Escaped Arkansas inmate started tumultuous law enforcement career in Fayetteville
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The search continues for Grant Hardin, a former police chief and convicted murderer and rapist, who got his start in law enforcement in Washington County.
KNWA/FOX24 received a nearly 200-page personnel file about Hardin from the Fayetteville Police Department, where he worked from August 6, 1990, to May 22, 1991.
The file starts by showing Hardin's original application to the Fayetteville Police Department.
The application shows Hardin got a normal start here in Northwest Arkansas, attending Pea Ridge High School in 1981, where he was an exemplary student who was involved in multiple clubs, including National Honor Society, student council and ROTC.
The application for that police job asks about his hobbies, where Hardin handwrites that he enjoyed things like hunting, weightlifting and basketball.
A later page shows his apparent desire to become a police officer, where Hardin writes, 'I have finally reached the age to where I can apply for a law enforcement position, and I feel that the responsibility of protecting the public is one I am willing to take on.'
The application asks his thoughts on deadly force, to which he writes that it is 'a last resort, but should be used if absolutely necessary.'
A common part of the application process to become a police officer is finding character references and in the file, Hardin has multiple references.
Hardin used pastors, family friends and Sunday school teachers as references.
Arkansas escapee has extensive history in Northwest Arkansas law enforcement
References described Hardin as an honest Christian boy who held all of the right qualities to make a good officer.
Another reference from an apparent church friend said he would 'trust Hardin with anything' and that they had 'never seen him mad.'
His pastor, saying Hardin was 'kind and courteous,' who was 'not drawn by the crowd,' and that he would 'hire him in a minute.'
His former Sunday school teacher said, 'I'm retired now, but he still takes the time to come visit me.'
The rest of the file details his experiences during his field training, where officers say that Hardin failed to improve as a patrolman.
Later on in the file is his termination letter from the Fayetteville Police Department.
The then-chief stated that his efforts fell short of the average probationary officer and that he had a hard time accepting criticisms.
That letter marked the beginning of a tumultuous career in law enforcement.
Click here for more information on Hardin's law enforcement history, including his time as police chief in Gateway.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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