Joshua Dean Villebrun-Burr, of Tower, Minnesota, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, on August 5, 2026.

Josh was born on May 24, 1986, in Virginia, Minnesota. He attended Central Elementary School, Bemidji Middle School, and Bemidji High School before transferring to Orr High School, where he graduated in 2005.

From a young age, Josh dedicated his life to helping others. He became an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) early in his adult life and took great pride in serving his community. He continued answering the call to help those in need for many years and remained committed to serving others until medical challenges made it no longer possible.

Following his work as an EMT, Josh pursued a career in law enforcement. After completing training at the U.S. Indian Police Academy, he became a police officer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He was known as a friendly, compassionate, and fair officer who genuinely cared about the people he served. Through his dedication and hard work, Josh achieved the milestone of becoming a lieutenant with the Bureau of Indian Affairs before retiring due to medical reasons.

Although Josh loved his career and took great pride in serving his community, his passions extended far beyond his profession. He had an incredible interest in vehicles and could tell you just about anything there was to know about a car. He also loved airplanes and enjoyed watching videos of them taking off and landing. More than anything, Josh treasured making memories with the people he loved. He had a wealth of knowledge on countless subjects, especially the law, and was always willing to share what he knew.

Above all else, Josh's greatest joy was his family. He cherished every opportunity to spend time with his mom, dad, sisters, and loved ones. He had an infectious smile, an unmistakable laugh, and a kind heart that left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. Throughout his health challenges, Josh remained a fighter. Even in the face of adversity, he showed remarkable strength, courage, and resilience.

Josh is survived by his loving mother, Carol Burr; his father, Thomas Burr; his younger sisters, Bridgette Burr and Serena King; his siblings, Kayla Reyes, Shileen Kingbird, and Brandon Stevens; along with several aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family members, and many dear friends.

A wake will be held on Monday, August 10, 2026 starting at 5:00pm, followed by funeral services on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 11:00am, at the Bois Forte Tribal Government Building.