Deputy Marshal Hughett succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained two days earlier as he and several other officers attempted to serve a warrant in Knox County, Tennessee. The suspects named in the warrant had sold liquor to a prohibition agent several days earlier.
After serving the warrant one of the men asked to go inside to retrieve personal items. Deputy Marshal Hughett allowed him to go inside, but followed him into the home. The man told Deputy Marshal Hughett to wait in one room as the man went into another, but Deputy Marshal Hughett continued to follow him. A struggle ensued and the man produced a revolver and shot Deputy Marshal Hughett. The suspect was then taken into custody.