Grant Hardin, a former Arkansas police chief convicted of murder and rape, vanished from a state prison under alarming circumstances. Details surrounding his escape are raising new questions about security at the North Central Unit in Calico Rock.
According to KATV, Hardin escaped custody around 3:40 p.m. on Sunday, setting off a statewide manhunt and sparking concern among local and state law enforcement officials. Police are now urging anyone with information on Hardin’s location to contact authorities immediately.
Hardin’s escape has shocked Arkansas communities, especially given his criminal record and law enforcement background. He is serving lengthy sentences for both first-degree murder and the 1997 rape of a Rogers elementary school teacher. Officials say he was wearing a makeshift outfit meant to mimic law enforcement when he fled, and he was not in a Department of Corrections uniform at the time.
Security failures spark investigation
Law enforcement agencies across Arkansas are now working together to track down Hardin. Known for his brief tenure as Gateway’s police chief in 2016, Hardin has become a symbol of a system under scrutiny. Citizens and critics alike are questioning how a high-profile inmate was able to escape, particularly while wearing a disguise that could help him evade capture.
The Arkansas State Police (ASP), Division of Corrections, and Division of Community Corrections are all following leads as the search intensifies. No DOC-issued equipment is missing, suggesting Hardin did not have institutional help from inside. Still, his ability to create a convincing police-like disguise is troubling to both citizens and corrections officers.
Many residents in Calico Rock and the surrounding area are expressing fear and frustration at the situation. Some believe the escape points to broader issues in the Arkansas corrections system. Others argue that no system is perfect and that determined individuals may always find ways to exploit vulnerabilities, no matter the safeguards in place.
Victim’s family haunted again
Hardin’s crimes have left deep scars on the families involved. In 2017, Hardin pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder of James Appleton, who was shot in the head while talking to his brother-in-law, then-Gateway Mayor Andrew Tillman. Appleton’s body was found inside a car, a scene that shocked the quiet community near Garfield.
The murder conviction followed Hardin’s earlier sentence for the 1997 rape of a teacher in Rogers, north of Fayetteville. With a combined sentence totaling 80 years, few expected Hardin would ever be free again. His escape has reopened old wounds for the victims’ families, many of whom are now reliving the trauma and uncertainty they once faced.
As law enforcement agencies ramp up their search, calls are growing for more transparency about exactly how Hardin managed his escape. Community members want to know what steps are being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. The families affected by Hardin’s crimes are watching closely, hoping for swift justice and a safe resolution.
Public urged to stay vigilant
Authorities caution that Hardin may try to use his law enforcement disguise to move undetected. ASP has asked anyone who sees suspicious activity or believes they have spotted Hardin to contact police without delay. Residents are being told not to approach him, as he is considered dangerous.
Corrections officials emphasize that all DOC-issued gear is accounted for, and there is no sign that Hardin has access to weapons from inside the facility. However, his background as a former police chief means he may be familiar with law enforcement tactics, making the search even more urgent and complicated.
The escape has prompted renewed debate over prison security protocols, especially for inmates with law enforcement backgrounds. Some argue that former officers should be housed separately or monitored more closely. Others insist that this event, though serious, does not reflect widespread failure within Arkansas corrections.
Search for Hardin intensifies
The statewide manhunt for Grant Hardin continues, with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies pooling their resources. Hardin, a former Gateway police chief, is serving decades-long sentences for both murder and rape. He escaped from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock on Sunday afternoon, reportedly wearing a homemade law enforcement-style uniform.
Officials say Hardin’s escape is an ongoing incident, and more information will be released as it becomes available. The Arkansas State Police and corrections officials are following every lead as they try to locate and apprehend Hardin before he can cause further harm.
Anyone with information about Hardin’s whereabouts is urged to contact law enforcement immediately and not engage with the fugitive.
