Libby Police Chief Cody Ercanbrack is on administrative leave for the second time in less than four months.

Ercanbrack first confirmed he was on administrative leave in a June 19 text message to The Western News. Ercanbrack had no other comment regarding the situation.

Libby Mayor Hugh Taylor confirmed Ercanbrack was on paid administrative leave in a June 25 phone conversation with The Western News. He said the city was conducting a review of the chief.

“We are committed to working through this as fast as possible and we’ll try to provide information at some point,” Taylor said.

ERCANBRACK'S ATTORNEY, Lance Jasper, said his client being on leave is without merit.

"This is meant to get rid of the Libby Police Department and place those officers into the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office," Jasper said in a June 29 phone conversation with The Western News. "People need to speak to the mayor and ask for the criminal activity versus Cody. This is not a true investigation, they never asked for any evidence."

Jasper said the city and county have a plan to dissolve the Police Department with its officers joining the county.

"But, they needed a reason to do," Jasper said.

Sheriff Darren Short said there was some discussion with the city about covering shifts, but Taylor said all are currently covered.

Ercanbrack was placed on paid administrative leave earlier this year following his involvement in the March 4 officer-involved shooting of Aaron Jeffrey Graham. He returned to work on May 18. Ercanbrack was running for sheriff at the time, but lost to Short in the June 2 Republican primary.

Ercanbrack was named chief in April 2023, replacing former Chief Scott Kessel.

The Police Department's roster includes four on-duty officers. Caleb Thomas joined in July 2023, Don Luthey in September 2023, Seth Power in December 2023, Vince Smart in late 2024 and Tim Steffenson in February 2025.

Luthey left the city force and joined the county Sheriff’s Office on June 8. He was promoted June 13 to patrol captain.

Taylor also said the city may be close to filling an open spot on the police force.

“We’ve had a sixth open position and we recently interviewed two candidates,” Taylor said. “If all goes well, we may be able to present a candidate to the police commission this week.”

OFFICIALS ARE not saying if Ercanbrack’s current leave is related to March's officer-involved shooting. 

The shooting occurred at a camper parked on Libby Creek Road. Officers from the Libby Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Border Patrol attempted to serve a search warrant on the property where Aaron Jeffrey Graham and his father, Jeffrey William Graham, lived.

Aaron Graham, who law enforcement suspected of multiple criminal acts, was shot during the incident, the court filing said. Charges have not been filed against Graham in relation to an allegation that he was using surveillance equipment to spy on an ex-girlfriend.

Jeffrey Graham eventually left the camper and Ercanbrack said he heard Aaron Graham yell that he had a gun. Officers drew their firearms and Aaron Graham barricaded himself in the camper while threatening to shoot the officers. After trying to deescalate the situation, officers were able to talk to Aaron and they learned he had a severe, self-inflicted laceration to his wrist which caused profuse bleeding.

The Missoula law firm Siefert and Wagner is considering litigation regarding the incident.

Nate Wagner, a partner in the firm, spoke to The Western News on June 26 regarding the incident.

“We continue to evaluate claims and we’re still waiting on more information before a decision is made on any legal action,” Wagner said.