LINCOLN COUNTY, MO (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A man with ties to Bellingham has died in the line of duty in northwest Montana.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says 28-year-old Deputy Ryan Terpsma was shot and killed during a response to a disturbance call in Eureka on Friday night, Oct. 30.

A Eureka police officer was also struck by gun fire, but suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect, identified as a 50-year-old Kalispell resident, fled the scene with a 7-year-old girl and led police on a chase before he was arrested. He made his first court appearance in Lincoln County Justice Court on Monday, Nov. 2.

Investigators learned that a 46-year-old woman had also been shot and killed at the scene of the original call, while a juvenile girl was injured and treated at the scene before being released.

According to Support Officers of Whatcom County, Terpsma graduated from Squalicum High School in 2017. He was sworn in at the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office in May 2026.

A procession led by law enforcement transported Terpsma for examination Monday morning before his body was returned to Libby, MT.

“Lincoln County Deputy Ryan Terpsma answered the call and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his community. He will not be forgotten,” said Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen in a statement. “My thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Terpsma’s friends and family, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and the entire Eureka community.”

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte announced that all flags in the state would fly at half-staff starting Monday to honor Terpsma.