Deputy Ryan Terpsma Escort of Honor
by Maggie Craig
November 7, 2026
The Escort of Honor for Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Terpsma
occurred Friday afternoon, November 6, from Schnackenberg &
Riddle Funeral Home to Libby Airport, where his flight
awaited to take him to his final resting place in his
hometown of Bellingham, Washington.
About 70 law enforcement and first responder vehicles from
all across Montana and north Idaho escorted Deputy Terpsma
to the airport.
Deputy Terpsma was fatally shot October 30, his 28th
birthday, while responding with Eureka police officer David
Steed to a domestic disturbance call in Eureka. Also
fatally shot was Merrisa Walker of Eureka. Officer Steed was
shot and wounded.
The suspect, Matthew Dye, was apprehended after a vehicle
pursuit and detained in Missoula, where he subsequently died
November 4 from an unknown medical condition. He had been
charged with two felony counts of deliberate homicide for
the fatal shootings of Merrisa Walker and Deputy Terpsma and
one felony count of attempted deliberate homicide for
shooting and wounding Officer Steed.
Deputy Terpsma had been with the Lincoln County Sheriff's
Office for five months, and by all accounts, doing the job
he loved.
Lincoln County residents have been shocked and saddened by
this senseless tragedy. The community offers condolences to
the families of Deputy Ryan Terpsma and Merrisa Walker and
wishes Officer Steed a complete recovery.
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