Wednesday, December 11, 2024
The Hood County community is mourning the loss of a dedicated public servant and respected community leader.
William “Allen” Hardin — known for his service as Hood County sheriff and his longtime dedication to the Granbury Volunteer Fire Department — passed away Sept. 29, at the age of 81.
Born Nov. 15, 1942 in San Angelo, Hardin’s journey of service began early in life when he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served in active duty and was later honorably discharged from the inactive reserve in 1968.
His law enforcement career began in 1965 as an assistant city marshal in Hico. In 1967, he became a game warden cadet and relocated to Granbury in February 1968. In Granbury, he worked as a game warden until April 1979, when he transitioned to a lake ranger role with the Brazos River Authority. In June 1990, he took on the position of bailiff for the 355th District Court and later served as constable for precincts 3 and 4 from Jan. 1, 1993, to Dec. 31, 1996.
Hardin wore many hats throughout his life — but while Hardin’s legacy spans decades of service in law enforcement and local government, he was mostly known around the community for his seven-year stint as the Hood County sheriff from 1997 through 2004.
“He was a person that wanted to always help his community,” said City Fire Marshal Kevin Jones, who first met Hardin in 1989. “He wanted to help citizens where he lived. I mean, being in that much of a public service type element.”
According to Hardin’s obituary — which he wrote himself — he made history as the first Republican sheriff in Hood County since the Reconstruction era of the 1870s. He was also notable for being the last sheriff of the old millennium and the first of the new millennium to reside in the jail, as was traditionally expected of sheriffs.
According to a political ad in the March 11, 2000 edition of the Hood County News, Hardin's first term as sheriff brought about significant advancements. He highlighted in the ad that the Hood County Sheriff’s Office increased the number of inmates working on county roads and buildings. To streamline operations, he also hired a businessperson as a jail administrator, which, the ad states, resulted in cost savings for taxpayers.
In the ad, Hardin claimed to have solved more crimes than any previous sheriff, despite handling nearly triple the calls for service since taking office and only employing eight additional deputies. He also played a crucial role in enhancing the communication system of the Hood County Sheriff's Office — an accomplishment that Jones corroborates.
“It was hard for him and his staff back when he became sheriff, because budgets weren't as big as they are today,” Jones explained. “But he was always willing to do something ... What comes to mind is that at one time, they couldn't afford the video systems that they have today in police cars, so he came up with an idea that he would just buy little video cameras and put them in patrol cars. He gave it a shot to see how it would work.”
Jones explained that Hardin was always seeking ways to improve resources for his team. He stated that Hardin consistently looked for better equipment, like rifles, to ensure that members of the HCSO were always prepared for any challenges that might come their way.
According to Jones, Hardin also facilitated the acquisition of military surplus rifles for the department, as he realized traditional shotguns were no longer sufficient as threats were becoming more sophisticated at that time.
"He was a sheriff that would deal with problems until his fullest extent,” Jones said, as he emphasized Hardin’s strong advocacy for drug removal in the county.
Jones also pointed out that Hardin was a member of the Tri-County Task Force, working alongside current Sheriff Roger Deeds to combat drug-related activity.
Under Hardin’s leadership, the Hood County Sheriff’s Office also achieved the largest seizure of stolen property in Texas history.
Jones explained that the stolen property involved heavy equipment, noting that the HCSO eventually located a ranch in Hood County that contained some of the stolen items. Jones explained that the theft ring was so sophisticated that a massive barn was designed to conceal the stolen goods. He said the barn appeared to be filled with hay bales but actually had hidden doors that led to an expansive space filled with the stolen equipment.
"It was a big conglomerate theft ring,” he added.
After his tenure as Hood County Sheriff, Hardin held a commission as a fire marshal until December 2007. Later that month, he began working as an environmental crimes' investigator for the health department, with his law enforcement commission managed by the district attorney. He officially relinquished his commission in 2018, marking his retirement from active law enforcement.
Hardin also served on the Granbury City Council for two terms and was also a member of the GFVD for 28 years, serving as chief for one year. He was one of the organizers of the Hood County Volunteer Rescue Unit and was elected its first interim president. Hardin served as vice president of the Metroplex Locksmith Association for one year and was an active member of American Legion Post 278 in Granbury, as well as the Hood County Amateur Radio Club. He was also one of the organizers of the first Lutheran church in Hood County and held the position of elder at the First Presbyterian Church in Granbury.
Jones said when he first met Hardin, his first impression was that he was “kind of a serious but funny” guy, who was always eager to get tasks accomplished.
“He’d say, ‘Let’s just get it done; don’t waste time,’” Jones said. “He was a funny guy. Sometimes he'd call me to do just off-the-wall type things.”
For a sheriff, Jones added that Hardin also drove a peculiar type of vehicle — an Astro minivan to be specific.
“Allen was a different type of person,” he added. “But if you ever needed him, you could count on him being there for sure.”
