Springfield Police Chief ‘ashamed’ over deputy that killed Sonya Massey

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Springfield Police Chief Ken Scarlette criticized former Deputy Sean Grayson at the end of the Springfield City Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday night.

The former deputy for Sangamon County was charged with first degree murder for killing Sonya Massey earlier this month. Body camera footage showed that Grayson shot Massey in the head after she moved a pot of water off of her stove. Grayson pleaded not guilty.

Scarlette characterized Grayson as a “rogue deputy,” and said the shooting has negatively impacted the progress of relationships the police department has made with community groups. The police chief said he was “ashamed” Grayson served the same community as him.

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“[Sonya Massey] was senselessly murdered by a person who wears a uniform that is similar to this, by a person who wears a badge similar to mine, by a person who swore to uphold the same oath that I did and because of that, I’m mad.” he said.

He added that he’s committed to rebuilding that trust back in the capital city.

“It may not be my fault… for what transpired, but we will bear the shame and guilt for what a fellow law enforcement officer did in our community,” Scarlette said.

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Scarlette is working on responding to questions posed by members of the public Monday night during a community listening session. Those answers will be posted to SPD’s transparency page. He also highlighted changes to their hiring practices, specifically after firing Aaron Nichols, a former SPD officer who was fired in 2022 after being outed for writing several neo-Nazi social media posts.

“We’re gonna make Springfield a safer place, and a place where anyone can pick up the phone and call for our assistance and we will deliver that,” the police chief said.

The family has expressed support for the Springfield Police Department. Meanwhile Massey’s family are leading the calls for Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell to continue to resign, including members of the Sangamon County Board.

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