Sean Grayson, a fired deputy who has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey in Illinois, had a history of reprimands in his previous jobs. His personnel file from the Logan County, Illinois Sheriff’s Office revealed issues with his police reports, failure to follow orders, and a perceived lack of integrity. The Logan County Sheriff’s Office and the Auburn Police Department, where Grayson worked before his time in Sangamon County, were aware of these performance issues. The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office has not responded to requests for Grayson’s personnel files.
Grayson’s performance issues were further addressed in a recorded conversation on November 9, 2022, where his superiors cited inaccuracies in his reports that could be considered “official misconduct.” Grayson was also involved in a high-speed chase that violated department policy and resulted in him striking a deer with his squad car after ignoring a supervisor’s order to stop. The conversation also revealed concerns about Grayson’s integrity and truthfulness, with his superiors emphasizing their zero-tolerance policy for lying and deception. Grayson has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in Massey’s death and remains jailed without bond.
Before joining Sangamon County in May 2023, Grayson moved among six law enforcement agencies in central Illinois over a four-year period. While records from four of those departments do not show complaints or disciplinary actions against Grayson, he was a concern to senior officers in Logan County on more than one occasion. There were two complaints filed against him, and he was also reminded about issues with accuracy in his reports during a separate conversation with his superiors. Despite these reprimands, Grayson left the sheriff’s office in Logan County in “good standing.”
Concerns about Grayson’s on-the-job behavior had been shared before he was hired in Logan County, with the police chief in Auburn, where he previously worked, describing him as a “bragger” who posted drug arrests on Facebook. The chief also noted concerns about Grayson’s evidence handling, aggressiveness, and struggles with report writing. However, Grayson was described as punctual, eager for training, and receptive to feedback. Massey, a Black woman, was fatally shot by Grayson in her home in Springfield during an altercation over a pot of water. An autopsy report confirmed that Massey died from a gunshot wound to the head.
The fatal shooting of Massey has raised questions about Grayson’s job performance and conduct before joining Sangamon County. The records show a pattern of performance concerns and reprimands from his previous jobs, including inaccuracies in reports, failure to follow orders, and a perceived lack of integrity. Grayson’s attorney declined to comment on the case, and he remains jailed without bond facing charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. The hiring process and sharing of concerns between law enforcement agencies have also come under scrutiny in light of Grayson’s history of performance issues.
Grayson’s history of reprimands and performance issues, along with concerns about his on-the-job behavior, have shed light on potential warning signs that may have been overlooked before he joined Sangamon County. His superiors in Logan County expressed concerns about his integrity and truthfulness, with one stating a zero-tolerance policy for lying and deception. Despite the reprimands and complaints filed against Grayson, he left the sheriff’s office in Logan County in “good standing,” raising questions about the effectiveness of internal disciplinary processes in addressing performance issues among law enforcement officers. The case has garnered national attention and sparked discussions about transparency, accountability, and oversight within law enforcement agencies.
