From cheers to conviction: The story of ex-Chester County Sheriff Alex Big “A” Underwood
In January 2013, nine children from Chester Park Elementary School were in the front row at the Chester County Courthouse when Alex “Big A” Underwood was sworn in as the first-ever Black Sheriff of Chester County.
They had done reports on Underwood’s successful election in November 2012. Underwood had spent more than 20 years as a State Law Enforcement agent and survived being shot on duty before running for sheriff.
The reports used phrases such as “great role model,” and that Underwood would “keep bad people off the streets.” One student said Underwood pushed him to “dream big.”
The packed courthouse audience clapped and cheered as Underwood was sworn in.
Almost a decade later, Underwood himself is heading to prison after he was convicted of corruption in this rural county of 32,000 people.
Underwood started as sheriff as a hero to the public
As sheriff, Underwood arrested and prosecuted gang members in 2014 who were involved in the killing of a Chester City Councilman. Underwood told the gangs at a news conference that he had “declared war on gangs.”
Gang members issued death threats to Underwood and he said through the cameras to gang members: “You say you are coming for me, I am coming for you.”
The public cheered again.
Underwood then challenged politicians at a Chester County Council meeting to give more money for cops to protect the public.
The public that had packed the meeting stood and clapped for Underwood.
Then when a Chester County, Pennsylvania boy, in a mix-up, missed out on a hunting trip sponsored by Underwood who was in Chester County, South Carolina, Underwood brought the child to South Carolina. After The Herald reported of Underwood’s kindness, the story went international.
When Underwood ran for re-election in 2016, he sent this statement to The Herald about himself: “Known to many simple as “Big A,” Underwood is a trusted and well respected law enforcement veteran and legend in his own time.”
Underwood was overwhelmingly re-elected in 2016.
The fall: Indictment and conviction
Underwood was suspended from office in May 2019 by S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster after a federal grand jury indicted him on charges of corruption, false arrest, and misuse of personnel and money.
While suspended, he ran for re-election in 2020 and was soundly defeated by interim Sheriff Max Dorsey. Dorsey remains sheriff in Chester County.
The trial was in April 2021.
The Herald has covered Underwood from his time as a candidate for sheriff in 2012 through Monday’s sentencing in federal court.
Here are some of the stories, photos and videos about Underwood’s time as sheriff and his downfall.
Underwood elected in 2012 and sworn in in 2013.
Underwood takes on gangs after city councilman killed in 2014.
Underwood takes on politicians for more money for law enforcement in 2014.
Underwood helps child in mixup come to Chester for hunting trip in 2014.
Underwood indicted, suspended from office in 2019.
Underwood convicted in 2021.
