"Pop. 1280" is a fictional novel written by Jim Thompson, centered around the life of a small-town sheriff named Nick Corey. Set in a rural American town, Corey embodies the archetype of a corrupt lawman, employing manipulation and deceit to maintain his position of power. The narrative intertwines his mundane day-to-day responsibilities with the darker aspects of his personality as he navigates personal relationships and encounters with the law.