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Ephrata Police Officer Zach Smith received the city's 2026 Three Pillars Award“EPHRATA — Ephrata Police Officer Zach Smith was recognized Wednesday by the Ephrata City Council as the recipient of the city's 2026 Three Pillars Award, an honor given to employees who exemplify the city's core values of doing the right thing, trusting and being trustworthy, and committing to the cause.”
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Ephrata Police Officer Zach Smith received the city's 2026 Three Pillars Award during an Aug. 5 city council meeting“Smith, a nearly five-year employee of the Ephrata Police Dept., received the award during the Aug. 5 city council meeting after being nominated by Sgt. Jack McLaughlin.”
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Ephrata Police Officer Zach Smith received the city's 2026 Three Pillars Award for his investigative work on a Grant County Public Works fraud case“While city officials did not specify a single incident behind the award, City Administrator Ray Towry said Smith's work investigating a Grant County Public Works fraud case played a significant role in the decision. "That was certainly a piece of it," Towry said. "That was an exemplary piece of investigation and diligence on behalf of the taxpayer." In June 2025, Smith investigated a theft-by-deception case involving nearly $600,000 in fraudulent checks issued by Grant County Public Works after scammers impersonated a legitimate vendor. Working with county officials and Chase Bank, Smith traced one check worth approximately $150,000 that had already been cashed and helped facilitate the recovery and return of the funds.”
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Smith recovered $150,000 in fraudulent checks“Working with county officials and Chase Bank, Smith traced one check worth approximately $150,000 that had already been cashed and helped facilitate the recovery and return of the funds.”
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Smith recovered $150,000 in fraudulent checks through a June 2025 investigation“Working with county officials and Chase Bank, Smith traced one check worth approximately $150,000 that had already been cashed and helped facilitate the recovery and return of the funds.”
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Smith recovered $150,000 in fraudulent checks through a June 2025 investigation involving nearly $600,000 in stolen funds“In June 2025, Smith investigated a theft-by-deception case involving nearly $600,000 in fraudulent checks issued by Grant County Public Works after scammers impersonated a legitimate vendor. Working with county officials and Chase Bank, Smith traced one check worth approximately $150,000 that had already been cashed and helped facilitate the recovery and return of the funds.”
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Smith worked with county officials and Chase Bank“Working with county officials and Chase Bank, Smith traced one check worth approximately $150,000 that had already been cashed and helped facilitate the recovery and return of the funds.”
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City Administrator Ray Towry noted the investigation benefited Grant County residents beyond Ephrata“Towry noted that the investigation benefited more than just Ephrata residents. "Keep in mind that he did it for Grant County, not for the city of Ephrata," Towry said. "What he did had a positive effect on everybody in Grant County."”
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Mayor Steve Oliver called Smith 'a great example of what we want to have' in city employees“"I've dealt with him before, just because he's been nearby, and I flagged him down," Oliver said in an interview Thursday. "He's just a great example of what we want to have. He was polite, friendly, attentive. Everything you could ask for, he was helpful."”
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The council designated Aug. 5 as City of Ephrata Employee Appreciation Day“During the council meeting, officials formally declared Smith the city's 2026 Three Pillars Award recipient and designated Aug. 5 as City of Ephrata Employee Appreciation Day.”
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The council designated Aug. 5 as City of Ephrata Employee Appreciation Day to honor Smith's recognition“During the council meeting, officials formally declared Smith the city's 2026 Three Pillars Award recipient and designated Aug. 5 as City of Ephrata Employee Appreciation Day.”
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Smith's recognition reflects the city's focus on retaining dedicated public servants“"I see him as the next generation of lasting for a full career there," Oliver said. "Officer Smith is young and he's tranquil, and as you can see, he's learning everything he can, and he's actually practicing what he learns. He's really what we look for when we find candidates for this job." The mayor also emphasized the importance of recognizing exceptional public employees. "Being recognized and getting the attaboy, anybody loves those," Oliver said. "They're not handed out enough to enough people that really do deserve them." During the council meeting, officials formally declared Smith the city's 2026 Three Pillars Award recipient and designated Aug. 5 as City of Ephrata Employee Appreciation Day. Oliver said Smith's recognition reflects the direction city leadership hopes to continue moving. "We're really trying to make it the place where people want to come to and set up a business and move and have their family raised here," he said. "Officer Smith has been outstanding. He was recognized for his outstanding performance, and I ”