Hoyt Lakes and Aurora are mourning the sudden loss of Sgt. Cody Siebert, a K-9 officer with the East Range Police Department, died Friday after a rapidly developing brain infection that had been diagnosed less than 24 hours earlier. His death has shaken colleagues, students, and residents across the Iron Range.
According to Bring Me The News, the East Range Police Department announced on Facebook that Siebert "passed away yesterday, less than 24 hours after being diagnosed with a brain infection." The department said his death was "unexpected for everyone" as family members and fellow officers now begin the painful process of grieving.
K-9 Work And A Well-Known Personality
Local reporting from KSTP notes that before joining East Range, Siebert helped launch the K-9 program in Babbitt with K-9 Taconite (Tac), a point of pride in his law enforcement career. The department also highlighted how deeply his personality resonated with people, saying that "if you couldn't get along with Cody, it was your fault," a line that has quickly become shorthand for just how widely he was liked.
Family Support And Fundraising
A GoFundMe has been organized to support Siebert's partner, Karen, and their two young sons, Reese and Bayne, according to WDIO. The fundraiser's organizer described Siebert as someone who "had a rare gift for connection" and appealed to the community to help cover household expenses and contribute to the children's futures as the family navigates life without him.
Community Reaction And What Officials Have Said
Mesabi East Schools said the district was "truly blessed to have him walking our halls, greeting students, encouraging staff, and building relationships that went far beyond the badge," according to KSTP. The East Range Police Department has not released further medical details beyond the Facebook statement, and, as FOX21 reports, the department has asked for privacy for Siebert's family while arrangements are made and local support efforts continue.
