Law enforcement agencies are ramping up their search efforts in the rugged terrain of Arkansas’ Ozark Mountains for Grant Hardin, a former police chief and convicted killer, who escaped from a medium-security prison this past weekend.
Hardin, who previously served as police chief in the small town of Gateway, near the Arkansas-Missouri border, is infamously known as the “Devil in the Ozarks” due to his convictions for murder and rape.
According to court documents, Hardin managed to evade custody by impersonating a correction officer, appearing in authentic clothing, which a guard unwittingly accepted, leading to his exit through a secure gate.
Rand Champion, spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Corrections, confirmed that the attire Hardin wore was not typical of an inmate or correctional uniform, adding complexity to the investigation as officials seek to understand how he acquired or even manufactured such apparel.
Champion further explained that the decision to house Hardin in a medium-security facility was based on an assessment of the risks associated with his crimes, indicating a broader concern for prison safety and inmate needs.
This escape occurred just days after a separate incident in New Orleans where ten men tunneled out of a jail, with eight of them subsequently being recaptured.
As the manhunt for Hardin commences, concerns grow in the community particularly among the family members of his victims. Cheryl Tillman, sister of Hardin’s murder victim James Appleton, expressed her unease, stating, “We were there at his trial when all that went down, and he seen us there, he knows.”
The Arkansas Department of Corrections has deployed canines, drones, and helicopters to scour the challenging northern Arkansas landscape for Hardin.
Champion noted that while the search area is extensive, details remain limited for security reasons. He described the rugged terrain, stating, “Where this facility is located, the topography does provide challenges. At the same time, it kind of limits where he is able to get. It’s called Calico Rock for a reason, because it’s very rocky.”
Surveillance footage confirmed that Hardin escaped at approximately 2:55 p.m. on Sunday, with the prison authorities announcing his absence about two hours later. However, the ongoing heavy rain complicates the search efforts, adding another layer of difficulty to the already challenging conditions.
Craig Caine, a retired inspector with the U.S. Marshals, weighed in on the consequences of his escape into a rural area.
Caine emphasized, “At some point in time, he’s going to run out of provisions,” suggesting that Hardin’s options may dwindle in the unfamiliar wilderness.
He elaborated further on the rural dynamics, stating, “In more rural areas, most people know one another,” thereby increasing the chances of someone recognizing Hardin and contacting law enforcement.
With the community understandably rattled by the escape, Izard County Sheriff Charley Melton urged local residents to secure their homes and vehicles while remaining alert for any suspicious activity.
Bryan Sexton, the prosecutor responsible for convicting Hardin of murder and rape, has reached out to investigate officers and families impacted by Hardin’s crimes. He reflects on the emotional toll of rekindling painful memories for those affected.
Gateway, a small community with just around 450 residents, contrasts sharply with the nearby retail giant Walmart’s headquarters in Bentonville, which represents a more urban landscape.
Darla Nix, a local café owner and someone who knew Hardin as a quieter member of the community, raised concerns regarding the search efforts.
Describing Hardin as “a very, very smart man,” Nix believes that capturing him may prove challenging, adding, “He knows where the caves are. He’s just a survivor. He knows how to make it. They’re going to have their hands full trying to catch him.”
For Tillman, the news of Hardin’s escape is a painful reminder of her brother’s tragic death. “He’s just an evil man,” she said. “He is no good for society.”
Hardin is serving a 30-year sentence for the first-degree murder of James Appleton, who was shot dead in 2017. Appleton was working for the Gateway water department when he was tragically killed, found with a gunshot wound to the head in his vehicle.
In addition to the murder sentence, Hardin is also serving a 50-year sentence for the 1997 rape of an elementary school teacher in Rogers, Arkansas.
Having been incarcerated at the Calico Rock prison since 2017, Hardin’s escape raises serious questions about security protocol within the facility, which has a capacity of approximately 800 inmates.
As the search continues, locals and law enforcement remain cautiously vigilant, hoping for a swift resolution to the situation.
image source from：https://www.npr.org/2025/05/28/nx-s1-5414008/arkansas-prison-escape-disguised-prison-guard
