Ex-deputy who shot Sonya Massey needed 'more training' according to multiple sources in personnel file

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Sangamon County Sheriff's Office has released the file of Sean Grayson, the former deputy who was charged with the murder of Sonya Massey during a 911 call.

Sheriff Jack Campbell said the release was done as part of a commitment to transparency and accountability.

Documents in the file include Grayson's application to the department, references from law enforcement agencies, and results from a psychological assessment.

In a report compiled by SCSO's Division of Professional Standards, a coworker from the Logan County Sheriff's Office and Auburn Police Chief Campbell both noted that Grayson needed more training. Chief Snodgrass of the Virden Police Department said that Grayson "did not demonstrate good officer safety skills" during his short time with the department.

In a statement released with the records, Sheriff Campbell said that the comments about Grayson needing more training were "not unusual for deputies with Grayson’s experience, and is standard procedure for Sangamon County deputies. Grayson was subsequently sent to a 16-week academy training, a requirement for all new and lateral transfer deputies in our office."

The state's law enforcement training and standards board (ILETSB) shows Grayson worked for six different departments over four years. He held part-time positions with the Pawnee, Kincaid, and Virden departments and full-time positions with the Auburn Police Department, Logan County Sheriff's Office, and Sangamon County Sheriff's Office.