SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot a 36-year-old woman this month was recommended for “high-stress decision-making classes” in 2022 after violating multiple policies at his previous employer, the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, records show.
The investigation into Sean P. Grayson’s behavior during and after a police chase came about six months before Grayson joined the Sangamon County agency in May 2023. Records also suggested criminal cases were not prosecuted because of Grayson’s mistakes, though multiple Logan County authorities could not be reached or declined to clarify when contacted this week.
Grayson has pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the death of Sonya Massey, whom he shot to death in her home while responding to her 911 call about a suspected prowler.
Body camera footage of the July 6 incident, released by authorities on Monday, showed the shooting took place after an exchange over a pot of boiling water, with Massey ducking and apologizing before Grayson fired his gun.
State law enforcement records show Grayson worked at six Central Illinois police agencies in four years. Lee Enterprises filed requests under the Freedom of Information Act with each agency, seeking records of complaints and disciplinary actions made against Grayson, who joined the Logan County Sheriff’s Office in May 2022.
Just seven months into the job, Logan County’s chief deputy, Nathan Miller,…
