Okarche town trustees fired Police Chief Forrest Smith near the end of a special meeting last Tuesday.

The move was made after more than three hours in executive session and came by way of a 4-1 vote.

Voting for the move were Jon Alig, Jeff Brueggen, Jason Kroener and J.D. Mueggenborg. Mayor Jeff Sadler cast the dissenting vote.

Smith has been the Okarche chief for six years and was previously among those who filed to run for Kingfisher County sheriff.

Okarche Police Sgt. Chris Sadler (no relation to Jeff) was named the acting chief.

Sadler has also been serving as the school resource officer.

The meeting, which played out in front of a full crowd at Town Hall, also saw trustees vote to accept the resignation of Town Attorney Bryce Kennedy.

One of the items on the agenda posted at Town Hall called for the “Consideration and possible action concerning termination of professional legal services with Town Attorney Bryce S. Kennedy.”

The next agenda item was consideration and possible move to hire Daniel G. Webber as the town attorney, which was also approved.

After that, the trustees moved into executive session.

“I must admit, it would be a complete fabrication if I were to claim that I wasn’t deeply saddened and heartbroken by the termination from my position,” Smith told the Times & Free Press.

“For decades, my days have been dedicated to serving and protecting the communities for which I served, to being there for the vulnerable and the desolate when they needed someone to lean on. Every moment was filled with a sense of purpose, knowing that I was making a difference, no matter how small.”

In a Facebook post Tuesday night, Smith said board members were “driven by their own selfish motives” and that his firing was unjust and “without any valid justification.”

He also wrote the trustees’ decision “was influenced by my recent endeavors as a candidate” for sheriff.

On Thursday, he told the Times & Free Press: “My sudden termination as chief of police has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving me and residents bewildered by the unexpected turn of events. This termination, driven by a collaboration of petty grievances, comes as a surprising blow not only to me, but also to the entire community.”

The Times & Free Press reached out to multiple members of the board of trustees.

“With respect to the community, I do not wish to comment at this time,” said Brueggen.

Kroener replied: “Due to the sensitivity of the situation, my only comment is we continue to be grateful to the current police force for the good work they are doing for our community.”

Tuesday’s meeting came less than two weeks after a special meeting in which the board of trustees was slated to receive a “presentation by LaDonna Sinning from Arledge & Associates, P.C. and discussion concerning Fiscal Year 2022 audit and give direction as deemed appropriate.”

The trustees have yet to see that audit, which is for the 2021-22 fiscal year.

According to an Okarche Warrior (newspaper) story posted online, “an ongoing audit has raised concerns about a police department fundraiser and Smith has been asked to produce documents surrounding a past fundraiser that sold patches.”

The story went on to say “Smith said all information had previously been turned over to the auditing team. He said information about a fundraiser selling patches in 2021 was turned in.”

As he turns the page to the next step in his career, Smith said he hopes the people of Okarche will remember his service.

“Despite my disappointment and sadness, I can only hope that my legacy in Okarche will endure, and that the community will remember the positive impact I strived to make, regardless of this setback,” he told the Times & Free Press.