Ex-Police Chief Dubbed “Devil in the Ozarks” Escapes Arkansas Prison: Key Details Inside
Arkansas Authorities on High Alert After Convicted Killer Escapes
Law enforcement across Arkansas is on edge as they pursue Grant Hardin, a former police chief and convicted killer who escaped from prison over the weekend. The 58-year-old was serving time in the North Central Unit, a medium-security facility in Calico Rock. His disappearance has left residents and officials questioning how such a bold escape could happen.
Hardin, infamous as the “Devil in the Ozarks,” had been sentenced for the murder of James Appleton, a Gateway water department employee, and for a separate rape case from 1997. Hardin’s escape follows another recent jailbreak in New Orleans where 10 men fled through a hole behind a toilet; eight have since been captured.
The details of Hardin’s escape are still unfolding. According to court documents, he managed to walk out of the prison by impersonating a corrections officer. A secure gate was opened for him, allowing his escape into the rugged terrain surrounding the facility. How he acquired or crafted an officer’s uniform remains unclear, but it’s a pressing concern for authorities.
Video footage captured Hardin leaving the facility at approximately 2:55 p.m. on Sunday, with officials becoming aware of his absence about two hours later. The circumstances around his departure-whether he acted alone or had help-are under investigation.
The Arkansas Department of Corrections has initiated an intensive search involving multiple law enforcement agencies across the state. In an update shared on their official Twitter account, they confirmed that efforts are ongoing to locate Hardin and return him to custody.
There’s been scrutiny over why Hardin was housed in a medium-security facility given his violent criminal history. Bryan Sexton, Benton County prosecutor, expressed concern over the nature of Hardin’s crimes and emphasized the urgency in recapturing him. “As individuals go, there’s very few people that have that many violent charges,” Sexton noted.
Hardin’s criminal history dates back to his time as police chief in Gateway-a small town near the Arkansas-Missouri border-where he resigned amid controversy in 2016. A 2023 HBO documentary, “Devil in the Ozarks,” detailed tensions between Hardin and Appleton, which culminated in Appleton’s murder.
Residents are understandably shaken by Hardin’s escape. Andrew Tillman, former Gateway mayor and brother-in-law to Appleton, described hearing gunfire while on the phone with Appleton during his murder. “My heart just sank,” Tillman said, reflecting on the harrowing moment.
The documentary also features accounts from local residents who recall seeing Hardin shortly after the crime and surveillance footage showing him dining with family post-shooting. These depictions highlight the shockwaves that rocked the community following Appleton’s death.
Authorities are deploying canines, drones, and helicopters to comb through northern Arkansas’s challenging landscape. The search area has widened as more time passes since Hardin’s escape, though heavy rainfall has complicated efforts.
The rural setting around Calico Rock poses both difficulties and opportunities for law enforcement. While the terrain is rough and sparsely populated, any unfamiliar face is likely to attract attention. Craig Caine, a retired U.S. Marshals inspector familiar with such cases, pointed out that this could aid efforts to recapture Hardin if locals remain vigilant.
The search continues as state and federal agencies follow leads in hopes of swiftly bringing Grant Hardin back into custody before he can pose further danger.
For more details, see this background on crime trends.
