Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio
End of Watch Tuesday, July 24, 1973
Add to My HeroesGary P. Underwood
Correctional Officer Gary Underwood was accidentally shot and killed when he was being held hostage by an inmate at the Lucasville Prison (current-day Southern Ohio Correctional Facility).
The inmate had just shot and killed Officer Arthur Sprouse with a pistol that had been smuggled to him. He took Officer Underwood and two other officers hostage. When he threatened to kill them, sharpshooters fired at him. As soon as they fired, the inmate pushed Officer Underwood into the line of fire and dropped to the floor. The other guards subdued the inmate.
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 Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction for two years. He was survived by his wife and two children.
Bio
- Age 24
- Tour 2 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Most Recent Reflection
View all 14 ReflectionsNEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Correctional Officer Gary P. Underwood of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Ohio, and the additional 71 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.
Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation
July 24, 2024