Sheriff Pusser investigates the disappearance of a miner who has inflamed his bosses with vocal complaints about low wages and unsafe working conditions.
After an old friend is murdered by chemical company workers dumping excess toxic waste, Sheriff Pusser teams up with a whistle-blowing company employee to solve the case.
Sheriff Pusser butts heads with an idealistic priest who learns of a gunrunning ring during confession, but his vows prevent him from sharing his knowledge with the law.