Calico Rock, AR – A former police chief and convicted killer known as the “Devil in the Ozarks” has been captured after a nearly two-week-long manhunt through the rugged terrain of northern Arkansas. Grant Hardin, 25, was apprehended on June 8, just 1.5 miles away from the Calico Rock prison he escaped from on May 25.
The Escape and Search
Hardin, who was serving lengthy sentences for murder and rape, managed to escape the Calico Rock Correctional Facility by impersonating a corrections officer. He tricked an officer into opening a secure gate, allowing him to walk out of the prison undetected. This lapse in security has been under investigation, as it is suspected that Hardin’s identity was never properly verified before he was allowed to leave the facility.
After his escape, authorities launched a massive search for Hardin, using bloodhounds, officers on horseback, drones, and helicopters. Despite early progress, the trail was lost when heavy rain wiped away the scent. The search was later joined by a highly trained U.S. Border Patrol team with experience navigating difficult terrain. The team’s advanced search capabilities were critical in tracking Hardin through the area’s thick forests, rocky landscape, and cave networks.
Hardin’s capture came on Friday afternoon when he attempted to flee but was quickly tackled by officers. He was found covered in mud, shirtless, and with his hands tied behind his back, and was turned over to Arkansas State Police unharmed.
The Crimes and Convictions
Hardin’s criminal record is marked by violent offenses. In 2017, he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder after fatally shooting 59-year-old James Appleton, a local water department worker, near Garfield, Arkansas. Hardin was sentenced to 30 years in prison for that crime. He was also convicted of the 1997 rape of an elementary school teacher in Rogers, for which he received a 50-year sentence. Hardin’s DNA linked him to the assault.
His capture is a significant moment for the victims’ families. Cheryl Tillman, Appleton’s sister and the mayor of Gateway, expressed relief at Hardin’s arrest. “We don’t have to walk around, turning around all the time, thinking somebody’s on our back,” she said.
A Troubling Past in Law Enforcement
Hardin’s history in law enforcement was also troubling. He had served as a police officer in several communities across northwest Arkansas, but his tenure was marked by issues of misconduct. His career as an officer began in Fayetteville, where he was dismissed after struggling in the role. He was hired in multiple other police departments, but his record was marred by incidents including excessive use of force.
In 1996, while working as a police officer in Eureka Springs, Hardin resigned when Chief Earl Hyatt planned to fire him over his behavior. In 2016, he became the police chief in Gateway, where his actions as a leader, including unprovoked car chases, raised concern among locals like Tillman, who later recounted his actions in the documentary Devil in the Ozarks.
Community Reaction and Next Steps
Hardin’s capture brings closure to a drawn-out chapter of fear for the people in his community. Tillman, along with the rest of the Appleton family, can now feel relief knowing that the man responsible for their loved ones’ suffering is back in custody.
As the investigation into Hardin’s escape and the prison’s security lapses continues, questions remain about how such a dangerous individual was able to exploit the system and escape for so long.
Authorities are expected to pursue further questions with Hardin regarding the details of his escape and his past crimes. Hardin will likely face additional charges related to his escape, and the full scope of his criminal activities will continue to unfold.
