RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN – A man who walked away from a Correctional Work Center detail was captured just before nightfall Monday after an intense multi-agency search. Joseph Beard, a trustee assigned to a trash pickup crew, reportedly escaped around 2:40 p.m. Monday while working along John Bragg Highway. The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office (RCSO) quickly launched a full-scale manhunt involving deputies, K9 units, drones, and a Tennessee Highway Patrol helicopter.

The search centered around a dense, wooded area near the highway, where Sheriff’s deputies and multiple K9 teams tracked Beard’s movements. Drones from both the Sheriff’s Office and Storm Point provided aerial support, while deputies maintained a perimeter on the ground.

After several hours of coordinated efforts, Beard was taken into custody just before dark.

He is now being held at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center and is expected to face charges of escape.

No injuries were reported during the search and apprehension.

MORE DETAILS RELEASED BY THE RCSO: Suspected escapee Joseph Beard is taken into custody by Rutherford County Sheriff's deputies just before dark Monday.

Beard walked away from a Correctional Work Center work detail picking up trash about 2:40 p.m. Monday on John Bragg Highway.

Rutherford County Sheriff’s Lt. Derek Oeser said there is no longer any threat to Readyville residents.

Beard is expected to be charged with escape. He is being detained in the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center.

Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office thanks Tennessee Highway Patrol, Cannon County Sheriff’s Department and Murfreesboro Police Department for their assistance and the sheriff’s team of deputies.

DISCLAIMER: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The arrest records or information about an arrest that are published or reported on NewsRadio WGNS and www.WGNSradio.com are not an indication of guilt or evidence that an actual crime has been committed.

PREVIOUS REPORT: MURFREESBORO, Tenn (WGNS) - The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office reports that inmate Joseph Beard, 43, of Dickson apparently escaped from a work detail about 3:31 p.m. Monday afternoon in the 8800-block of John Bragg Highway.

If you see him, please call 911 immediately. Do not approach him. Keep home and vehicles locked.

Capt. Jason Smitty of the Correctional Work Center said Beard was picking up trash when he walked away from the work crew.

Beard was serving time for violation of probation and was supposed to be released Aug. 24.

Sheriff’s deputies are searching with K9 and drones in the Readyville area.

Expect slow traffic in the area. The Tennessee Highway Patrol’s helicopter crew is assisting. Murfreesboro Police and other law enforcement agencies are assisting.

DISCLAIMER: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The arrest records or information about an arrest that are published or reported on NewsRadio WGNS and www.WGNSradio.com are not an indication of guilt or evidence that an actual crime has been committed.