Two inmates, Timothy Kyle Sawyer, 29, and William Messer, 34, escaped from the Franklin County Jail Thursday at approximately 9:40 a.m. – but they weren’t gone long.

Sheriff’s investigators reported Sawyer and Messer were trustees, and they were cleaning some equipment. In the course of their work, they found an opportunity and took off running across a cow pasture south of the sheriff’s office.

FCSO agents outside reportedly saw the inmates run towards the fence, and they immediately notified the sheriff’s office. Authorities immediately began a search to recover Sawyer and Messer, according to investigators.

The escapees were quickly spotted, investigators said, and several deputies and investigators, as well as numerous ALEA agents – who were on site assisting with other investigations – activated to create a perimeter and box them in.

Three helicopters were in the air with 10 minutes of the escape being reported. The Russellville Police Department and Franklin County K9 units also assisted in the search.

In all, about 45 people responded to aid in recapturing the inmates, according to the FCSO.

Sheriff’s investigators reported the two were discovered hiding in a creek bed next to the rock quarry by MS Industries. They were apprehended by 1:45 p.m. and returned to custody at the Franklin County Jail.

FCSO investigators said the Franklin County Jail wishes to extend its appreciation for all of the assistance from surrounding agencies as well as the public.