Claxton Police Department, Georgia
End of Watch: Wednesday, January 12, 1910
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: January 12, 1910
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Acquitted
Town Marshal William Bagget was shot and killed when he attempted to arrest a man for speeding in his automobile through Claxton.
He had stopped the man near the intersection of Railroad Street and South Newton Street. When he grabbed the man's arm, the man turned and shot him four times.
On January 17, 1911, the 20-year-old subject, who had fled to another state, voluntarily surrendered to the Tattnall County Sheriff in Savannah. The suspect was charged with murder and released in leu of a $25,000 bond. The suspect, from a prominent and wealthy family, claimed self defense. He was represented at his trial by four attorneys. On April 12, 1912, he was acquitted.