Mike Elam

Mike Elam

Mike Elam, a former Benton County Deputy Sheriff and corporate Loss Prevention Director, spent decades researching the Buford Pusser story. His independent cold-case investigation uncovered major inconsistencies, led to locating the suspected murder weapon, and helped prompt the TBI’s reinvestigation, resulting in the DA’s conclusion that Buford Pusser would be indicted today.

Guest Appearances
January 23, 2026

Cold case investigation into ‘Walking Tall’ sheriff uncovers murder

In the 1973 film Walking Tall, Sheriff Buford Pusser is a heroic law enforcement officer in small-town Tennessee whose fight against the Dixie Mafia leads to an ambush and shooting that left...