Montana deputy killed in homicide and officer-involved shooting in USA

Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short announced the murder of 28-year-old Deputy Ryan Terpsma, who was killed in the line of duty on October 30, 2026. Deputies responded to a disturbance call at a residence in Eureka, Montana, where Terpsma and a Eureka Police Officer were struck by gunfire. The police officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries. During the investigation, authorities discovered that 46-year-old Merrisa Walker had also been shot and killed at the scene, and a juvenile female was treated for injuries.

The suspect, identified as 50-year-old Matthew David Dye of Kalispell, fled the scene with a 7-year-old girl. He was located by Flathead County Sheriff’s Deputies, leading to a pursuit where the suspect fired at officers, disabling two patrol cars. Dye was apprehended on Highway 93 after stopping at a roadblock and surrendering. He will be charged and face an initial hearing in Lincoln County Justice Court next week.