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A police sergeant from Minnesota, known for his dedication and warmth, passed away less than a day after being diagnosed with a brain infection, leaving a young family and a community in shock.
Sgt. Cody Siebert, who served as a K9 officer with the East Range Police Department, died on February 27, as announced by the department. He was celebrated as a committed father, steadfast colleague, and a beloved figure in the tight-knit northern Minnesota town he served.
Siebert played a pivotal role in establishing the K9 program in Babbitt, Minnesota, alongside his canine partner, Taconite, before moving on to the East Range Police Department.
“Sgt. Siebert was renowned for his cheerful and easygoing nature,” the department shared in a heartfelt Facebook post. “It was often said that if you couldn’t get along with Cody, the fault lay with you.”
Sgt. Cody Siebert leaves behind a legacy as a passionate officer and loving father, deeply missed by those in northern Minnesota. (East Range Police Department)
“The hole left by Sgt. Siebert’s passing will be impossible to fill,” the department added.
A GoFundMe page launched by Siebert’s family has raised more than $107,000 as of Tuesday evening. He is survived by his life partner, Karen Blais, and their two sons, ages 1 and 2.
“To know Cody was to have a friend. He had a rare gift for connection — if you crossed paths with him, you knew you were in for a genuine conversation. He truly enjoyed people, and his absence leaves a void in our community that will be felt by many,” his family wrote on the fundraising page.
Sgt. Cody Siebert, a K9 officer with the East Range Police Department in Minnesota, died Feb. 27 less than 24 hours after being diagnosed with a brain infection. (East Range Police Department)
Blais told The Minnesota Star Tribune that Siebert woke up last week suffering from a headache that had begun the day before. He was hospitalized, and doctors determined that an infection in his nasal passage had spread to his brain, according to the newspaper.
“He loved people — being in that position and being able to help people in general,” his brother Brandon Siebert, told the outlet. “Not just getting the bad guys, going to the school, checking in with people.”
The tragedy comes just months after another loss in the extended family. According to the Star Tribune, Siebert’s sister-in-law, Alyssa Siebert, died last October from a brain aneurysm.
Sgt. Cody Siebert poses with his K9 partner, Taconite, and Chief Tim Soular. (East Range Police Department)
“We’re in a déjà vu of an unusual situation,” said his other sister-in-law, Ashley Siebert. “They both helped others the whole time. They were both great people. They’ve done more than most 30-year-olds have accomplished in their lives.”
Like his sister-in-law, Siebert donated his organs, the newspaper reported.
The East Range Police Department in Minnesota announced the unexpected death of Sgt. Cody Siebert on Feb. 27. (East Range Police Department )
Mesabi East Schools also paid tribute, remembering Siebert as someone who saw the potential in every student.
“The impact he had on our students and staff cannot be measured. He wasn’t just our K9 officer, he was a mentor, a role model, a friend, and a steady, positive presence in our Giants community,” the school district wrote.
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