Ryan Terpsma, a 28-year-old Bellingham native, was killed while responding to a disturbance call in Eureka, Montana, on Oct. 30 — the same day he turned 28. The Lincoln County sheriff's deputy and Squalicum High School graduate died in the line of duty, according to his family, after he and a second law enforcement officer were shot at the initial scene, before the suspect fled and was pursued.
According to KIRO 7 News Seattle, Terpsma's family said he gave his life in the line of duty on his 28th birthday. The Daily Inter Lake reports Terpsma was shot and killed while responding to the initial disturbance call at 8:23 p.m. at 118 Lone Pine Trail near Eureka. Reports differ on where Terpsma died: the Flathead Beacon reported he was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after officers arrived, while the Bellingham Herald reported he later died at a hospital.
A 46-year-old woman was also killed in the incident. The Daily Inter Lake's court-filings report identifies her as Merrisa Walker of Eureka, while the Bellingham Herald spells her name Merissa Walker, reporting she was found fatally shot in a vehicle at the scene. Investigators learned that the 46-year-old woman had been killed at the initial crime scene.
Officer Wounded, Suspect Fled With a Child
A Eureka police officer was also shot at the initial scene, before the suspect fled and officers pursued him, and suffered what the seed reporting described as non-life-threatening injuries. The same Daily Inter Lake court-filings account reports the officer, identified as Steed, was shot twice in the back but that body armor stopped the bullets.
The suspect fled the scene with a 7-year-old girl before being apprehended. He fired shots at two patrol vehicles while officers pursued him and ultimately surrendered at a roadblock. The Bellingham Herald reports that a girl at the original scene was injured and treated and released, while KPAX reports that the 7-year-old girl in the suspect's vehicle was uninjured.
Suspect Faced Homicide Charges Before Dying at Hospital
The man accused in the shootings, identified in Daily Inter Lake reporting as 50-year-old Matthew David Dye and in Flathead Beacon reporting as Mathew David Dye, was charged with two felony counts of deliberate homicide and a third felony count of attempted deliberate homicide, according to the Flathead Beacon. The same outlet reports that on Nov. 4, Dye was pronounced dead at Providence St. Patrick Hospital after a medical emergency in his jail cell.
The Bellingham Herald reports Dye's cause of death remains under investigation. The case had already drawn wide attention across Montana law enforcement; Montana's governor ordered flags lowered to half-staff through Friday to honor Terpsma, per the Daily Inter Lake's court-filings coverage.
A Lifelong Dream of Service
Terpsma's family described him as a dedicated public servant, loving son, protective brother and loyal friend. He had a lifelong desire to help people and protect his community and became a deputy sheriff in fulfillment of that dream. His family said he served with pride, integrity, bravery and joy, and a celebration of life is being planned in Bellingham.
A memorial fund has been established to help cover funeral expenses and other costs tied to the incident. The Western News reports the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association will serve as the collection point for public donations from Nov. 2 through Dec. 31. The fund was created to aid Terpsma's family with funeral expenses and other incident-related costs.
