Matthew Madsen Anderson was a 15-year-old freshman at Rock Falls Township High School who died on March 1, 2014, from a gunshot wound sustained in an accidental shooting at the home of an Illinois State trooper. The incident occurred around 11:40 a.m. and involved two teenage boys; Matthew was not related to the trooper’s family.

Illinois State Police Lieutenant Victor Markowski confirmed the shooting was accidental. Matt was active in sports, having played on Rock Falls Little League State Champion teams in 2011 and 2013 and on the undefeated Rock Falls High School freshman football team, and was well liked by peers.

Grief counselors were made available at the high school, and the community organized tributes including a Facebook memorial page and suggestions that students wear black and green in his honor.