Officer Clagget was shot and killed while responding to a call of a stabbing.

On February 8, 1925, at 7:30 pm, Officer Claggett, serving as emergency reserve at the Carr Street station, at 10th and Carr Street, and Officer John McGuire responded on a report of a stabbing at 1011 North Twelfth Street, rear. Officer Claggett was directed to the front of the residence by a citizen. As he walked to the door, the officers were encountered by suspect John Perry who fired shots at the officers. The officers reported they announced themselves, identifying themselves as police officers. As Officer McGuire approached from behind Officer Claggett, he observed the two grappling over a revolver and heard three shots. Officer Claggett was shot several times by John "Blind Black" Perry, 51.

Suspect Perry told police that he had become involved in a physical altercation with a Henry Bowles over some money he had believed Bowles stole from him and two shots were fired duriing the struggle. Bowels stated that when Perry asserted Bowles had stolen money from him, Perry produced a revolver and fired two shots causing Bowles to shelter behind a stove. When officers arrived, Perry claimed that he thought they were friends of the man who had stolen from him. Officer Claggett and Officer McGuire reported that they had advised Perry that they were police officers. Bowles and two female witnesses near the shooting were able to partially corroborate the officers statements.

Officer Claggett was given a transfusion as part of his medical treatment to save his life, but he died from his wounds, including gunshot wounds to his chest, at City Hospital on February 9, 1925, at 12:03 am.

Suspect Perry, who became blind in 1911, had previously served several years in the penitentiary for burglary. He had been committed to the Workhouse on several occasions for lesser charges, including charges of petty larcenty and assault with the intent to kill including the discharge of a weapon at others. Suspect Perry was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the second degree murder of Officer Claggett.

Officer Claggett had been with the agency for 17 years, joining the department on June 18, 1907. He was survived by his wife: Maude. Interred: Valhalla Cemetery. Interred: Valhalla Cemetery.