A convicted murderer and rapist who once served as an Arkansas police chief has escaped from a high-security prison, sparking an urgent manhunt and raising serious questions about prison security protocols.

At a Glance

• Grant Hardin, former Gateway police chief, escaped from Calico Rock North Central Unit on Sunday afternoon while wearing a fake law enforcement uniform
• Hardin is serving a 30-year sentence for first-degree murder and a 50-year sentence for rape
• Security footage shows Hardin escaping through a controlled gate with a cart of utility materials
• Authorities consider Hardin extremely dangerous and urge the public to contact law enforcement immediately with any information
• Hardin’s law enforcement career was marked by multiple terminations and misconduct allegations

Prison Break Details Emerge

Grant Hardin, a former Arkansas police chief serving lengthy sentences for murder and rape, escaped from the Calico Rock North Central Unit around 2:50 p.m. on Sunday. Officials report Hardin was not wearing standard prison attire during his escape but instead donned a fabricated outfit resembling a law enforcement uniform. The Arkansas Department of Corrections confirmed that all DOC-issued equipment has been accounted for, suggesting Hardin somehow acquired or created the disguise while incarcerated.

Security footage captured by the Stone County Sheriff’s Office shows Hardin passing through a controlled gate while pushing a cart loaded with utility materials. This method of escape raises significant concerns about security protocols at the high-security facility. Multiple law enforcement agencies have joined forces to locate Hardin, who is considered extremely dangerous given his violent criminal history and former knowledge of police procedures.

A former police chief who was convicted of rape and murder escaped from the prison where he was serving a 30-year sentence on Sunday, correction officials said. https://t.co/9VVID4aaed

— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 26, 2025

Hardin’s Criminal History and Law Enforcement Past

Before his incarceration, Hardin briefly served as the police chief of Gateway, Arkansas, for approximately four months in 2016. His law enforcement career, spanning since the 1990s, included various positions throughout Arkansas. However, this career was plagued by troubling patterns of misconduct. Records indicate Hardin faced multiple terminations from law enforcement roles due to excessive force, poor performance, and falsifying a police report—early warning signs that the system failed to properly address.

In 2017, Hardin’s criminal activities caught up with him when he was arrested for the first-degree murder of James Appleton, who was shot at point-blank range with a shotgun while sitting in his car. Hardin pleaded guilty to this crime and received a 30-year sentence. DNA evidence later connected him to the 1997 rape of an elementary school teacher, resulting in an additional 50-year sentence. These convictions revealed a disturbing double life behind his law enforcement badge.

“Anyone with information about inmate Hardin’s whereabouts should contact local law enforcement immediately,” Arkansas Department of Corrections (DOC) said in a press release Sunday.”

Ongoing Manhunt and Public Safety Concerns

Law enforcement officials have established a perimeter around the northern Arkansas region where Hardin escaped. The manhunt involves local police departments, the Arkansas State Police, and federal agencies. Hardin’s background in law enforcement presents unique challenges for authorities, as he possesses intimate knowledge of police tactics and procedures. This expertise potentially gives him advantages in evading capture that the average escaped prisoner would not have.

A former police chief serving a 30-year sentence for first degree murder, rape, has escaped from the North Central Unit in Izard County, said Arkansas Department of Corrections. https://t.co/W0jkTVkDtB

— KY3 News (@kytv) May 25, 2025

The Arkansas Department of Corrections has issued urgent warnings to the public about Hardin’s dangerous nature. Residents in the surrounding areas have been advised to remain vigilant, secure their homes, and report any suspicious activities immediately. The DOC has also established a dedicated hotline for tips regarding Hardin’s whereabouts. Authorities are particularly concerned about Hardin’s potential to impersonate law enforcement officials, given the nature of his escape disguise.

This escape highlights troubling gaps in our prison security systems, especially concerning the supervision of former law enforcement officers serving time for violent crimes. Questions remain about how Hardin obtained materials to create a convincing uniform and how he managed to pass through security checkpoints undetected. These security failures demand immediate investigation and system-wide reforms to prevent similar incidents that put public safety at risk.