Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell, embroiled in controversy following the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey on July 6, said he is stepping down. Campbell, who has been sheriff since 2018, is retiring no later than Aug. 31, he said in a statement on August 9. Former county deputy Sean P. Grayson has been charged with Massey’s murder. He pleaded not guilty and remains in custody after again being denied pre-trial release.
Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter has final say in naming an interim replacement. Campbell’s second in command is Chief Deputy Anthony Mayfield. Calls for Campbell’s resignation had come from many sides, including Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. Campbell previously refused to resign, saying it would be “irresponsible.” Massey’s family members also called for him to be let go. In a statement provided, Pritzker hoped a fresh start with new leadership “will usher in a new era of reform and rebuilt the trust lost between the Sangamon County community and sheriff’s office. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump said Campbell’s retirement “marks a turning point in the ongoing pursuit of justice for Sonya Massey.”
Read More: Sonya Massey Killing: Sheriff Asks For Forgiveness, But Shoots Down Calls To Resign
Sheriff Jack Campbell To Retire After Murder Of Sonya Massey
Since Sean Grayson’s arrest for Sonya Massey’s death, questions have arose about how he got multiple opportunities as a police officer. He worked for six different agencies in four years. Grayson, while still enlisted in the U.S. Army, had two DUI convictions. Army. Grayson’s discharge from the Army noted a “serious misconduct,” which Campbell interpreted as his DUI charges. The file did not detail what the misconduct was. In 2022, a woman accused him of sexual harassment while on the job. He denies any wrongdoing.
Campbell previously said he felt Grayson “betrayed” members of the sheriff’s department. Campbell said the department “failed the community.” at a U.S. Department of Justice hearing in Springfield last month. “We failed Sonya, we failed Sonya’s family and friends.” In his statement, he said: “I was overwhelmingly elected to lead the Sheriff’s Office through both good times and bad. I am fully prepared to continue leading my office and serving the residents of Sangamon County through this difficult period, ensuring we learn from this tragedy and work toward a better future.” Grayson’s next criminal hearing is on August 26.
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