Amid pressure from community activists, politicians, Sheriff Campbell announces retirement

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell has announced his retirement following calls from community activists and politicians to resign.

The calls for resignation stem from the fatal shooting of Springfield woman Sonya Massey by Sangamon deputy Sean Grayson during a 911 call. Grayson's hiring has been under scrutiny since the shooting. WAND News obtained documents from his personnel file that said he needed "more training" and "did not demonstrate good officer safety skills" during his time at a previous department.

Grayson has remained in custody at the Menard County Jail since his arrest on July 17. His legal team filed a motion to allow him pre-trial release, but this was denied by Judge Ryan Cadagin on Friday.

Governor J.B. Pritzker called for Campbell's resignation at two different speaking events on Wednesday, saying "it's time for him to go."

Campbell had previously maintained that he would not resign and that he planned on upholding his responsibility as sheriff during "this difficult time."

In Friday's statement, the sheriff said the "current political climate has made it nearly impossible" for him to continue effectively in his role and that some individuals would rather see the community divided and in turmoil.

A spokesperson for Pritzker's office told WAND News, "The Governor hopes a fresh start with new leadership will usher in a new era of reform and rebuild the trust lost between the Sangamon County community and the Sheriff’s Office."

Sangamon County Board Member Sam Cahnman said that he thought Campbell was doing the right thing by retiring, but that the entire hiring process at the sheriff's office should be revamped. "We should also look at other law enforcement hiring processes, and adopt the best practices from across the country," stated Cahnman

Campbell's statement can be read in full below:

"I was first elected Sheriff in 2018. I embraced that role, to lead SCSO, but I always saw myself as a cop, not a politician. And for over thirty years, my career has been dedicated to improving and protecting our community. As Sheriff, I have committed my life to advancing our capabilities and effectiveness, implementing new policies and practices to ensure we serve the community with the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. All this was done with the idea of creating a safer Sangamon County.

"The tragic death of Sonya Massey has been a heartbreaking event for our community. My deepest condolences go out to her family and friends. Since the incident, I have been proactive and transparent, working tirelessly to present all of the facts to the public. I have committed to making changes to our standards and collaborating with other units of government on ways to prevent incidents like this in the future. The one person truly responsible for this act is in jail, and I believe justice will be served through the legal process.

"Despite these efforts, some in our community want me to pay the price for that person’s actions, even threatening that I pay that price with my life, my family's lives, or the lives of my Deputies. We will only persevere together as a community if we turn down the temperature and resolve to do better. We must honor the life of Sonya Massey by ensuring that no one else falls victim to such tragic and senseless action. That has been my sincere mission since that fateful day. But it has become clear that the current political climate has made it nearly impossible for me to continue effectively in my role. Some individuals would rather see our community divided and in turmoil, than allow me to continue serving as Sheriff. The health of me and my family, the Sheriff’s Office, and our community has to be my priority.

"As elected leaders, we must always put the overall good of the community above ourselves; and I will not risk the community that I swore to protect. For this reason, I am announcing my retirement as Sheriff of Sangamon County, effective no later than August 31st.

"While it is painful to say goodbye, I do so knowing I have fulfilled my duties and served to the best of my ability. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the citizens who have supported me throughout the years. I am forever grateful for the opportunity I had, for the people I met and for this Office that I love."