By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS – Joseph M. Underwood Jr. today announced plans to seek re-election as the Republican candidate for Cass County sheriff for a fifth term.
He became sheriff on Jan. 1, 1993.
In making his announcement, Sheriff Underwood noted with pride that the hallmark of his administration has been a commitment of service to all county citizens.
He said this dedication is best expressed in the Sheriff's Office mission statement: "The Cass County Sheriff's Office, recognizing its commitment of service to all citizens, will provide professional law enforcement and crime prevention in accordance with the highest possible standards, integrity and fairness."
Underwood underscored his continuing commitment to serve the people of Cass County – a task he undertook more than 30 years ago when his law enforcement career began with the Dowagiac Police Department under Chief George Grady.
"I am more convinced than ever that it is vital for all of us to work together to promote positive, supportive relationships that fight crime and prevent victimization of our citizens," Underwood said. "We need to be involved in our communities, including our youth as well as our seniors, for law enforcement to be truly effective."
Underwood's belief that exemplary law enforcement results from a coordinated approach throughout the county can be seen in the many partnerships forged to protect Cass County citizens:
Cass County Drug Enforcement Team (CCDET) is comprised of detectives from the Office of the Sheriff and the Dowagiac Police Department.
Cass County sheriff's deputies patrol Howard Township and Marcellus village and township as part of their contractual efforts for those municipalities to provide cost-effective, yet comprehensive, law enforcement resources.
A unique arrangement with Cass County Council on Aging provided the opportunity to create the senior safety coordinator position which works directly with seniors to address their safety concerns and other issues.
Underwood is particularly proud to have served as the Michigan TRIAD coordinator. The TRIAD program is a joint effort involving police agencies in cooperation with seniors to generate awareness and to promote deterrence through proven crime prevention techniques.
Community Policing programs have flourished under Underwood's leadership, providing an opportunity for local groups to work together with law enforcement personnel to exchange information and support efforts to protect neighborhoods.
The Community Policing Scholarship Golf Outing brought corporate sponsors together with neighborhood groups to fund 82 $500 scholarships totaling $41,000 to area students to attend Southwestern Michigan College and other Michigan colleges. An arrangement with the SMC Foundation allowed for matching endowment funds to provide additional benefit to Cass County youth. To date, $26,150 has been contributed to this endowment, which is matched dollar for dollar by the SMC Foundation.
Underwood partnered with Cassopolis Public Schools to provide a school resource officer. This program continues to provide a positive presence in schools that links students and families to the school district and community resources.
Underwood coordinated formation of a countywide school safety team comprised of the superintendents of all Cass County schools and the Dowagiac and Ontwa Township police chiefs. The team, formed in 2007, is charged with design and implementation of an interagency strategy for school safety and response plans.
The Cass County Correctional Facility has received accolades from the Michigan Department of Corrections Jail Management Division for receiving a grade of 100-percent compliance with all standards for Michigan jails for an unprecedented eighth consecutive year.
Cass County Animal Control, directed by Pat Fetherston, continues its highly successful Adopt-a-Pet campaign, with adoptions from as far away as the East Coast and Washington state.
Underwood said he is very proud of his well-educated and highly-motivated staff that serves Cass County.
This commitment and training are exemplified by the detectives and officers charged with investigating crime scenes to gather forensic evidence, build cases for court and to obtain convictions.
This work, together with sustained efforts to increase revenues from grants and other sources, will continue in Sheriff Underwood's next term.
Underwood earned his bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968, achieving the rank of sergeant, honorable discharge and received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and a Purple Heart.
The sheriff belongs to the Michigan Sheriffs' Association, the Cass County Community Corrections Advisory Board, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, Cass County Law Advisory Council (president); and Cass County Major Crimes Task Force.
His extensive community involvements include American Legion, Cass County Red Cross, Human Services Coordinating Council, Civitan, Dowagiac Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow, 2001), vice president of Dowagiac Area Federal Credit Union, House of Prayer Community Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars Cassopolis Post 10704 and Dowagiac Optimist Club.
He volunteers as a Meals on Wheels driver for COA and co-captained a Relay for Life team.
Underwood was appointed in 2003 to the Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice board and reappointed in 2008 by Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm
In 2000, Underwood was the Michigan Credit Union Foundation Volunteer of the Year.
He and his wife, Cindy, live in Cassopolis. They are the parents of four children and two grandchildren.