Jack Campbell, the Sangamon County Sheriff who hired the officer charged with shooting and killing Sonya Massey in her home earlier this month, says he will not resign despite acknowledging his department’s failures and despite calls from community members for him to step down.

Instead, on Monday night (July 29), Campbell asked residents packed inside Union Baptist Church in Illinois for grace, USA Today reported.  

“We failed Sonya and the community. I ask your forgiveness,” he told the nearly 300 people attending the “Listening session” organized by the U.S. Justice Department’s community relations service. Sonya Massey. I will say her name, and I'll never forget her,” he added. 

“I cannot imagine the pain that her family and friends feel right now. I'm sorry . . . We did not do our jobs,” Campbell continued. “I stand here before you with my arms wide open and I ask for your forgiveness, and I ask Ms. Massey and her family for her forgiveness. I offer up no excuses,” the sheriff told the crowd.

RELATED: White Illinois Deputy Faces Murder Charges After Fatally Shooting Black Woman Who Called Authorities for Help

Campbell is facing criticism as new details about now-former deputy Sean Grayson's military and professional background emerge. Audio recordings from a November 2022 interview between Grayson and Logan County’s chief deputy, obtained by NPR Illinois, reveal that the department was seemingly aware of issues concerning his performance and integrity. Despite this, Grayson joined the Sangamon County force in the spring of 2023.

On Saturday, July 6, Grayson, who is white, shot and killed 36-year-old Massey, a Black woman, in her Springfield home after she called for help regarding a possible intruder. 

Grayson has since been fired from the department and was indicted on multiple charges, including murder. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in jail without bond. If convicted, he faces prison sentences of 45 years to life for murder, 6 to 30 years for battery, and 2 to 5 years for misconduct.