A woman also died, a Eureka police officer was wounded and authorities say the suspect surrendered after a pursuit on U.S. 93.
EUREKA, MT — A Lincoln County sheriff’s deputy was killed and a Eureka police officer was wounded Friday night while responding to a disturbance, authorities said, setting off a pursuit that ended with a Kalispell man surrendering to law enforcement.
Deputy Ryan Terpsma, 28, died after responding with the Eureka officer to a disturbance call on Lone Pine Trail at about 8:23 p.m. Oct. 30, according to Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short and the Montana Department of Justice. Investigators later found 46-year-old Merrisa Walker dead at the scene. Authorities identified the suspect as Matthew David Dye, 50, of Kalispell.
The Eureka police officer was struck by gunfire and suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening, authorities said. A juvenile girl also was injured during the incident, treated at the scene and released. Officials have not publicly detailed the circumstances that led to the original disturbance call or described a possible motive.
Authorities said Dye left the area in a vehicle with a 7-year-old girl and headed south toward Kalispell. Flathead County sheriff’s deputies located the vehicle and began a pursuit. Law enforcement officials allege Dye fired at pursuing deputies and disabled two patrol vehicles. Flathead County deputies also returned fire during the pursuit, according to accounts released by authorities.
The pursuit continued along U.S. 93, where law enforcement established a roadblock. Authorities said Dye stopped before reaching the roadblock and surrendered. The 7-year-old girl who had been in the vehicle was recovered unharmed. No additional injuries to pursuing deputies were reported in the initial accounts of the incident.
Dye was taken to the Flathead County Detention Center. A jail roster cited by local news organizations listed felony allegations including deliberate homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated eluding a peace officer and criminal endangerment. The allegations have not been proven in court, and the precise charges that prosecutors will pursue will be determined through the court process.
The Montana Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation at Short’s request. The state agency confirmed Saturday that Terpsma was killed, another officer was injured and a second female victim died during the incident. Investigators have not released a detailed account explaining what happened inside or around the residence before officers arrived.
Terpsma had recently joined the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office after previously working for the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office. Reports citing law enforcement officials said he began working as a Lincoln County deputy in May. Short said the department and surrounding community were grieving Terpsma’s death and thanked residents for supporting law enforcement personnel through the loss.
State and county officials also issued statements mourning Terpsma and Walker. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said Terpsma died while serving his community, while Lincoln County commissioners extended condolences to both families and wished the wounded Eureka officer a full recovery. County officials said flags at Lincoln County facilities would be lowered to half-staff from Nov. 2 through Nov. 6.
Authorities had not announced memorial arrangements for Terpsma as of Sunday. Dye remained in custody while the Division of Criminal Investigation continued its work, and further court proceedings were expected as prosecutors formalize charges stemming from the shooting and pursuit.
Author note: Last updated November 1, 2026.