Illinois governor calls for sheriff's resignation over Sonya Massey shooting

Democratic Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday called for the resignation of Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell, after one of his deputies fatally shot Sonya Massey in her home last month.

Former Sangamon County Sheriff deputy Sean Grayson has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct after he shot Massey on July 6. Massey had called 911 about a suspected prowler, and Grayson and another deputy responded to the call. 

An autopsy confirmed that Massey's death was a homicide, and video footage of the encounter from police body cameras confirmed that Grayson fired three shots at Massey. But Grayson has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Pritzker said Campbell should resign over the incident because he has allegedly failed to make any reforms in the department since the shooting, but the governor did not specify what reforms should be made.

“He has failed to explain how he ended up hiring this deputy sheriff who has been fired from other departments,” Pritzker said of Campbell at an event in Chicago, per the Associated Press. “He failed to put forward reforms that clearly need to be made, training and other reforms and still has failed to meet with the Massey family.”

It is not clear whether Grayson has been fired from other police departments, but he was kicked out of the Army 10 years ago because he had two drunk driving arrests in the span of one year, the outlet reported. He has also received reviews in his law enforcement career that stated he needed more training and had one disciplinary issue.

Campbell has rejected the calls to resign, and said he hopes to meet with Massey's family, but that his requests to meet with them have been declined so far.

“I was overwhelmingly elected to lead the sheriff’s office through both good times and bad,” the sheriff said. “I am fully prepared to continue leading my office and serving the residents of Sangamon County through this difficult period, ensuring we learn from this tragedy and work toward a better future.”

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.