Convicted murderer and rapist Grant Hardin, who escaped Arkansas prison in a fake police uniform, was captured just 1.5 miles from the facility after a two-week manhunt.
Grant Hardin, the former Arkansas police chief convicted of both rape and murder—and infamously dubbed the “Devil in the Ozarks”—was captured on Friday, June 6, just 1.5 miles from the Calico Rock North Central Unit where he had been incarcerated. The fugitive had been on the run for 13 days after a bold prison escape.
The Izard County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) confirmed his arrest via a public Facebook statement, announcing that Hardin’s identity had been conclusively verified through fingerprinting.
“We sincerely appreciate the continued support of the community for all law enforcement and Department of Corrections personnel involved in this operation,” read the statement from ICSO.
Hardin, who was imprisoned since 2017 for the cold-blooded murder of James Appleton, a city water department employee in Gateway, Arkansas, reportedly managed to escape while disguised in “a makeshift outfit designed to mimic law enforcement,” according to the Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC).
Officials confirmed that Hardin did not possess a Department of Corrections (DOC) uniform or equipment during his escape, all of which had been accounted for. His impersonation of an officer was apparently convincing enough that a prison guard, stationed in a tower, opened a secure gate, allowing him to walk free.
“A lapse” in protocol, said Rand Champion, spokesperson for the Arkansas prison system, acknowledging that Hardin’s credentials were not properly verified. An investigation into the breach is ongoing.
Hardin’s crimes had already painted him as one of Arkansas’ most reviled figures. Once the police chief of Gateway, Hardin pleaded guilty in 2017 to the murder of 59-year-old James Appleton, shooting him through a car window while the victim was on the phone. The motive remains unknown, but the cold and calculated nature of the crime shocked the community.
While serving a 30-year sentence for that murder, Hardin was also convicted in 2020 of a 1997 rape, a cold case that had haunted the city of Rogers for over two decades. DNA recovered from the victim’s clothing ultimately linked him to the crime.
In that case, Hardin had pointed a gun at the elementary school teacher after she exited a restroom, then violently assaulted her. He was sentenced to 50 years for the rape, adding to his already lengthy imprisonment.
News of his escape in late May had triggered an intensive multi-agency manhunt across northern Arkansas, bringing together local sheriffs, state police, and corrections officials. For nearly two weeks, citizens were on high alert, fearing what a man with his violent past might do if cornered.
Lindsay Wallace, Secretary of Corrections, expressed relief and gratitude upon his recapture:
“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.”
She added, “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.”
Though now back in custody, questions remain about how Hardin managed to orchestrate such a deceptive escape and who, if anyone, might have assisted or overlooked warning signs. A full internal review of security procedures is expected in the coming weeks.