance Mullins: Similarly chose a private life away from the Hollywood spotlight and the true-crime media circuit, though he remained an integral part of the extended Pusser family dynamic during the turbulent years of the late 1960s and 1970s.

Key Historical Milestones: The Pusser Family Timeline

The story of the Pusser family is deeply intertwined with the history of West Tennessee. The following table provides a chronological overview of the key milestones in the lives of Buford, Pauline, and their children, verified against local archives and museum records.

The New Hope Road Ambush and Family Impact

On the morning of August 12, 1967, the lives of the Pusser children were forever altered. Sheriff Buford Pusser received a call about disturbance activities on New Hope Road, located just inside the state line. Pauline decided to ride along with him, a common practice to spend quiet time together away from the hectic sheriff's office.

As they drove past the New Hope Methodist Church, a car pulled alongside their patrol vehicle, and occupants opened fire with semi-automatic weapons. Pauline was struck twice in the head and killed instantly. Buford suffered catastrophic gunshot wounds to his lower face, requiring dozens of reconstructive surgeries over the subsequent years.

For young Dwana, Mike, and Vance, the event shattered their domestic life. In historical interviews, Dwana recalled the agonizing months of her father’s recovery and the heavy security presence that guarded their Adamsville residence to protect the surviving children from potential retaliatory hits by the State Line Mob.

Preserving the Legacy in Adamsville, Tennessee

For travelers and historians visiting West Tennessee, the physical home where Buford raised his family remains a preserved time capsule of the 1960s and 1970s.

The Buford Pusser Home and Museum

Located at 341 Pusser Street in Adamsville, Tennessee, the museum offers an intimate look at the family's daily life. The ranch-style home, built by Buford in the late 1960s, contains the original furnishings, family photos, personal effects, and law enforcement memorabilia.

Visitors can tour the bedrooms of the children, view Dwana’s personal scrapbooks, and see the infamous modified 1974 Chevrolet Corvette in which Buford lost his life. The museum stands as a monument to the heavy price one family paid for local justice.

The museum remains highly active, hosting the annual Sheriff Buford Pusser Festival, which brings law enforcement officers, history buffs, and cinematic fans to McNairy County to honor the family’s sacrifices.

Pros and Cons of Growing Up Under a Historical Spotlight

The children of highly publicized historical figures face unique advantages and profound difficulties. The Pusser children experienced a childhood unlike any other in 20th-century Southern history.

The Advantages

• Cultural Preservation: Dwana Pusser was able to use her platform to advocate for victims of violent crime, work with law enforcement charities, and author the biographical book Walking On, which provided an authentic look at her father's human side.
• Community Support: The citizens of Adamsville and McNairy County enveloped the children in protective care following the deaths of Pauline and Buford, ensuring they had deep regional roots and lifelong support.
• Historical Continuity: The children were able to ensure that Hollywood adaptations, such as the 1973 film starring Joe Don Baker, did not completely erase the accurate historical facts of their parents' lives.

The Disadvantages

• Constant Safety Threats: Throughout their youth, the children lived with the psychological burden of active threats from organized crime syndicates operating along the Tennessee-Mississippi state line.
• Loss of Privacy: Media intrusion, true-crime investigators, and tourists frequently visited their home, making a normal, quiet childhood exceptionally difficult to maintain.
• Generational Grief: Losing a mother to assassination and a father to a suspicious vehicular accident within seven years left a lasting mark of tragedy on the family line.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Buford Pusser's Children

Did Buford Pusser have any sons?

Buford Pusser did not have any biological sons, but he raised two stepsons, Mike and Vance Mullins, who were the children of his wife Pauline from a previous marriage.

Is Buford Pusser’s daughter still alive?

No, Buford's daughter, Dwana Pusser, passed away on March 7, 2018, at her home in Adamsville, Tennessee, at the age of 57.

Did Buford Pusser’s children inherit his estate?

Yes, following his death in 1974, his estate, including his home, personal effects, and intellectual property rights relating to the Walking Tall franchise, passed down through his family, with Dwana playing the primary role in managing his legacy and the museum.

Are there any living descendants of Buford Pusser?

Yes, Dwana Pusser had children, meaning Buford Pusser has living grandchildren and great-grandchildren who carry on his family line, though they choose to live private lives away from the public eye.

Where are Buford Pusser and his family buried?

Buford Pusser, his wife Pauline, and their daughter Dwana are buried alongside one another at the Adamsville Cemetery in McNairy County, Tennessee.

The Enduring Legacy of the Pusser Family

As we reflect on the history of West Tennessee, the story of Buford Pusser remains incomplete without acknowledging the family that stood by his side. The courage displayed by his daughter Dwana in keeping her family's memory alive, alongside the quiet strength of his stepsons Mike and Vance, highlights the human element behind the Walking Tall legend. Their lives demonstrate that the true legacy of Buford Pusser is found not just in his battle against crime, but in the resilient family that survived the storm.