Babbitt, Minnesota: A northern Minnesota community is mourning the sudden loss of a beloved police sergeant and father of two who died less than a day after being diagnosed with a brain infection.
Sgt. Cody Siebert, a K-9 officer with the East Range Police Department, passed away on February 27, according to an announcement from the department. He leaves behind his life partner and two young sons, ages 1 and 2.
His unexpected death has stunned colleagues, family members, and residents across the small Iron Range communities he served.
Sudden Illness and Rapid Decline
According to reporting by The Minnesota Star Tribune, Siebert began experiencing a headache that had started the day before he sought medical attention.
He was hospitalized, and doctors determined that an infection originating in his nasal passage had spread to his brain. Within 24 hours of that diagnosis, he died.
Family members described the rapid progression as devastating and difficult to comprehend.
A Dedicated K-9 Officer in Northern Minnesota
Before joining the East Range Police Department, Siebert helped establish the K-9 program in Babbitt, Minnesota. He served alongside his police dog, Taconite, and became a familiar presence in the region.
In a public tribute, the department described him as someone known for his upbeat personality and ability to connect with others.
“Sgt. Siebert was well known for his happy-go-lucky personality,” the department wrote. “If you couldn’t get along with Cody, it was your fault.”
Colleagues added that the loss leaves a void that will be impossible to fill.
Community Remembers a Mentor and Role Model
Siebert’s impact extended beyond law enforcement.
Mesabi East Schools also shared a tribute, remembering him not just as a K-9 officer but as a mentor and steady presence for students.
School officials described him as someone who saw potential in every student and built meaningful relationships throughout the district.
Family members echoed that sentiment.
“To know Cody was to have a friend,” his family wrote on a fundraising page. “He had a rare gift for connection — if you crossed paths with him, you knew you were in for a genuine conversation.”
His brother told local media that Siebert loved being in a position where he could help people — not only through enforcement work, but by checking in at schools and engaging with the community.
Family Already Faced Recent Tragedy
The loss comes just months after another tragedy in the extended family.
According to The Minnesota Star Tribune, Siebert’s sister-in-law, Alyssa Siebert, died last October from a brain aneurysm.
“We’re in a déjà vu of an unusual situation,” a family member told the newspaper, noting that both individuals were known for helping others and making a difference in their communities.
Like his sister-in-law, Siebert chose to donate his organs, continuing his legacy of service even in death.
Support for His Young Family
A GoFundMe campaign organized by the family has raised more than $107,000 as of Tuesday evening. The funds are intended to support his partner, Karen Blais, and their two young sons.
Community members, fellow officers, and residents across northern Minnesota have contributed and shared messages of remembrance.
A Lasting Legacy in Minnesota
Sgt. Cody Siebert is being remembered as:
- A devoted father
- A committed public servant
- A positive force in schools and neighborhoods
- A colleague known for loyalty and humor
His sudden passing has deeply affected the small Iron Range towns he served, where law enforcement officers are often closely connected to residents.
As tributes continue to pour in, the memory of his work — from launching a K-9 program in Babbitt to mentoring students in local schools — remains a testament to his commitment to community service.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been publicly detailed.
