Roll of Honor
Incident
Master Police Officer Steven Underwood was shot and killed while questioning four juvenile suspects he had stopped while they were walking along Pacific Highway at approximately 1:30 a.m.
Officer Underwood had requested backup and stated he recognized one of the suspects as a wanted felon. When additional units arrived, they found him with critical gunshot wounds to the abdomen and head. His pistol was still secure in his holster. Officer Underwood was wearing a vest, but the abdomen shot entered just below the vest line. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries approximately four hours later.
All four suspects were eventually apprehended, and the shooter was charged with aggravated murder. The other three suspects were not charged.
In November 2004, the suspect pled guilty to first-degree murder in a plea bargain with prosecutors. He was sentenced to 34 years in prison.
Officer Underwood had served with the Des Moines Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two-year-old son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-D10050B6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Master Police Officer Underwood gave the Des Moines Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Des Moines community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Master Police Officer Underwood.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Master Police Officer Steven J. Underwood is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Steven J. Underwood's cause is highlighted.
How Steven J. Underwood Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 34 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Steven J. Underwood is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Steven J. Underwood was killed by handgun.