The Capture of the 'Devil in the Ozarks': Former Police Chief and Convicted Killer Apprehended After Prison Escape
A former police chief and convicted killer known as the “Devil in the Ozarks” was apprehended by law enforcement officers 1.5 miles northwest of the prison he had escaped from after a lengthy manhunt in the rugged mountains of northern Arkansas. Grant Hardin, the former police chief of Gateway, was serving time for murder and rape, and his story was featured in a TV documentary titled “Devil in the Ozarks.” Hardin was captured after attempting to flee from officers but was quickly subdued and identified through fingerprinting.
Hardin, who had been on the run for over a week, will undergo medical checks for dehydration and other issues. Law enforcement officials are eager to question him about his escape. Hardin had been imprisoned for first-degree murder and managed to impersonate a corrections officer to leave the facility. The lack of identity verification during his escape is currently under investigation.
Search teams utilized various resources, including bloodhounds, drones, and helicopters, to track down Hardin since his escape on May 25. Despite initial tracking efforts being hampered by heavy rains, an elite U.S. Border Patrol team eventually located and apprehended Hardin in the challenging terrain of the Ozarks. Hardin had previously pleaded guilty to murder and was also linked to a rape case from 1997.
Cheryl Tillman, the sister of Hardin’s murder victim, expressed relief upon hearing of his capture, emphasizing the impact his escape had on her family and community. Hardin's troubled history as a law enforcement officer in multiple Arkansas communities was highlighted, with instances of misconduct and excessive force leading to his dismissal from various positions. The capture of Hardin brought closure to those affected by his crimes and reign of terror in the Ozarks.