Former Police Chief and convicted killer Grant Hardin, known as the “Devil in the Ozarks,” was captured just 1.5 miles from the Arkansas prison he escaped, ending a 12-day manhunt.
At a Glance
- Grant Hardin escaped Calico Rock prison on May 25, 2025, by impersonating a corrections officer
- He was recaptured on June 6, 2025, approximately 1.5 miles from the prison in Izard County, Arkansas
- Hardin was serving 80 years for the 1997 rape of a teacher and the 2017 murder of James Appleton
- The manhunt involved drones, bloodhounds, horseback officers, and the elite Border Patrol Tactical Team (BORTAC)
- Authorities confirmed his identity through fingerprint analysis upon arrest
The Escape and Manhunt
On May 25, 2025, Grant Hardin escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, Arkansas, by impersonating a corrections officer. Disguised in a makeshift uniform, he convinced a guard to release him through a secure gate—an escape that triggered national attention and immediate security concerns.
The ensuing manhunt grew into a massive, multi-agency operation. Local law enforcement joined forces with federal agents and Border Patrol Tactical Team (BORTAC) operatives, utilizing bloodhounds, drones, helicopters, and mounted patrols across the dense Ozark Mountains.
Despite setbacks, including flooding rains that washed out tracking trails, Hardin was finally apprehended on June 6—just 1.5 miles from the prison. His identity was confirmed via fingerprint analysis, ending nearly two weeks of fear and uncertainty in the region.
Watch a report: Escaped former Police Chief known as the “Devil in the Ozarks” caught.
Criminal Background
Grant Hardin, once the police chief of Gateway, Arkansas, was convicted in 2017 for the premeditated murder of James Appleton, a city water worker. For this crime, he received a 30-year sentence.
In 2018, DNA evidence from a cold case linked Hardin to the 1997 rape of a Rogers schoolteacher, adding another 50 years to his term. Prosecutors described his history as “a horrific pattern of violence and deception,” leading to widespread media coverage and his portrayal in a true crime series titled Devil in the Ozarks.
Despite his background, Hardin had worked in multiple law enforcement roles across Arkansas, slipping through background checks that failed to catch prior misconduct allegations.
Aftermath and Internal Fallout
Hardin’s escape has prompted a sweeping internal investigation into prison procedures. Arkansas corrections officials admitted that multiple security lapses enabled his exit, including the failure to confirm officer credentials at the gate.
The Arkansas Department of Corrections has vowed immediate reforms, including updated training, revised exit protocols, and stricter staff accountability measures. Additional criminal charges related to Hardin’s escape are expected, and he has been transferred to a high-security unit pending further legal proceedings.
For the residents of Izard County and the victims’ families, Hardin’s recapture marks the end of a nightmare—but the broader question of how a man with his record rose through the ranks of law enforcement remains unanswered.
