SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — WAND News has learned new information about the employment record of a former Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy charged in the shooting of Sonya Massey.
Sean P. Grayson served in the US Army as a mechanic for two years, but was discharged in 2016 for a serious offense of misconduct. A statement from Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell said that his office "understood that the serious misconduct referenced in these documents was a DUI. We were aware of the DUI at the time of hire."
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.
Through a Freedom of Information request, WAND News found records showing he left the previous departments because he was searching for full-time employment.
Before being hired full-time at Sangamon County in May 2023, Grayson was a full-time officer for the Auburn Police Department and Logan County Sheriff's Office.
In one document, Grayson admitted to being arrested previously for a DUI. Court records show he was arrested in 2015 and 2016 on separate incidents.
Sheriff Jack Campbell gave WAND a statement saying, "The Sheriff's office had a copy of Deputy Grayson's Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty which states that Grayson was given a general honorable discharge from the military. We also had a letter from Grayson's commanding officer attached with our response. The Sheriff's Office understood that the serious misconduct referenced in these documents was a DUI. We were aware of the DUI at the time of hire."
Documents also show Grayson was disciplined for an incident in September of 2022 while working for the Logan County Sheriff's Office. Grayson was driving 110 MPH after his superior had called off a chase for a suspect, eventually hitting a deer and damaging a police cruiser.
Chief Deputy Nathan Miller said in his report following the incident Grayson needed "high-stress decision making" classes, among other training.
His job with Sangamon County was terminated last week when a grand jury indicted him on three counts of first-degree murder and other charges in the shooting of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old Springfield woman who was shot after making a 911 call.
Grayson has pleaded not guilty.
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