EX-DEPUTY GRANTED 'SHOCK' PROBATION

An ex-Harris County sheriff's deputy who was serving four years in prison
for drug charges was released Wednesday and put on "shock" probation.

Over prosecutors' objections, state District Judge Jim Wallace granted a
defense motion to free Lawrence Rhea Underwood to serve six years' probation
for two charges of possession of a controlled substance.

Underwood, 30, pleaded guilty to the charges in June. Wallace sentenced him
to four years in prison, telling him he had soiled his badge.

But state law allows Underwood to go back to Wallace within six months to
request "shock" probation, so-called because it means the felon has tasted
prison life.

Wallace said he felt Underwood's crime was terrible, but that the man
deserved a chance to prove himself.

"I believe he's learned a very valuable lesson," Wallace said. "He's been in
prison six months and I put him on probation with some pretty strenuous
conditions. I believe he will never violate his probation, otherwise I would
have never had him 'shocked' out of prison."

Wallace ordered Underwood to do 500 hours' community service. He must also
report to his probation officer more than the average probationer, take more
drug tests and attend counseling.

Underwood and his wife, Lisa, pleaded guilty to drug charges. She got six
years' probation.

Lisa Underwood was arrested in an Oct. 29, 1998. drug sting. After her
arrest, deputies got a search warrant to test her husband's urine.

Underwood, a deputy since '91, was arrested at the their northeast Harris
County home and fired shortly thereafter.

Evidence showed he had been using drugs for five years. At his June
sentencing hearing, he admitted under oath that he once used drugs while on
duty and once bought drugs while he was in a patrol car.