Last week, the Noblesville Police Dept. released the following statement after the death of retired Sgt. David Underwood:
“It is with deep sadness that Chief Kevin Jowitt announces the passing of retired Noblesville Police Department Sergeant David Underwood … He was 68 years old.
“Dave Underwood was a fixture in Hamilton County law enforcement. He first joined the Noblesville Police Department on June 1, 1974, and stayed until October of 1976, when he became a Deputy Sheriff with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department. He left HCSD and returned to the NPD on July 16, 1979, serving an additional 23 years until his retirement on January 4, 2002. Dave was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in February of 1985. He served as a patrol officer, patrol supervisor and as a detective sergeant. He was a founding member of the Crisis Negotiation Team.
“His service to the city continued with an additional eight years as a member of the Noblesville Police Merit Commission.
“Prior to becoming a law enforcement officer Dave served his country in the United States Air Force from 1969-1972. He was a combat veteran of the Vietnam War and was attached to MACV-SOG.
Dave was born and raised in Noblesville and didn’t know a stranger here. He spent his entire adult life in the service of his country and his community. He will be missed.”
Obituary
David L. “Digger” Underwood, 68, Noblesville, died Oct. 23 at Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis. He was born Feb. 4, 1949, to Luther and Dessie (Cooksey) Underwood in Noblesville.
Dave was in the top 10 percent of his 1968 graduating class of Noblesville High School. He proudly served his country in Special Operations of the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War and at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio upon his return from Vietnam. Dave attended the Indiana Police Academy and worked as an officer for the Sheridan Police Dept., a deputy for Hamilton County Sheriff’s Dept. and the Noblesville Police Dept., where he retired as a detective. He proudly served as a member of the Noblesville Police Merit Board. Dave also worked for Fred’s Frozen Foods for many years, Coaltrin Funeral Home and in security at Riverview Hospital. He loved a good cigar and enjoyed fishing, coin collecting, attending auctions and spending time with his family. David was honest, caring, supportive and faithful to his family and his Lord. He was a loyal and brave soldier and loved serving his community and country.
He is survived by his wife, Rita K. Underwood, who he married in May of 1974; son Brad Underwood (Amy); daughter Amber Hagerty (Adam Henderson); grandsons Ryan Underwood (fiancée Kcee Richardson) and Evan Hagerty; granddaughters Briana Jung, Mercedes Bivens (Jacob), Chloe Hagerty, Montana Underwood and Jasmine Underwood; nieces and nephew Scott Bentley, Amy Mulvaney, Heather Reynolds and Andrea Burns; and his beloved cat, Boots.
In addition to his parents, Dave was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Alice Bentley, and nephew Matthew Bentley.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Indiana Veterans’ Home, 3851 N. River Rd., West Lafayette, IN 47906, or your local police Shop with a Cop program. Services were held Oct. 28.
Condolences: randallroberts.com
