Illinois sheriff in Sonya Massey shooting case announces retirement after criticism

Aug. 9 (UPI) — Sangamon County, Illinois Sheriff Jack Campbell announced his retirement Friday, a month after former deputy Sean Grayson fatally shot an unarmed black woman, Sonya Massey, in her home.

In a statement distributed to media, Campbell said he would step down from his elected position at the end of the month.

The sheriff was roundly criticized this week by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who called for his resignation over what he called his failure to see several red flags surrounding Greyson, including the fact that he had been fired by at least one previous employer before he was hired by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department.

Documents obtained by CBS News show that Greyson has been cited twice for drunken driving, was discharged from the U.S. Army in 2016 for serious misconduct and has had charges of intimidation and abuse of power listed in his Sangamon County personnel file.

Campbell fired Greyson on July 17 for violating use-of-force standards by shooting Massey, who was holding a pot of hot water in the kitchen of his home after reporting a prowler. The former deputy is now charged with three counts of first-degree murder.

In his statement Friday, Campbell offered his condolences to Massey’s family and insisted he has been “proactive and transparent, working tirelessly to present all the facts to the public.”

He later blamed his decision to retire on the “political climate.”

“It has become apparent that the current political climate has made it nearly impossible for me to continue to serve effectively in my role,” he said. “Some people would rather see our community divided and in turmoil than allow me to continue serving as sheriff. My health, the health of my family, the sheriff’s office and our community must be my priority.”