SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. — The Sangamon County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday released the 165-page personnel file of Sean Grayson, a former deputy charged in the shooting death of Sonya Massey in July.
The file revealed disciplinary problems, drunken driving convictions and warnings from previous employers about Grayson's need for more training. Yet he was repeatedly hired, leading to a tragic and deadly outcome.
Records showed Grayson was hired despite what many consider to be red flags.
The day before Massey, 36, was fatally shot, her mother told 911 dispatchers her daughter was having a "mental breakdown" but was not dangerous.
“I don’t want you guys to hurt her," Donna Massey said.
Grayson shot Massey, who was unarmed, at her Springfield, Illinois, home on July 6. Sangamon County records showed that on July 5, Massey and her mother placed numerous calls to 911.
Employment termination documents showed Grayson was fired because he violated policies and procedures, leading to Massey’s death. He failed to give medical aid and discouraged another deputy from helping, and also did not activate his body camera until after the shooting. The documents also cited insubordination, saying he refused to answer questions during an internal investigation into Massey's shooting.
Grayson’s past employers had mixed reviews. Many highlighted his need for more extensive training, better documentation and a lack of safety skills. They also called him "a good deputy" and “a great guy.”
In September 2022, Grayson hit a deer while working as a deputy at the Logan County Sheriff's Office. A report found he failed to slow down despite his supervisor's order to terminate a pursuit.
Less than a year later, he was hired in Sangamon County. The personnel records showed he had personal connections, including a reference from his girlfriend’s father, who worked at the agency for decades.
Meanwhile, an extensive background check on Grayson included reviews of his social media and criminal history.
The records showed many problems were attributed to inexperience. The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, responsible for approving officer hires statewide, has not responded to multiple questions about how Grayson continued to find employment.
5 On Your Side reached out to the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office to ask if the deputies who responded to Massey's call on July 6 knew about her mental health issues. The department has not yet responded.
Grayson’s attorney, Daniel Fultz, said he was "not interested in commenting.”
Sangamon County continues to release documents related to the Massey case, including Grayson's personnel files, which are available on a dedicated webpage.