Officer John Underwood was born in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama and spent his formative years in Holt, Alabama, graduating from Holt High School. He moved to Fayette at age 19, when he began college at what was then Brewer State College. John subsequently graduated with an Associate of Science degree. Officer Underwood began his law enforcement career in 1990, when he accepted a position as a Deputy Sheriff with the Fayette County Sheriff's Department, graduating from the University of Alabama Law Enforcement Academy in May 1991, serving as chaplain of his class. During his tenure with the Sheriff's Department, he was heavily involved with the youth of Fayette County, reinstating the McGruff program, and starting the "Keep the Kids Out of Jail" program and a Sheriff's Dept. Explorer Scout program. In January 1995, he accepted a position with this department as a Patrolman. Officer Underwood is a member of the local Fraternal Order of Police Lodge.
John continues to work with the youth of Fayette County in several capacities, having been a coach for twelve years in the various youth baseball and softball leagues within the City of Fayette and currently coaching in a women's summer softball league. He is also currently the Assistant Coach of the Bevill State Community College Women's Basketball team. John was recently named one of the Outstanding Young Men in America for 1998.