One of the most bizarre law enforcement incidents that I have ever encountered:
First off, I commend President Trump along with Tennessee law enforcement officials who are now cracking down on Memphis, Tennessee’s crime problem, which includes illegal immigration and drug trafficking. McNairy County, Tennessee (near Memphis, Tennessee) became famous for its Sheriff Buford Pusser and the 1973 movie about him, Walking Tall, starring actor Joe Don Baker. Sheriff Pusser was known to fight crime by himself using his “Big Stick” baseball bat.
In recent weeks, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and a local District Attorney's office concluded their investigation into the 1967 murder of Sheriff Buford Pusser’s wife and found that if Sheriff Pusser was still alive, there would be probable cause to charge him with the murder of his wife!
As a former US Drug Enforcement Administration Regional Director and longest serving Sheriff in Maricopa County, Arizona history, I have investigated many corrupt law enforcement officers and other officials, some at the highest levels of government; however, this is one of the most bizarre law enforcement incidents that I have ever encountered. When I telephoned officials in Sheriff Pusser’s hometown and county to obtain more information on the murder allegations, they refused to call me back. That silence is deafening! After 58 years, the timing of these allegations is suspicious.
In a twist of fate in 2004, Dwane "The Rock" Johnson was chosen for the role of Sheriff Buford Pusser in the remake of the film Walking Tall and he specifically came to my Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff’s Office to learn how to emulate me and the operations of the Sheriff.
In 2008, I travelled to the "Sheriff Buford Pusser Home and Museum" in Adamsville, Tennessee to receive the National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award and the "Big Stick" from Sheriff Pusser’s daughter, Duwana, who continued her father’s legacy by traveling around the country supporting law enforcement, especially sheriffs.
Like Duwana, President Trump has always held law enforcement and sheriffs in high esteem. I will continue to use my institutional knowledge and over 60 years’ law enforcement experience to support President Trump and law enforcement. President Trump is my one and only hero in my lifetime, and like Trump, I will continue to work hard every day in fighting the drug and illegal immigration problem and never stop fighting. Not yesterday. Not today. Not ever! pic.twitter.com/uj7n9cPpY7— Sheriff Joe Arpaio (@RealSheriffJoe) October 3, 2025
