By John Smith

Four months into Buford’s third term as sheriff, he faced taking another life with his gun.

On Christmas Day, 1968, Buford received a call from Don Pipkin that his cousin, Charles Russell Hamilton, was threatening to kill him and his wife.

Buford knew Hamilton and the lengthy record he had for killing his wife, his mother, a York man from Chewalla, and another man from Alabama.

Buford stated one time "that he felt like the 50 year old man should have been strapped into an electric chair years ago."

When Buford arrived at the home of Pipkin he stepped out of his car and walked up to the front door. Buford knocked. "Come in", said a distinct voice. As Buford entered the front door, the bullets started flying. Hamilton was firing his .32 caliber automatic at Buford as fast as he could.

The first shot fired from Hamilton sliced across the Sheriff’s stomach, while the second whizzed past his head. Buford said the third shot fired from Hamilton’s gun struck him in the handle of his .357 magnum.

Buford quickly unholstered his pistol and fired one shot at Hamilton. The one shot from the Sheriff hit Hamilton right between the eyes, killing him.

Buford had now killed two people while trying to uphold his duties as McNairy County Sheriff.

The case involving Buford and Hamilton was turned over to the McNairy grand jury by District Attorney Will T. Abernathy. The case was ruled that Pusser had shot Hamilton in self defense.

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