Sangamon County Sheriff responds to Pritzker’s calls he resign

[August 08, 2024]  By Greg Bishop | The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell says he will continue leading the office he was elected to despite calls from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to resign.

In the early morning hours in Springfield on July 6, Sonya Massey was shot and killed by sheriff’s deputy Sean Grasyon. Massey had called for help with a suspected prowler, but body camera footage shows Grayson shooting Massey in her home. He was fired and faces murder charges.

“The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office continues to grieve for Sonya Massey and her family,” Campbell said in a statement Wednesday. “While our grief cannot compare to the pain of the family, our office is trying to heal from within. All employees of the Sheriff’s Office feel betrayed by one of their own.”

For having hired Grayson, calls for Campbell to resign are growing. Several members of the Sangamon County Board are looking to place an advisory question on the November ballot asking voters if Campbell should resign. Campbell is up for reelection in 2026.

Wednesday, Pritzker said Campbell should resign.

“He has failed to explain how he ended up hiring this deputy sheriff who has been fired from other departments,” Pritzker said at an unrelated event in Chicago Wednesday. “He failed to put forward reforms that clearly need to be made, training and other reforms, and still has failed to meet with the Massey family.”

Campbell said he’s not resigning.

“We need to unite and heal. The one responsible is in jail and will never work in law enforcement again,” Campbell said. “Calls for my resignation are nothing more than political maneuvering during a tragic event and only hurt the good citizens of Sangamon County.”

Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell during a swearing in ceremony - Sangamon County Sheriff's Office | Facebook

Campbell said he’s requested to meet with the Massey family multiple times, but they have refused.

“I am still willing to meet with the family,” Campbell said.

Campbell also said the office is looking to modify the county’s hiring practices.

“We have used a process that we believe was consistent with statewide standards,” Campbell said. “If these standards are deficient, we would advocate a change at all necessary levels."

He further said he will continue working on building trust back with the sheriff’s office.

“I am committed to working with our community and elected leaders to improve not only the Sheriff’s Office but also hiring standards on a statewide level to prevent a state agency from certifying a similar law enforcement officer six different times in the future,” Campbell said.

Campbell said he was elected sheriff 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,” he said.