EUREKA, MONTANA | PUBLIC SAFETY | November 2, 2026
Quick Take
- Lincoln County Deputy Ryan Terpsma, 28, was shot and killed Friday night while answering a disturbance call in Eureka.
- A Eureka police officer was wounded, and a 46-year-old woman was also found shot dead at the home.
- The suspect fled with a 7-year-old girl, fired at pursuing deputies, then surrendered near a roadblock on Highway 93.
What’s happening?
Northwest Montana is grieving after a young sheriff’s deputy was killed in the line of duty just five months after joining the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Darren Short announced the death on Saturday.
Authorities identified the suspect as 50-year-old Matthew David Dye of Kalispell. Investigators say he shot both responding officers when they arrived at the home. The woman killed at the scene was identified as Merrisa Walker, 46. A young girl at the home was also hurt but was treated and released.
Where and when?
The call came in at 8:23 PM on Friday, October 30, from a home on Lone Pine Trail in Eureka, a small town near the Canadian border. Terpsma arrived with a Eureka police officer. He died at the scene, while the Eureka officer suffered injuries that are not considered life-threatening.
Dye then left in a vehicle with a 7-year-old girl, heading toward Kalispell. Flathead County deputies chased him, and he fired at them, disabling two patrol cars. Deputies returned fire. Dye stopped just before a roadblock on Highway 93 and surrendered. The girl was recovered unharmed.
By the Numbers
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Deputy’s age | 28 |
| People killed | 2 |
| Officers wounded | 1 |
| Patrol cars disabled in chase | 2 |
Who was Deputy Terpsma?
Terpsma started his law enforcement career in December 2024 as a detention officer with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office. In May 2026, he moved to Lincoln County to serve as a deputy sheriff.
Montana leaders quickly honored him. Governor Greg Gianforte ordered state flags to fly at half-staff, and Attorney General Austin Knudsen said the deputy made the ultimate sacrifice for his community.
Who feels it most?
Eureka is a close-knit community, and the loss has hit hard. Sheriff Short said it has been a trying year for Lincoln County and asked residents to support the department and each other while they grieve.
The families of Terpsma and Walker are also mourning, along with the wounded Eureka officer and the children caught up in the violence.
What comes next?
The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the case at the sheriff’s request. Dye remains in custody and is expected to be charged and make his first appearance in Lincoln County Justice Court this week. The Flathead County deputies who fired during the chase have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard policy.
Memorial arrangements for Terpsma had not been announced as of Sunday.
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