Sangamon County, Illinois sheriff says his department failed Sonya Massey
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) — Sangamon County, Illinois Sheriff Jack Campbell said he does not plan to step down over the shooting by now-former Deputy Sean Grayson that killed 36-year-old Sonya Massey near Springfield earlier this month.
But Campbell did say at a listening session Monday night that his department failed Massey.
"She called for help, and we failed her," Campbell said. "That's all she did. That's all she did was call for help."
Along with the U.S. Department of Justice, the mayor of Springfield and the U.S. Attorney's Office were present for the listening session. At the event, Campbell said his department did not do their jobs the night Massey was shot and killed by Grayson.
"I asked for forgiveness," Campbell said. "We will never know why he did what he did."
Massey's family continues to seek answers following the release of bodycam footage one week ago. Grayson had been one of two Sangamon County Sheriff's deputies to respond to Massey's house when she called 911 to report a prowler.
The footage showed Grayson shot Massey in the head as she crouched down in her kitchen—after he ordered her to drop a pot of water that had been on the stove.
Grayson was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. He has pleaded not guilty.
"We do that by prosecuting cases in Sangamon County without fear or favor," said Sangamon County State's Attorney John Milhiser.
Grayson was working for his sixth police department since 2020 when he shot and killed Massey.
"I don't know how you hired a volcano," a speaker said at the meeting Monday night.
Grayson's turbulent career started when he was discharged from the U.S. Army for misconduct. Then, two years before shooting and killing Massey, Grayson was reprimanded for putting false information in his police reports while with the Logan County Sheriff's Department.
A specific incident in which Grayson is accused of having trouble obeying orders also happened during his time with Logan County Sheriff's office—where he worked from May 2022 to April 2023. Grayson refused an order by a superior to terminate a high-speed chase on Illinois 121 over a traffic infraction, in which his speed at times reached 110 mph.
Grayson told his superiors he was about to terminate the pursuit. But he did not stop. He did, however, turn his lights and siren off—while keeping going anyway until he hit a deer.
Records obtained by CBS News also show Grayson's disciplinary file included accusations of bullying behavior and abuse of power.
The union representing Sangamon County Sheriff's deputies is asking that former Deputy Grayson be reinstated and reimbursed for any lost wages. Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher was asked what message such a call from the union might send.
"So I am a pro-union mayor, first of all," Buscher said, "but that union I would not agree with—and I would fight them to the finish."
Sheriff Campbell declined to answer CBS News Chicago's questions on camera.
A rally is expected on Tuesday in Chicago, and the Massey family is expected to attend.