The apparent stability enjoyed in the Libby Police Department was short lived.

Police chief Cody Ercanbrack is on administrative leave for the second time in less than four months while recently promoted Sgt. Don Luthey now works for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

Ercanbrack first confirmed he was on administrative leave in text messaging Friday, June 19, with The Western News. Ercanbrack had no other comment regarding the situation.

Libby Mayor Hugh Taylor, on Thursday, June 25, confirmed Ercanbrack was on paid administrative leave in a 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 phone conversation June 29 with The Western News. "People need to speak to the mayor and ask for the criminal activity vs. 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 city police department with its officers joining the county.

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

Sheriff Darren Short told The Western News in a June 25 phone conversation 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 officer-involved shooting March 4 of Aaron Jeffrey Graham. He returned to work on May 18. At the time, Ercanbrack was running for sheriff before losing in the June 2 Republican primary to incumbent Darren Short.

Ercanbrack was named chief in April 2023, replacing former Chief Scott Kessel, who parted ways with the city in the early part of the month after both sides approved a separation agreement.

Kessel came under fire after three officers quit the force on Nov. 21, 2022. A fourth left in the spring of 2023, leaving former Sgt. Ron Buckner as the lone officer on the force. Buckner is no longer with the department following his suspension in 2024.

Currently, LPD's force includes four on-duty officers. Caleb Thomas joined in July 2023, Luthey in September 2023, Seth Power in December 2023, Vince Smart joined late in 2024 and Tim Steffenson came on in February 2025.

Luthey left the city force and joined the county sheriff’s office 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 the officer-involved shooting in March. 

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 Jeffrey Graham, who Iaw enforcement suspected of multiple criminal acts, was subsequently 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 the ex-girlfriend.

Jeffrey eventually left the camper and Ercanbrack said he heard Aaron yell that he had a gun. Officers drew their firearms and Aaron barricaded himself in the camper while threatening to shoot the officers. After a period of 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 legal action regarding the incident.

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