On November 5, 2024, Illinois Second Judicial Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Valentine was found fatally shot outside his home in the 1100 block of County Road 600 in Albion, Illinois. Edwards County Sheriff's Office deputies responding to a welfare check discovered his body at about 12:14 p.m.; the Illinois State Police later took over the investigation at the sheriff’s request.

Valentine, born April 14, 1981, in Chicago, had been the Edwards County State’s Attorney for eight years before his election as a Circuit Judge for the same county. He was a former Chicago EMT, a member of the Albion Fire Department, and belonged to the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association; he also served as a Drug Court Judge. Following the discovery, his wife, Megan S. Valentine, 44, was taken into custody and subsequently charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and aggravated domestic battery; she is being held at the White County Jail. Visitation was held November 13, 2024, at the House of Prayer in Albion, with funeral services to follow in Orland Park. He is survived by his parents, Michael J. Valentine Sr. and Marilyn (Jablonowski) Valentine, his children Mia Rose Valentine and Michael Joseph Valentine III, and other family.

No information is provided about any plea or legal representation for Megan Valentine. If anyone knew Judge Valentine or has information relevant to the case, please share what you know.