Map Released for Deputy Ryan Terpsma’s Procession

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A procession honoring fallen Deputy Ryan Terpsma will depart Civic Stadium Saturday morning before family, friends and community members gather in Bellingham for his Celebration of Life.

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office released the procession route and schedule for the Nov. 14 tribute to Terpsma, a 28-year-old Bellingham native who was killed in the line of duty while serving with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office in Montana.

The procession will depart Civic Stadium, 1445 Puget St., at 11:15 a.m. Saturday. A map released by the Sheriff’s Office shows the route to the celebration venue.

Doors at Christ the King Community Church, 4173 Meridian St., will open to the public and media at 12:10 p.m. The Celebration of Life will begin at 1 p.m.

The service is open to the public. Those unable to attend can watch a livestream at ctk.link/terpsma. The link will become active at 12:10 p.m. Saturday.

A Life of Service, Taken Too Soon

Terpsma, a Whatcom County native and Squalicum High School graduate, died Oct. 30 after responding to a disturbance in Eureka, Montana.

Terpsma and a Eureka police officer were both shot during the response. Terpsma died at the scene, while the officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Investigators later discovered that a 46-year-old woman had also been killed at the residence.

The suspect, 50-year-old Matthew David Dye, fled with a 7-year-old girl before deputies apprehended him following a pursuit. Dye died Nov. 4 after experiencing a medical emergency while in custody at the Missoula County Detention Facility.

The Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association established the Deputy Ryan Terpsma Memorial Fund to help his family with funeral expenses and other costs related to his death. Organizers say 100% of tax-deductible donations will go toward those expenses.

Donations can be made through the Deputy Ryan Terpsma Memorial Fund.

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