SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell said he was shocked when he saw the police body camera video of Sonya Massey being killed by one of his now former deputies.
Massey called police on July 6 to report a possible prowler near or at her Springfield home. While investigating, former deputy Sean Grayson ordered Massey to move a pot of water heating on the stove. Grayson then yelled at Massey over the pot and pulled his 9 mm pistol. Massey put her hands in the air, declared “I'm sorry” and ducked for cover before being shot in the face.
Campbell, first elected Sangamon Co. Sheriff in 2018, said Grayson "snapped," and his behavior was an "anomaly."
"We have a job to do," Campbell said. "And he failed. He snapped. And I don't know why. And I'm furious, and I'm hurt by it all."
Campbell said Grayson did not do the job he was trained to do.
Grayson's personnel file showed he lacked training at previous law enforcement jobs. His application included notes from the Sangamon Co. Sheriff's Office Division of Professional Standards which detailed notes from Grayson's previous employers.
The Logan Co. Sheriff's Office said Grayson was a good deputy but needed more "extensive training." Auburn Police Chief Dave Campbell said Grayson needed to improve his report writing and documentation. The chief said he would rehire Grayson but thought he needed more training.
Virden's police chief said Grayson "did not demonstrate good officer safety skills," but the chief believed it was because he lacked experience.
Grayson was put through a 16 week training academy by Sangamon County.
"He had no use of force problems anyplace," Campbell said. "He had good recommendations from people in law enforcement." Campbell said investigators have not found any reason to justify why Grayson shot Massey.
A grand jury indicted Grayson, who pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct.
On Monday, Sheriff Campbell spoke to the public for the first time since Massey's murder. A crowd of around 500 people gathered at Union Baptist Church for a meeting put together by the Community Relations Service of the U.S. Department of Justice.
At the event, Campbell asked the community for forgiveness but said that he had no plans on resigning from his post. Campbell reiterated Thursday he does not plan to resign.
"I was elected to a job and my job is to lead these people through good times and bad. And right now we're going through a bad time, and it would be irresponsible."
Campbell told WAND News Thursday he has not spoken to Massey's family despite several attempts.
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