Sean Grayson, the former Sangamon County, Illinois, sheriff’s deputy who is facing murder charges in the death of Sonya Massey, had a troubled history with previous law enforcement agencies. New records obtained by Invisible Institute, Illinois Public Media, and the Investigative Reporting Workshop reveal that Grayson had been accused of inappropriate conduct with a female detainee and had faced multiple complaints about his behavior. These records also include audio recordings that suggest other police departments were aware of issues with Grayson’s performance and integrity.
Grayson’s career in law enforcement had been marked by frequent job changes, having worked at six different Central Illinois police departments in just four years. The shooting of Sonya Massey on July 6, 2024, brought attention to Grayson’s troubled past. Body-camera footage of the incident showed Grayson shooting at Massey three times after entering her home and telling her to drop a pot of boiling water. He has since pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct.
The records obtained from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, where Grayson worked prior to Sangamon County, revealed that department officials had concluded that Grayson had ignored internal policies during a high-speed chase and had received formal complaints about his behavior. The audio recordings from an interview between Grayson and Logan County’s chief deputy also indicated that there were previous concerns about his performance and integrity as an officer.
Despite these red flags, Grayson was able to move between police departments without facing serious consequences. When Logan County officials contacted Grayson’s previous employer, the Auburn Police Department, they received mixed reviews. While Grayson had never been disciplined, there were concerns about his report writing and aggressive behavior. However, he was still hired by the Logan County Sheriff’s Office.
Grayson’s conduct as an officer in Logan County raised further concerns. During a high-speed chase, he violated department policies and provided inaccurate information in his written report. In an interview with department supervisors, Grayson admitted to stretching the law and displayed a lack of professionalism and honesty. Despite these revelations, the department only recommended additional training for Grayson.
In addition to these issues, Grayson faced allegations of harassment from a woman he had arrested on drug possession charges. She claimed that Grayson instructed her to remove drugs from her body in front of him and other male deputies, causing her to feel violated. Another detainee, who identified himself as the woman’s fiancé, accused Grayson of abusing his power and harassing him in retaliation for the woman’s complaint.
Grayson’s troubled history also extends to his time in the U.S. Army, where he was discharged for serious misconduct while stationed at Fort Riley in Kansas. Despite this discharge, Grayson was able to find employment at multiple police departments in Illinois.
The case of Sean Grayson highlights the issue of “wandering officers” who commit misconduct at one department and are able to find employment at another. Although reforms were put into place in Illinois in 2021 to prevent this, the implementation of these reforms has been slow, and the accountability systems can still be strengthened.
It is crucial for law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate and address allegations of misconduct and to share this information with other agencies to prevent officers with a history of misconduct from being hired. The public deserves accountability, regardless of the size of the law enforcement agency.
The case of Sean Grayson serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in law enforcement. It is essential to have robust systems in place to prevent officers with a history of misconduct from continuing to serve in positions of authority. By addressing these issues, we can work towards building a more just and accountable law enforcement system.