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Escaped killer and former police chief captured 1.5 miles from Arkansas prison

Lauren Keenan (Reporter)
A former police chief known as the "Devil in the Ozarks" pleaded not guilty to a second-degree escape charge during a hearing on Tuesday.
Image credit: Arkansas Department of Corrections via AP Images
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Summary

Authorities recapture prison escapee

Convicted killer and former police chief Grant Hardin was captured nearly two weeks after escaping from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, Arkansas.

Inmate used disguise to escape

Authorities say he disguised himself in a fake law enforcement uniform and left through a secure area while pushing a cart when he escaped May 25.

Inmate facing new charges

He now faces a second-degree escape charge as officials investigate how he evaded detection.

Full story

Authorities have captured convicted killer and former police chief Grant Hardin after he escaped a jail in Arkansas nearly two weeks ago, according to the Arkansas Department of Corrections. State law enforcement officers and U.S. Border Patrol agents located Hardin and took him back into custody Friday afternoon, June 6.

Authorities found Hardin near Moccasin Creek in Izard County, Arkansas, approximately 1.5 miles west of the North Central Unit — the medium-security prison from which he had escaped. According to officials, tracking dogs detected a scent in the vicinity, leading to Hardin’s apprehension shortly thereafter.

Hardin’s capture ends a nearly two-week manhunt by local, state and federal agencies.

“I’m incredibly appreciative to all of our dedicated law enforcement agencies that spent countless hours, both day and night, sacrificing their time, utilizing their resources and lending their invaluable expertise to this search,” Secretary of Corrections Lindsay Wallace said in a statement. “To every one of our department staff that assisted in this manhunt over the last 13 days, I give my heartfelt thank you for your immeasurable contributions to bring this search to a peaceful conclusion.”

Details of the escape

Investigators said Hardin escaped the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, Arkansas, on Sunday, May 25. At the time of his escape, he was wearing a disguise resembling a law enforcement uniform.

Authorities believe Hardin escaped the prison by pushing a cart through a secure area while wearing a fake uniform that convinced a guard to let him leave.

Hardin’s criminal history

In 2017, Hardin admitted to the murder of James Appleton, an employee of the City of Gateway’s water department and brother-in-law of then-Mayor Andrew Tillman. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the offense. Additionally, Hardin was convicted in a separate case of the 1997 rape of Amy Harrison, a local schoolteacher. That case had remained unsolved for two decades until DNA evidence led to his identification. He received a 50-year sentence for the sexual assault. 

HBO Max featured Hardin’s crimes in a documentary titled “Devil in the Ozarks.”

Authorities say Hardin served as the police chief of the town of Gateway, Arkansas, for about four months in early 2016. Prosecutors have formally charged Hardin with second-degree escape. Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine all the circumstances surrounding his escape.

Devin Pavlou (Digital Producer) contributed to this report.
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Why this story matters

The recapture of Grant Hardin, a convicted murderer and former police chief who escaped from an Arkansas prison, highlights concerns about prison security and public safety.

Prison escape

Hardin’s escape using a disguise and deception raises questions about the effectiveness of prison security procedures and oversight.

Law enforcement response

The coordinated efforts by local, state, and federal agencies to recapture Hardin underscore the resources and collaboration required to address such incidents.

Criminal justice system

Hardin’s history as both a former police chief and a convicted criminal draws attention to the complexities and challenges within the criminal justice system.

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Community reaction

Local community members, including victims' families and local officials, expressed relief after Hardin’s capture. Cheryl Tillman, both mayor of Gateway and the sister of the murder victim, described the recapture as “a big sigh of relief” for her family and the town, highlighting concern and fear during Hardin's time at large.

Context corner

Grant Hardin’s prior law enforcement experience is notable. He briefly served as Gateway’s police chief and held other law enforcement roles in Arkansas, including as an officer and constable. His background may have contributed to his ability to impersonate a corrections officer and escape, as well as influencing the intense law enforcement response to his flight.

History lesson

Escapes using impersonated uniforms have occurred historically in other jurisdictions, often prompting security reviews and procedural changes. The case recalls prior incidents where lapses in verification allowed inmates to walk out. Typically, such cases lead to tighter identification protocols and sometimes broader staffing or systems reviews within correctional facilities.

Sources

  1. Arkansas Dept. of Corrections
  2. Arkansas Dept. of Corrections

Bias comparison

  • Media outlets on the left frame the story by emphasizing Grant Hardin’s criminal identity as a convicted “murderer and rapist” and former police chief, using emotionally charged labels like “Devil in the Ozarks” that underscore public safety concerns and systemic critique of law enforcement roles.
  • Not enough coverage from media outlets in the center to provide a bias comparison.
  • Media outlets on the right highlight the law enforcement response with laudatory language such as “tireless efforts” and a “peaceful conclusion,” portraying the capture as a triumph of order and praising official dedication, often naming specific agencies and officials.

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Media landscape

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Key points from the Left

  • Grant Hardin, a former police chief, was recaptured on June 6 after escaping from an Arkansas prison on May 25.
  • Hardin had been serving a total of 80 years for murder and rape after pleading guilty to these crimes.
  • Sheriff Brandon Long confirmed that there is no longer an active threat to public safety following Hardin's capture.
  • Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders thanked law enforcement for their efforts, stating that Arkansans can now "breathe a sigh of relief" as Hardin is back in custody.

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Key points from the Center

  • Authorities apprehended Grant Hardin, who had fled custody after being convicted of murder and sexual assault, on Friday, June 6, near Calico Rock, Arkansas, concluding a manhunt that lasted nearly two weeks.
  • On 9oMay 25, Hardin fled the North Central Unit by disguising himself as a correctional officer with an improvised uniform, triggering a large-scale law enforcement search.
  • The extensive manhunt to capture Hardin involved numerous law enforcement agencies across various levels, including the U.S. Border Patrol, who used canine units to track him about 1.5 miles from the prison.
  • Hardin, age 56, was linked by DNA to a November 1997 cold case involving the rape of a Rogers elementary school teacher, and he had pleaded guilty to murder.
  • Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and officials expressed gratitude for the coordinated law enforcement operation, highlighting its critical role in restoring public safety.

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Key points from the Right

  • Grant Hardin, an escapee from the North Central Unit, was captured by authorities close to the prison where he escaped.
  • The U.S. Border Patrol assisted with a tactical team during the search for Hardin, who was wanted for serious offenses.
  • A $25,000 reward was offered for information leading to Hardin's capture, as confirmed by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and U.S. Marshals.
  • Officials praised the collaborative efforts of various law enforcement agencies in recapturing Hardin, highlighting the dedication of their staff and resources.

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Sources

  1. Arkansas Dept. of Corrections
  2. Arkansas Dept. of Corrections