Lincoln County Sheriff's deputy killed in Friday night shooting

Key Points:

• Lincoln County Deputy Ryan Terpsma, 28, was fatally shot while responding to a disturbance call in Eureka on Oct. 30, 2026; an Eureka Police officer was also injured but sustained non-life-threatening wounds.
• The suspect, Matthew David Dye, 50, fled the scene with a 7-year-old girl, fired at pursuing deputies disabling two patrol cars, but was stopped and surrendered at a roadblock; the child was recovered unharmed.
• Merrisa Walker, 46, was found shot and killed at the original scene, and a juvenile girl was injured but treated and released.
• Law enforcement officials, including Montana Governor Greg Gianforte and Senator Steve Daines, expressed condolences and prayers for the victims’ families, officers, and community; the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the inquiry.
• Dye faces charges related to Deputy Terpsma’s death, with an initial court hearing scheduled next week; involved deputies have been placed on administrative leave per protocol.