Sheriff Campbell said he will not step down at first public appearance since Sonya Massey’s death
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) — Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell stood in front of an emotional crowd in mourning and said he will not step down during a community listening session in Springfield Monday night.
The Department of Justice hosted the session at Union Baptist Church. People had the chance to voice their concerns and ideas for change to a panel of local officials, which included Campbell.
It was Campbell’s first public appearance since Massey was killed.
“Sonya Massey. I speak her name. And I’ll never forget it. I can’t imagine the pain her family and friends feel right now, and I’m sorry,” Campbell said. “She called for help. And we failed her. That’s all she did, this call for help. I’m gonna say something right now that I never said in my career before. We failed. We did not do our jobs. We failed Sonya, we failed Sonya’s family and friends. We failed the community. And I stand here today before you with my arms wide open and I ask for your forgiveness. I asked Ms. Massey and her family for forgiveness. I offer up no excuses. What I do offer is our attempt to do better. To be better. We will probably never know why he did what he did. But I’m committed to provide the best service we can to all of you. I will look for ways to improve — to ensure we hire and train the best possible employees that we can. I know some of you will ask for better relations and better understanding between the Sheriff’s Office and our citizens. I look forward to hearing from all of you.
“I am open to listening. I appreciate all the community organizations I have been in contact with and who have kept us from hearing damaging unrest. The ministers, the pastors, leaders and elected officials I have spoken with that have led by example of patience and restraint. You all understood the length of time this process could take. I appreciate the Illinois State Police and the speed that they investigated. And our State’s Attorney John Milheiser, who brought charges in this case. And now I’m ready to listen to you. And I close with this; you are the reason I ran for Sheriff. My commitment to you has never wavered. It still doesn’t. I cannot step down. I will not abandon the Sheriff’s Office at the most critical moment. That would solve nothing, the incident would remain. I vow to listen and learn. Thank you.”
Sangamon Co. Sheriff addresses hiring practices, dispatcher confusion
Campbell has faced consistent calls for his resignation after one of his deputies was charged with the murder of Sonya Massey. Deputy Sean Grayson responded to a 911 call at Massey’s home on July 6th. Body camera footage showed that when Massey started to move a pot of water from her stove, Grayson shot her in the face.
Grayson had a history of problems at his previous law enforcement job in Logan County, and he had two DUIs on his record prior to becoming an officer. Campbell still hired him.
Even Massey’s father, James Wilburn, has called multiple times for Campbell’s resignation.
IL FOP: Sean Grayson fired ‘without just cause’, files grievance
Campbell is up for reelection in 2026.
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