Audio Recordings Reveal Past Misconduct of Deputy Involved in Fatal Shooting

Newly released audio recordings have shed light on the controversial actions of former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson, who fatally shot Sonya Massey. The recordings reveal that Grayson had previously faced reprimands at another law enforcement agency for submitting an inaccurate report regarding a traffic stop and pursuit. During a review on November 9, 2022, Logan County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Nathan Miller confronted Grayson about the discrepancies in his report, suggesting that it could be classified as “official misconduct” and highlighted several policy violations. Grayson, who has worked at six different law enforcement agencies over four years and has two DUI charges, maintained that he believed he was on the correct street referenced in his report. However, Miller challenged this assertion, indicating that it was geographically impossible for Grayson to have witnessed the events he described. The tension in the conversation escalated as Miller emphasized the importance of integrity in law enforcement, warning Grayson that his actions could lead to serious consequences. The incident leading to Massey’s death occurred after Grayson responded to a prowler report at her residence. Bodycam footage revealed that Massey had rebuffed Grayson’s advances, which escalated to threats from the deputy. Following the shooting, Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell terminated Grayson’s employment, condemning the act as an “unjustifiable and reckless decision.” Disciplinary records from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office recommend that Grayson undergo training in report writing and high-stress decision-making, underscoring the need for accountability and proper conduct in law enforcement.