Key Points: Disgraced Former Police Chief

• Authorities report that the disgraced former police chief, Grant Hardin, escaped from North Central Unit in Calico Rock, Arkansas.
• After his 2017 conviction for the murder of city worker James Appleton, the disgraced former police chief began serving a 30-year sentence.
• DNA evidence later connected the disgraced former police chief to a 1997 rape case involving a school teacher in Rogers.
• Following both cases, the disgraced former police chief entered guilty pleas and received additional prison time.
• Because of the escape, law enforcement has launched a statewide manhunt to locate the disgraced former police chief.
• He is described as a 6-foot-tall, 259-pound white male; officials emphasize that the disgraced former police chief poses a serious threat.
• So far, investigators have not explained how the disgraced former police chief managed to flee the prison facility.

Disgraced Former Police Chief Sparks Statewide Manhun

A convicted killer is on the run.

On Sunday afternoon, Grant Hardin, a disgraced former police chief, broke free from the North Central Unit in Calico Rock, Arkansas. Prison officials confirmed the escape, triggering a rapid and ongoing manhunt across the state.

Law enforcement agencies are urging the public not to approach him under any circumstances.

From Law Enforcement to Cold-Blooded Killer

Hardin, once Gateway’s top cop, now wears the label of convicted murderer.

In 2017, authorities found city employee James Appleton dead in his work truck. A gunshot wound to the face left no doubt—it was a brutal execution. Later, Hardin pleaded guilty to the crime and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

That would have been enough to end most stories. But this one got darker.

Cold Case Breakthrough Ties Him to Another Crime

During prison intake, officials collected Hardin’s DNA and submitted it to a federal database.

What they discovered next stunned investigators.

That DNA matched a 1997 rape case that had gone cold for over two decades. The victim, Amy Harrison, was a schoolteacher working late at Frank Tillery Elementary in Rogers. A masked man with a gun assaulted her inside her classroom.

Now, thanks to that DNA match, police finally knew the attacker’s name.

He Confessed Again—But Didn’t Stop There

In 2019, Hardin confessed to the rape. Prosecutors added more prison time to his sentence.

Nathan Smith, who served as Benton County prosecutor, spoke openly about the danger Hardin poses. “He doesn’t look dangerous at first glance,” Smith said. “But he’s capable of horrific, calculated violence.”

This wasn’t a man losing control. This was someone who planned every move.

Escape Shakes Public Confidence

Now, that same man is out again.

Residents in Arkansas are demanding answers. Many want to know how a disgraced former police chief—convicted of both murder and rape—could escape a supposedly secure facility.

This isn’t the first time Arkansas has faced scrutiny over prison security. Just days earlier, four people in New Orleans were arrested for helping inmates escape. The timing raises concerns about larger systemic failures.

Where Is He Now?

As of now, Hardin’s location remains unknown.

Law enforcement describes him as a white male, 6 feet tall, and weighing around 259 pounds. He may attempt to blend in, which makes him even more dangerous.

He’s not just familiar with law enforcement methods—he helped create them.

Authorities Urge Public to Remain Vigilant

Because of the risk, the Arkansas Department of Corrections is working with state and federal agencies to track him down.

“If you see him, don’t engage,” one official warned. “Call 911. Let trained personnel handle the situation.”

Despite the urgency, officials have not released specifics about how Hardin managed to escape. That silence is frustrating families and community members alike.

Victims Relive Trauma as Manhunt Grows

For Amy Harrison, the teacher assaulted in 1997, the escape reopens old wounds.

“I finally felt safe knowing he was behind bars,” she said in a statement. “Now, that safety is gone.”

Harrison isn’t alone. Across Arkansas, fear is spreading—especially among those who once knew or worked with Hardin.

This isn’t just a manhunt. For many, it feels like justice has been put on hold.

Community Reaction: From Outrage to Fear

The public response has been intense. Gateway residents, once proud of their police chief, now express outrage.

“He broke every oath he ever took,” said one former colleague. “Now he’s doing it again.”

Teachers, public workers, and law enforcement families are taking precautions. Schools have tightened security. Some towns have even requested additional patrols.

Until Hardin is found, there is no relief.