EPD chief, city agree to separation pact; search for successor to start
Froewiss named interim chief; Adkinson hired as 'public safety consultant.'
Updated
Ephrata mayor Steve Oliver (center), city council members, and staff review documents during a special meeting Friday evening, Oct. 23, that included resignation of police chief Erik Koch, appointment of his interim replacement, and recruitment efforts to fill position. Photos by Randy Bracht
EPHRATA — In a brief special session Friday evening, Ephrata city council members unanimously approved resolutions that included a separation agreement with police chief Erik Koch, appointment of EPD Capt. Troy Froewiss as interim chief, retaining former police chief Kurt Adkinson as an administrative consultant, and hiring a recruiting firm to search for a permanent replacement to lead the department.
Afterward, Mayor Steve Oliver — on the advice of city attorney Anna Franz — declined to answer questions about underlying reasons for Koch’s departure or why he was placed on unpaid administrative leave last month.
The separation agreement, signed Oct. 16, said Koch resigned effective Oct. 23, and the pact was not an admission by him or the city that either party had violated any law or failed to fulfill any duty. Koch had consulted a Spokane attorney prior to agreeing to the settlement, and declined to publicly comment during the process.
Under the settlement, he waives any future claims or causes of action against the city pertaining to his employment and agrees not to make any “negative, derogatory, or disparaging comments” about the city or its officials.
Koch will receive a severance package totaling $90,907, minus any tax withholdings. Provisions include a payment of $33,256 — equivalent to three months of his annual salary of $133,023 — plus obligations for accrued sick leave ($31,650), vacation time ($18,463), three months’ insurance benefits valued at $5,429, and other accrued time valued at $2,110.
The city said its insurance carrier will provide reimbursement up to $90,000 of those costs, and the city will not oppose Koch if he applies for unemployment insurance benefits.
Along with the mayor, council members present at city hall for the special meeting were Valli Millard, James Mathis, Kathleen Harris, Mike Warren, and Phil Borck, along with Froewiss and Adkinson. Another councilman, Beau Lamens, and city administrator Ray Towry both participated online; councilman Matt Moore was absent. Outside of voting on resolution motions, there was little comment.
A press release issued afterward by the city said Koch had “contributed greatly to the welfare of Ephrata’s residents” during his 22-year service with the police department. The statement said Koch was instrumental in upgrading technology used by field officers and showed “careful judgment” in the use of tax dollars, managing the budget, and navigating through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Erik has been invaluable to the city of Ephrata in his tenure here,” Oliver said in the statement. “He has been an asset to our community, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
Oliver also signed a separate letter of reference that spoke of Koch’s ability to “balance innovation with fiscal responsibility” and for “advancing professional standards within the department. Erik is respected for his character and dedication to those around him.”
Koch started as police chief in December 2022 after previously serving in the positions of captain, sergeant, and patrol officer. He is a graduate of the FBI’s national law enforcement academy and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
In his resignation letter, Koch expressed “sincere appreciation and respect for the men and women that I had the privilege to lead. Their dedication to protecting the community is inspiring. I have the utmost respect for each of them and their families.”
“It was my honor to serve and protect the people of Ephrata over the last 22 years,” he wrote in conclusion.
During Friday’s meeting, the council confirmed Froewiss’ appointment as interim chief during the city’s recruitment of a permanent police chief, and hiring Adkinson — who is no longer a commissioned law enforcement officer — as a “public safety consultant” during the transition process. The position is intended to provide “executive leadership, administrative guidance, organizational assessment, and strategic direction” without exercising any statutory police authority, according to city documents.
Towry told the council that administration of the police department “will need two people.”
Adkinson, a retired Washington State Patrol lieutenant, served as Ephrata police chief from the second half of 2020 to late 2022, when he moved into a role as interim city administrator, working in that capacity until Towry became administrator in May 2023.
As public safety consultant, the city will pay Adkinson a $7,500 monthly salary for a minimum 32-hour work week with no overtime pay. He will also receive two floating holidays and 16 hours of both sick leave and vacation leave. The agreement date is Nov. 2 through March 15, 2027, but can be extended or canceled with advance notice, said Towry.
Froewiss’ monthly salary will increase $670, from $9,746 to $10,416, while serving as interim chief.
Recruitment for a permanent chief will be handled by the consulting firm of WBCP Inc. at a cost of $21,900 plus reimbursable expenses. The company, founded and led by president/CEO Wendi Brown, is based in Oregon with satellite offices in Washington, California, Texas, South Dakota, and Florida.
Towry said the city wants to “cast the broadest net possible” in seeking a new police chief.
A recruitment agency's services (left) were posted for display during Friday evening's meeting. EPD Capt. Troy Froewiss (right), pictured during an Oct. 7 council meeting, was appointed as the department's interim chief during the transition period.
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EPD chief, city agree to separation pact; search for successor to start
Froewiss named interim chief; Adkinson hired as 'public safety consultant.'
EPHRATA — In a brief special session Friday evening, Ephrata city council members unanimously approved resolutions that included a separation agreement with police chief Erik Koch, appointment of EPD Capt. Troy Froewiss as interim chief, retaining former police chief Kurt Adkinson as an administrative consultant, and hiring a recruiting firm to search for a permanent replacement to lead the department.
Afterward, Mayor Steve Oliver — on the advice of city attorney Anna Franz — declined to answer questions about underlying reasons for Koch’s departure or why he was placed on unpaid administrative leave last month.
The separation agreement, signed Oct. 16, said Koch resigned effective Oct. 23, and the pact was not an admission by him or the city that either party had violated any law or failed to fulfill any duty. Koch had consulted a Spokane attorney prior to agreeing to the settlement, and declined to publicly comment during the process.
Under the settlement, he waives any future claims or causes of action against the city pertaining to his employment and agrees not to make any “negative, derogatory, or disparaging comments” about the city or its officials.
Koch will receive a severance package totaling $90,907, minus any tax withholdings. Provisions include a payment of $33,256 — equivalent to three months of his annual salary of $133,023 — plus obligations for accrued sick leave ($31,650), vacation time ($18,463), three months’ insurance benefits valued at $5,429, and other accrued time valued at $2,110.
The city said its insurance carrier will provide reimbursement up to $90,000 of those costs, and the city will not oppose Koch if he applies for unemployment insurance benefits.
Along with the mayor, council members present at city hall for the special meeting were Valli Millard, James Mathis, Kathleen Harris, Mike Warren, and Phil Borck, along with Froewiss and Adkinson. Another councilman, Beau Lamens, and city administrator Ray Towry both participated online; councilman Matt Moore was absent. Outside of voting on resolution motions, there was little comment.
A press release issued afterward by the city said Koch had “contributed greatly to the welfare of Ephrata’s residents” during his 22-year service with the police department. The statement said Koch was instrumental in upgrading technology used by field officers and showed “careful judgment” in the use of tax dollars, managing the budget, and navigating through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Erik has been invaluable to the city of Ephrata in his tenure here,” Oliver said in the statement. “He has been an asset to our community, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
Oliver also signed a separate letter of reference that spoke of Koch’s ability to “balance innovation with fiscal responsibility” and for “advancing professional standards within the department. Erik is respected for his character and dedication to those around him.”
Koch started as police chief in December 2022 after previously serving in the positions of captain, sergeant, and patrol officer. He is a graduate of the FBI’s national law enforcement academy and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.
In his resignation letter, Koch expressed “sincere appreciation and respect for the men and women that I had the privilege to lead. Their dedication to protecting the community is inspiring. I have the utmost respect for each of them and their families.”
“It was my honor to serve and protect the people of Ephrata over the last 22 years,” he wrote in conclusion.
During Friday’s meeting, the council confirmed Froewiss’ appointment as interim chief during the city’s recruitment of a permanent police chief, and hiring Adkinson — who is no longer a commissioned law enforcement officer — as a “public safety consultant” during the transition process. The position is intended to provide “executive leadership, administrative guidance, organizational assessment, and strategic direction” without exercising any statutory police authority, according to city documents.
Towry told the council that administration of the police department “will need two people.”
Adkinson, a retired Washington State Patrol lieutenant, served as Ephrata police chief from the second half of 2020 to late 2022, when he moved into a role as interim city administrator, working in that capacity until Towry became administrator in May 2023.
As public safety consultant, the city will pay Adkinson a $7,500 monthly salary for a minimum 32-hour work week with no overtime pay. He will also receive two floating holidays and 16 hours of both sick leave and vacation leave. The agreement date is Nov. 2 through March 15, 2027, but can be extended or canceled with advance notice, said Towry.
Froewiss’ monthly salary will increase $670, from $9,746 to $10,416, while serving as interim chief.
Recruitment for a permanent chief will be handled by the consulting firm of WBCP Inc. at a cost of $21,900 plus reimbursable expenses. The company, founded and led by president/CEO Wendi Brown, is based in Oregon with satellite offices in Washington, California, Texas, South Dakota, and Florida.
Towry said the city wants to “cast the broadest net possible” in seeking a new police chief.