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A Minnesota police sergeant and father of two died less than 24 hours after doctors diagnosed him with a brain tumor, leaving a young family and community in shock.
Sgt. Cody Siebert, a K9 officer with the East Range Police Department, died on February 27, the department said. He was remembered as a devoted father, loyal colleague and player in the small northern Minnesota community he served.
Siebert helped launch the K9 program in Babbitt, Minnesota, alongside his own police dog, Taconite, before later joining the East Range Police Department.
“Sgt. Siebert was well known for being lucky,” the department wrote in a Facebook memorial. “It’s better to say that if you didn’t get along with Cody, it was your fault.”
Sgt. Cody Siebert is remembered by his colleagues and community members as a dedicated officer and devoted father who left a lasting impact on northern Minnesota. (East Range Police Department)
“The hole left by Sgt. Siebert will never be closed,” the department said.
A GoFundMe page set up 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, 1 and 2.
“Knowing Cody was like having a friend. He had an extraordinary gift for communication – when you crossed paths with him, you knew you were in a real 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.
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Sgt. Cody Siebert, a K9 officer with the East Range Police Department in Minnesota, died on February 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 with a headache that started the day before. He was hospitalized, and doctors found that the infection in the nose had spread to the 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 media. “Not just finding bad people, going to school, checking in with people.”
This tragedy comes just a few months after another death in the family. According to the Star Tribune, Siebert’s sister, Alyssa Siebert, died last October of a brain aneurysm.
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Sgt. Cody Siebert poses with his K9 partner, Taconite, and Chief Tim Soular. (East Range Police Department)
“We’re in a déjà vu of a strange situation,” said one sister-in-law, Ashley Siebert. “They both helped others all the time. They were both great people. They did more than most people in their 30s do in their lifetime.”
Like her sister-in-law, Siebert donated her organs, the newspaper reported.
The Minnesota East Range Police Department announced the unexpected death of Sgt. Cody Siebert on Feb. 27. (East Range Police Department)
Mesabi East schools also saluted, remembering Siebert as someone who saw potential in every student.
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“The impact he had on our students and staff is immeasurable. He was not only our K9 officer, he was a mentor, role model, friend, and constant, positive presence in our Giants community,” the school district wrote.
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