After executing a daring prison break, a pack of vicious criminals drag their hostage, the wife (Kim Delaney) of Sheriff Ike Slayton (Brad Davis), across the United States border into Mexico. There, they hastily lay siege to a small town, drawing the attention of the National Guard. Determined to get his wife back safely, Sheriff Slayton mounts his own rescue plan because he distrusts the gruff Col. Johnson (Jan-Michael Vincent), who seems more concerned with retribution than with recovery.