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Correctional Officer Gary P. Underwood | Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio
Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio

Correctional Officer

Gary P. Underwood

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio

End of Watch: Tuesday, July 24, 1973

Biographical Info

Age: 24
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details

Cause of Death: Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Date of Incident: July 24, 1973
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life

Correctional Officer Gary Underwood was accidentally shot and killed by another officer as guards overpowered an inmate who was holding him and two other guards hostage. The suspect had just shot and killed Officer Arthur Sprouse with a pistol that had been smuggled to him.

A guard who had recently been fired was charged with smuggling the gun to the inmate. The inmate, who was serving a life sentence for murder, was convicted of Officer Sprouse's murder and received another life sentence.

Officer Underwood had served with the agency for two years. He was survived by his wife and two children.