SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) 鈥� An Illinois sheriff who hired the deputy charged in the death of Sonya Massey announced Friday that he will retire, five weeks after was fatally shot in her home.
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell, who won the office in 2018, said politics stood in the way of his effectiveness as sheriff and suggested he and his family had received death threats. Campbell, a 30-year veteran of the department, had he did 鈥渘ot intend to step down.鈥�
鈥淲e must honor the life of Sonya Massey by ensuring that no one else falls victim to such tragic and senseless action. That has been my sincere mission since that fateful day,鈥� Campbell said in a statement. 鈥淏ut it has become clear that the current political climate has made it nearly impossible for me to continue effectively in my role.
鈥淪ome individuals would rather see our community divided and in turmoil than allow me to continue serving as sheriff,鈥� Campbell said.
A Republican, the 60-year-old Campbell said he would vacate his office no later than Aug. 31.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, , saying he had not provided answers to questions about how Sean Grayson became a deputy in the central Illinois county that鈥檚 home to the state capital of Springfield. Grayson, 30, was fired after 小蓝视频 indicted on in Massey鈥檚 July 6 killing.
Previously, Massey's father, James Wilburn, called Campbell 鈥渁n embarrassment鈥� and called for him to quit.
Grayson, who is white, has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. He is 小蓝视频 held without bond in the Menard County Jail. His defense attorney has declined to comment on the case.
Authorities said that after Massey called 911 to report a suspected prowler, two deputies went to her residence in Springfield, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) southwest of Chicago.
confirmed prosecutors鈥� earlier account of the tense moment when Grayson yelled across a kitchen counter at Massey to set down a pot of hot water. When he then threatened to shoot the unarmed woman, Massey ducked and briefly rose. In the chaos, it appeared she picked up the pan again and Grayson fired his 9 mm pistol three times, hitting her once just beneath her left eye, according to
When Grayson was fired, Campbell said it was evident the deputy 鈥渄id not act as trained or in accordance with our standards."
Campbell attended a listening session with community members on July 29 asking for the Massey family's forgiveness and saying, "I offer up no excuses.鈥�
Illinois law enforcement records show that Grayson's policing career began in 2020 with . That career included short stints as a part-time officer at three small police departments and a full-time job at a fourth department as well as working full time at two sheriff鈥檚 offices, all in central Illinois.
A decade ago, he was for the first of two drunken driving convictions in which he had a weapon in his car, authorities said. He was convicted of DUI again less than a year later.
Law enforcement experts say those convictions plus his previous employment record should have raised serious questions when the Sangamon County Sheriff鈥檚 Department
He was disciplined while a deputy for Logan County, north of Springfield, for not following a superior鈥檚 command to halt a high-speed chase 鈥� an indiscretion Campbell said he was not made aware of when seeking a reference from Logan County. But there鈥檚 no evidence he was forced out of any of those jobs.
鈥淭his man (Grayson) should have never had a badge," Wilburn said. "And he should have never had a gun. He should have never been given the opportunity to kill my child.鈥�
Wilburn's call for Campbell's job was followed by that of several Democrats on the GOP-dominated county board and then Pritzker, who claimed Campbell had not been forthcoming with answers about Grayson's hiring, what reforms he planned to implement and why he hadn't met with the Massey family.
鈥淚 just want to know and he has been unwilling to answer the questions 鈥� if he鈥檇 been willing to do these things, then act. He鈥檚 had a month,鈥� Pritzker said. 鈥淭here would be a lot less frustration, a lot more perhaps a sense of safety. But none of that was done by the sheriff.鈥�
Campbell's office exclusively for questions about the incident where Grayson's personnel file, , deputies' and other documents requested by the public were posted. He said he had reached out to Massey family intermediaries asking to sit down with them on four occasions but none had been accepted.
Marc Ayers, a Democratic county board member who sought Campbell's departure, said in a statement that the board 鈥渕ust implement bold reforms to bring further accountability and transparency鈥� to the sheriff's office.
鈥淚 invite the community to heal and come together as we fight for justice not just for Sonya Massey, but for all Sangamon County residents,鈥� Ayers said.
Campbell worked for the sheriff's office for more than 24 years as a deputy before retiring in 2016. He ran unsuccessfully for sheriff in 2014 but won four years later.
An emailed message was sent seeking comment from Ben Crump, the civil rights attorney representing the Massey family.
If convicted, Grayson faces prison sentences of 45 years to life for murder, six to 30 years for battery and two to five years for misconduct.
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Callahan reported from Indianapolis.
John O'connor And Rick Callahan, The Associated Press
