A memorial service held at Mesabi East High School on Saturday drew the community together to honor East Range Police Officer Cody Siebert, who passed abruptly of a brain infection just 24 hours after diagnosis on Feb. 27.
Siebert launched his law enforcement career as a reserve officer in Big Lake, Minnesota. He then served as a part-time officer in Becker before starting Babbitt Police Department’s K9 program. Siebert eventually transferred to the East Range Police Department.
He additionally served as a basketball coach and had taken vacation time in order to attend the team’s games at the Section 7A tournament, which occurred throughout the first week of March.
“The impact he made in the communities where he lived and worked will live on long beyond the short time we had him here,” said Bailey Reynolds, a friend of Cody Siebert’s.
“Watching him grow up and succeed in his career and do something he was truly passionate about, I couldn’t be more proud,” said Siebert’s older brother, Derek.
Derek Siebert described Cody as a “caring, thoughtful human being” who would “never back down from anything.”
“He always had a way to lighten the mood and make whatever you were doing just a little more interesting,” Derek Siebert said.
Other family and friends also reflected upon Cody Siebert’s wide-reaching legacy.
“Hearing the stories over the last few days has been really eye-opening,” said Siebert’s oldest brother, Brandon. “It’s surprising and humbling to learn how many people he helped, how many lives he touched, and how often he showed up for others without saying a word about it.”
Siebert’s father, Todd, recalled sitting in the hospital and watching “well over 100 people" that he had "never seen or met before" arriving to convey their last goodbyes to Siebert.
"If Cody taught us anything, it's that relationships matter," said Brandon Siebert. "So take a mo - ment. Call your buddies, call your family, shoot the shit, get together, play some games, and if you can, enjoy some blueberry wine. That's how Cody lived, and that's how he wants us to keep going."
The service concluded with a ceremony conferring police honors upon the fallen officer.
"Cody, we thank you for your dedication to your family and the communities that you served," said the ceremonial announcer, "You will be missed."
Siebert is survived by his life partner, Karen Blais, and their two young sons.
