Sean Grayson have enough infractions in the records of military and police forces to raise a red flag. Still, he earns and keeps badges in many departments. now, Sony MasseyA 36-year-old black woman believed to have experienced mental health issues has died.
A former Illinois deputy shot Massey in the face in front of him after he called 911 on July 6. While his family grieves, Grayson is in jail awaiting trial for first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct. Grayson, who is white, has pleaded not guilty.
RELATED: Sheriff Of Illinois Deputy Who Shot Sonya Massey Breaks Silence
Here is the breakdown of the red flag expert said the employer should be waved.
Sean P. Grayson Gets Second DUI in a Year
According to the Associated Press, Grayson got the Army boot for the first of two drunken driving convictions for having a weapon in the car. Before becoming a police officer, he was convicted twice in one year of driving under the influence.
Grayson enlisted in the Army in 2014. Prosecutors charged him with DUI in Macoupin County, south of Sangamon County, after a traffic stop on August 10, 2015, and again on July 26, 2016.
His first DUI led to his discharge from the military in February 2016 for “serious misconduct,” according to a U.S. official who spoke to AP News on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel information. The source added that Grayson had an unregistered gun in his vehicle. Grayson is not facing weapons charges because he is a resident of Fort Riley, Kansas. Kansas has open gun laws.
Grayson received a general discharge on honorable conditions rather than an honorable discharge because he was charged by a civilian law enforcement agency, and his military service was also good.
Sean Smoot, chairman of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, said a misdemeanor DUI charge does not bar someone from being in law enforcement. However, hiring agencies can definitely consider it.
“Some police departments won’t hire someone with one DUI,” Smoot said. “I’m surprised that an agency would hire someone with two DUIs, but some agencies seem to.”
Former Sheriff Sean Grayson Jack Campbell of Sangamon County said Grayson got the stamp of approval from the county merit commission and the state law enforcement board. Except for the DUI, he passed a drug test, a criminal background check, a psychological evaluation, and a 16-week academy course.
Former Agency Says He Needs More Training in “High-Stress Decision Making”
Before he came to his last police job in Springfield, Grayson worked for a year as a sheriff’s deputy in Logan County, just to the northeast. According to a report obtained under a public records request, in November 2022, he was told he needed more training, including a “high-stress decision-making class.” At that point, he failed to obey orders to stop the high-speed chase, reaching speeds of 110 mph (177 kph) before colliding with the deer.
Sean Grayson Has False Complaint Against Logan County Office
Logan County records also include misconduct complaints from two men Grayson arrested. The woman reported Grayson after giving her gloves and told her to remove the contraband in front of him and another male officer. He has admitted to having drugs in his body cavity.
They were then taken to the hospital to have it removed and said Grayson was peeing on the curtain during the procedure. He denied both complaints and resigned from Logan County before the investigation was completed.
Other Agencies Have Concerns About “Bragging”
To be clear, Sean Grayson has six policing jobs in four years. An employment report from his former agency, Auburn, south of Springfield, praised his victory. Grayson is said to be always early for work, eager to train, accept criticism, and has not faced disciplinary action.
However, he struggled with writing reports, “not good with evidence – things left in the office,” and “arrogant people.”
Sonya Massey & Her Mother Called 911 The Day She Died
Sonya Massey died at her home about 200 miles south of Chicago after deputies responded to a 911 call about a possible prowler early July 6.
Prosecutors alleged that after Grayson allowed Massey to move a pot of hot water on the stove and he set it on the counter, Grayson then “aggressively yelled” at Massey over the pot and pulled out a 9 mm pistol.
Massey then threw his hands in the air, said, “I’m sorry,” and ducked for cover. But Grayson still managed to shoot him in the face. The officer also did not advise other deputies not to take their medical kits.
Most recently, the calls Sonya and her mother made to 911 on the day of her death were released.
RELATED: Details Revealed About Sonya Massey & Her Mother’s Calls to Illinois Police in the Hours Before She Died (LISTEN)
Associated Press staff John O’Connor, Lolita Baldor, Melissa Perez Winder, and Ed White contributed to this report.
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