Libby Police Chief Cody Ercanbrack wasn’t planning on running for Lincoln County sheriff, but two things changed his mind.

“After I got here, people asked me about it,” he said in a recent interview with The Western News. “I had several law enforcement officers, several different agencies and others in the community kept asking.”

Ercanbrack is running against incumbent Sheriff Darren Short and Libby resident Marty Dunbar in the June 2 primary. Absentee ballots were mailed May 8, but polls will be open June 2 in Libby, Troy and Eureka. Troy Police officer Ian Smith filed as a Libertarian and is not opposed in the primary, meaning he will likely oppose the Republican primary winner in the November general election.

Ercanbrack touted his objectivity during a candidate forum last week in Libby.

“I cited my own mother for running a stop sign,” he said to some laughter in the crowd. “We need to be objective and everyone needs to be held accountable.”

He also said the timing was right because the department he’s led since April 2023 has found stability since it nearly fell apart at the end of 2022.

The mass resignation of three officers - Ian Smith, Chris Pape and Cody Dewitt. Joshua Brabo turned in his resignation a few months later. Chief Scott Kessel and the city later reached a separation agreement. The lone officer who remained, Ron Buckner, is no longer a member of the force after a state investigation resulted in him losing his certification to be a law enforcement officer in Montana.

“LPD is stable and self sufficient,” Ercanbrack said. “Becoming sheriff would allow me to take it to a larger level. Provide more training to deputies so they have a higher level of professionalism.

“Training for all members of the department is critical. If there is no improvement, there is no progression. If the deputies are miserable coming to work, it affects how they treat people. More training can lead to a longer and healthier career.”

Ercanbrack has campaigned while on paid administrative leave since being involved in an officer-related shooting March 5 that left Aaron Jeffrey Graham hospitalized with serious injuries. Ercanbrack confirmed in a phone call with The Western News he returned to active duty Monday, May 18.

Graham was being investigated for offenses involving a former girlfriend when Ercanbrack and deputies from the sheriff’s office served a search warrant March 4 at his residence in Libby Creek Road.

Graham appeared on video Monday in Lincoln County District Court for sentencing after he pleaded guilty to possession of dangerous drugs. According to a plea deal filed Jan. 15, Graham’s plea would be in exchange for the dismissal of the intimidation plea. The sentencing recommendation called for a 3-year deferred sentence. On Feb. 2, Graham pleaded guilty to possession of dangerous drugs. 

District Judge Matt Cuffe kept to the sentencing agreed upon by prosecutor Lauren O'Neill and defense attorney Maury Solomon in sentencing Graham to a 3-year deferred term. A $5,000 fine was suspended and the $850 public defender's fee was waived.

Graham did not make a statement.

Ercanbrack didn’t speak about the shooting incident due to concerns over the possibility of litigation related to the shooting.

His attorney, Lance Jasper, did speak to The Western News.

“I’ve represented officers for 25 years in shooting cases and this one has been unique,” Jasper said. “Cody is anxious to return to work and this has been hard on him and his family.

“The independent investigation by Flathead County has been complete for some time and on average, an officer involved in a shooting, they don’t string it out like this. If defies what is good for the officer, the department and the city,” Jasper said.

Ercanbrack did elaborate on what he believes his department has achieved in the last three years and why it’s important for law enforcement across the county to work together as much possible.

“Visibility is important, we’ve increased traffic stops by 70% and it’s resulted in a 40% reduction in property crimes,” Ercanbrack said. “National studies prove the need to partner better with other agencies. We all have the same goals. If we’re training together, we train better and it creates more trust and more confidence to go out on a call and know you’re not alone. The Troy and Eureka police departments feel neglected and that shouldn’t be.”

The chief also shared his grant writing and fund raising efforts to improve Libby’s department.

“We’ve received $300,000 in grant funding and we’ve been able to obtain body armor, our firearms are agency-owned, we’ve improved our gym so our officers can stay fit, we’ve updated our radar that’s more accurate, Cabinet Peaks Medical Center donated first aid kits and we were able to get gear for our reserve officers, including body armor and duty gear.”

Ercanbrack also spoke about the defunct county Crisis Response Team that served as a critical support unit to law enforcement.

“The mental health calls are a huge burden that takes a ton of time to work through issues and we’re not mental health professionals,” he said. “I think we all should have fought harder for it.”

He believes his education and experience have allowed him to bring modern policing to the city department.

“I’ve worked as a reserve officer with the county sheriff’s office and I have a degree in sociology and linguistics from Lewis-Clark State College. I became an Idaho state trooper, worked as a field training officer before being promoted to the Idaho State Police Training Section, where I oversaw the State Police Academy and supervised statewide firearms, defensive tactics, Taser, fitness, wellness and in-service training programs for nearly 300 troopers. In this role, I managed curriculum development, instructor certification, policy updates, equipment procurement, and recruit supervision, while also developing a comprehensive wellness program focused on physical and mental resilience.”