Ephrata police chief placed on administrative leave
Mayor declines comment on recent suspension.
Updated
Public entryway to the police station at Ephrata City Hall. Photos by Randy Bracht
EPHRATA — Ephrata police chief Erik Koch was placed on unpaid administrative leave earlier this month for reasons that top city officials have not publicly disclosed.
Koch, 54, is a 22-year veteran of the local department. He was appointed police chief in November 2022 by then-mayor Bruce Reim and also served as interim chief during a transition period in 2020.
Under Ephrata’s form of municipal government, the mayor determines who will serve in the city’s top administrative positions, subject to council confirmation. Koch, who does not have an employment contract with the city, is considered an at-will employee serving at the discretion of Mayor Steve Oliver.
Koch declined to comment on his employment status when contacted Friday by GCJ.news. Similarly, Oliver, in his first year as Ephrata’s mayor, declined to answer questions submitted on Sept. 18.
“Unfortunately, I have no comment at this time,” Oliver replied in a text message. “Once everything is settled and final I will be more than happy to answer your questions regarding this matter. Thank you for your understanding.”
The mayor was asked whether Koch was under scrutiny for any unlawful conduct, unprofessional behavior, or violation of city policies. Oliver was also asked whether he or city administrator Ray Towry had consulted with police department personnel or city council members before Koch was placed on leave.
Koch informed his officers and administrative staff of his suspension just prior to a Sept. 16 Ephrata City Council meeting.
That meeting later concluded with a lengthy closed-door session regarding an unspecified personnel matter. In attendance were the mayor, Towry, city attorney Anna Franz, and city council members Phil Borck, Kathleen Harris, Beau Lamens, James Mathis, Matt Moore, and Mike Warren.
Warren is a former Ephrata police chief and interim city administrator; Lamens is currently a chief deputy with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
There is unconfirmed information that Koch and the city are discussing some form of separation agreement.
Capt. Troy Froewiss is the department's second-in-command.
Koch holds supervisor training certifications from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, is a graduate of the FBI’s national training academy for law enforcement, and has served on several area law enforcement oversight boards, including the Central Basin Investigative Team and Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team.
Prior to his police career, Koch served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a reconnaissance team leader, and he holds associate degrees and a commercial pilot certification from Big Bend Community College.
Last month, city officials were touting a new report showing that crime numbers in Ephrata had dropped by nearly 22% in 2025 compared to 2024. The report was issued by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.
“We thank our residents and community partners for all of the support we receive day in and day out that helps make us successful,” the department said in an online post.
Ephrata mayor Steve Oliver (left) and police chief Erik Koch.
We use cookies to keep GCJ.news working and, with your consent, to understand how our community uses the site. We use this data only internally to run and improve the site — we never sell your personal information. See our cookie & privacy policies.
Ephrata police chief placed on administrative leave
Mayor declines comment on recent suspension.
EPHRATA — Ephrata police chief Erik Koch was placed on unpaid administrative leave earlier this month for reasons that top city officials have not publicly disclosed.
Koch, 54, is a 22-year veteran of the local department. He was appointed police chief in November 2022 by then-mayor Bruce Reim and also served as interim chief during a transition period in 2020.
Under Ephrata’s form of municipal government, the mayor determines who will serve in the city’s top administrative positions, subject to council confirmation. Koch, who does not have an employment contract with the city, is considered an at-will employee serving at the discretion of Mayor Steve Oliver.
Koch declined to comment on his employment status when contacted Friday by GCJ.news. Similarly, Oliver, in his first year as Ephrata’s mayor, declined to answer questions submitted on Sept. 18.
“Unfortunately, I have no comment at this time,” Oliver replied in a text message. “Once everything is settled and final I will be more than happy to answer your questions regarding this matter. Thank you for your understanding.”
The mayor was asked whether Koch was under scrutiny for any unlawful conduct, unprofessional behavior, or violation of city policies. Oliver was also asked whether he or city administrator Ray Towry had consulted with police department personnel or city council members before Koch was placed on leave.
Koch informed his officers and administrative staff of his suspension just prior to a Sept. 16 Ephrata City Council meeting.
That meeting later concluded with a lengthy closed-door session regarding an unspecified personnel matter. In attendance were the mayor, Towry, city attorney Anna Franz, and city council members Phil Borck, Kathleen Harris, Beau Lamens, James Mathis, Matt Moore, and Mike Warren.
Warren is a former Ephrata police chief and interim city administrator; Lamens is currently a chief deputy with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.
There is unconfirmed information that Koch and the city are discussing some form of separation agreement.
Capt. Troy Froewiss is the department's second-in-command.
Koch holds supervisor training certifications from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, is a graduate of the FBI’s national training academy for law enforcement, and has served on several area law enforcement oversight boards, including the Central Basin Investigative Team and Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team.
Prior to his police career, Koch served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a reconnaissance team leader, and he holds associate degrees and a commercial pilot certification from Big Bend Community College.
Last month, city officials were touting a new report showing that crime numbers in Ephrata had dropped by nearly 22% in 2025 compared to 2024. The report was issued by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.
“We thank our residents and community partners for all of the support we receive day in and day out that helps make us successful,” the department said in an online post.