According to reporting from Capitol News Illinois, the family of Sonya Massey—who would have just celebrated her 37th birthday had she not been killed—has reached a $10 million wrongful death settlement with Sangamon County and the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office. In July of 2024, Ms. Masset was shot and killed in her own home by a deputy from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office. That officer, Sean Grayson, is currently facing a first-degree murder charge. Within this article, our Chicago wrongful death attorney provides an overview of the tragic incident, the settlement, and the law for these claims in Illinois.
Sangamon County Woman Shot and Killed By Officer in Her Own Home (Unjustified)
On July 6th, 2024, 36-year-old Sonya Massey, a African-American mother of two in Springfield, Illinois, called 911 to report a suspected prowler near her home. Multiple Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the call. Sean Grayson was one of the officers who went to the scene of her home. After an initial search outside yielded nothing suspicious, the deputies entered Ms. Massey’s residence.
When inside, the officers requested identification. During the interaction, they reportedly noticed a pot of boiling water on the stove. When asked to address it, Ms. Massey lifted the pot and, according to body camera footage, said, “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” Deputy Grayson then drew his firearm, threatened to shoot her, and, despite Ms. Massey’s immediate apology and apparent full compliance, fired three shots. Tragically, she was killed.
There was national outcry after the body camera footage was released by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office. Soon after, a civil wrongful death lawsuit was filed. Additionally, Sean Grayson was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. As of February of 2025, he is still awaiting trial.
$10 Million Wrongful Death Settlement Reached
As confirmed in reporting by the Associated Press (AP), the family of Sonya Massey has reached a $10 million settlement in the civil wrongful death lawsuit against Sangamon County and the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office. The settlement agreement has been approved by a County board. The wrongful death settlement funds will reportedly primarily benefit the two teenage children of the victim. A legal representative for the family called the wrongful death settlement “our first step in getting full justice for Sonya Massey.” As noted, the criminal case against the officer—who was fired by the law enforcement agency, is still pending. A murder trial is scheduled for later in 2025.
Suing a Law Enforcement Agency for Wrongful Death in Illinois
The death of a person at the hands of a law enforcement officer is a terrible tragedy. In Illinois, a state or local police department may potentially bear liability for a wrongful death. There are four main laws under which surviving family members may have a claim:
- Illinois Wrongful Death Act: Under Illinois law (740 ILCS 180/1), surviving family members may have a wrongful death lawsuit. The law allows surviving family members—most notably, spouses, children, and parents—to seek compensation for economic and non-economic losses. A wrongful death is one based on negligence. It requires an unjustified use of force. A Chicago wrongful death lawyer can help your family navigate the civil legal claims process.
- Illinois Survival Act: The Illinois Survival Act (755 ILCS 5/27-6) allows the estate of a wrongful death victim to continue legal claims that the deceased could have pursued had they survived. In other words, the law allows them to seek compensation for the damages—medical bills, pain and suffering, etc—that the victim endured between the wrongful act by lawsuit and their eventual death. Notably, families can bring both a wrongful death lawsuit and a survival action lawsuit. They do not need to choose between the two.
- Federal Civil Rights Law: Federal civil rights law (42 U.S.C. § 1983) allows victims of families to hold law enforcement agencies accountable for deaths that happen to police brutality. Unjustified police killings fall into this category. Indeed, the law provides a cause of action when a person is killed due to an officer’s excessive force or any other violation of their constitutional rights. Punitive damages may be sought through a Section 1983 case.
- Monell Claim (Municipal Liability): A Monell claim allows families to sue a municipality if a wrongful death resulted from an official policy, custom, or failure to train police officers properly. The 1978 Supreme Court case of Monell v. Department of Social Services of the City of New York established the standard of liability. A municipal government or police department can be held liable if systemic issues—such as unconstitutional policies, deliberate indifference, or inadequate officer training—led to a death. In this case, Sangamon County was sued, in part, for an alleged Monell violation.
Wrongful death claims against the government are complicated—especially so when suing a law enforcement agency. Grieving families should seek guidance and support from a Chicago wrongful death lawyer with the knowledge, skills, and experience to get justice.
Why Grieving Families in Chicago Trust Kennedy Watkins for Wrongful Death Representation
Was your loved one killed due to carelessness, recklessness, or any other type of negligence? A civil wrongful death lawsuit is an avenue to get justice, accountability, and financial support. At Kennedy Watkins LLC, our Chicago attorneys have the knowledge, skills, and experience to handle all types of wrongful death claims. With a proven record of verdicts and settlements in high-stakes cases, our Chicago wrongful death lawyers provide free, confidential, and no obligation case reviews.
Contact Our Chicago Wrongful Death Attorney for a Free Consultation
At Kennedy Watkins LLC, our Chicago wrongful death lawyer is a compassionate, experienced advocate for justice. If you have questions or concerns about wrongful death claims, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today for a free, no obligation, and fully confidential consultation. We represent grieving families in Chicago and throughout all of Northern Illinois, including in County Cook, Lake County, Will County, DuPage County, McHenry County, and Kendall County.