SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. — Records show the former deputy officer who shot and killed an unarmed Black woman, Sonya Massey, worked for multiple departments in the state of Illinois in just a handful of years.
Legal experts told us the State of Illinois has something Missouri does not have: a way to search for police officers to check their work history.
It shows former Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson worked for six different agencies in the state of Illinois in just four years. But the public website does not tell the whole story — revealing “hired” and “separation” dates without explanation.
State records show 30-year-old Grayson hopped around as a part-time officer at three small departments. He had a full-time job at a fourth department, and worked at two sheriff’s offices. All of his jobs were in central Illinois.
5 On Your Side's I-Team discovered that Grayson had two misdemeanor DUI convictions in Macoupin County.
Body camera footage detailing the moments before and after Grayson shot and killed Sonya Massey was released Monday.
The footage shows the now-former deputy pulling his gun on Massey, 36, in her Springfield, Illinois, home after deputies responded to her 911 call about a possible prowler on July 6. Grayson has since been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct in the shooting and is in custody without bond.
The I-Team is working to find out what’s being done in the state to prevent officers with potentially bad track records from bouncing around.
Industry sources told the I-Team it’s the responsibility of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board to allow an officer to be hired somewhere else. The I-Team has reached out to that board for an explanation into how Grayson kept getting hired. We’re still waiting to hear back.
The I-Team spoke with Johnny Simon from the Simon Law Firm in St. Louis, who said, “in general, sovereign immunity in state law prohibits simple negligent hiring cases against state entities like the police department... the standard is much, much higher, which is a significant problem." Simon added that there are serious questions that need to be answered about Grayson’s background, and he hopes government entities are screening out candidates.
The I-Team reached out to national and statewide law enforcement organizations. Calvin Stearns with the Illinois Police Association told us he could not provide information about Grayson. We asked about the state website in Illinois that allows anyone to see officers’ work history. Stearns referred us to the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board.
To find out more about Grayson’s work history, the I-Team reached out to his former employers: the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, the Auburn Police Department, the Virden Police Department, the Kincaid Police Department, and the Pawnee Police Department. The Kincaid Police Department confirmed there were no written complaints or disciplinary action against Grayson when he worked there in 2021.
We reached out to the Police Executive Research Forum. A spokesperson said they don't have enough knowledge of Illinois' system to offer thoughts.
Kenny Winslow, Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Director, told us in an email:
“The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police has reviewed what has come to light with today’s release of the body camera footage showing the events that led to the death of Sonya Massey. Our thoughts and sincerest sympathies are with all those grieving and affected by this tragic incident. Upon watching the video, it is obvious that the actions of the now-former deputy, do not represent the values and training of the hard-working men and women of this honorable profession. The criminal justice system is positioned to address situations such as this, and we expect justice will work its course. The speed at which this case has proceeded, and the actions of the Illinois State Police and the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office, show the seriousness this incident has rightfully been given."
The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association's Jim Kaitschuk said in an email:
"Sheriffs and all members of law enforcement have a duty to serve and protect all of our citizens. We work every call, every shift, every day to work to keep our communities safe and be responsible to the public that puts its trust in us. This video does not depict how we are taught and trained to handle encounters of this nature."