Salem City Council Reverses Course on Controversial Appointment of Former Convicted Murderer
In a dramatic reversal, the Salem City Council has voted to remove Kyle Hedquist from two public safety advisory boards following intense community backlash. The 6-2 vote during a special meeting on January 7 undid a controversial December decision that had kept Hedquist—convicted of murdering 19-year-old Nikki Thrasher in 1995—on the Community Police Review Board and Civil Service Commission. The case has sparked a broader conversation about rehabilitation, second chances, and the appropriate qualifications for those serving on boards overseeing public safety. The controversy exposed significant procedural gaps in the city’s appointment process, as council members acknowledged they hadn’t been fully informed of Hedquist’s criminal background when making their initial appointment decision.
Hedquist’s journey has been remarkable by any measure. After serving nearly 28 years in prison for murdering Thrasher (whom he killed because he feared she would report him to police for hiding stolen property), then-Governor Kate Brown commuted his sentence, citing his rehabilitation and exemplary behavior. Since his release, Hedquist had become a policy associate for the Oregon Justice Resource Center and an advocate for criminal justice reform in the state legislature. His appointment to advisory boards was framed as a continuation of his commitment to community service, but it quickly became a flashpoint for controversy when the full context of his background emerged. The Salem Police Employees Union and Salem Professional Fire Fighters Local 314 led opposition to his appointment, arguing that placing a convicted murderer in positions overseeing public safety created a “credibility crisis” that undermined public trust.
The January meeting was emotionally charged, with hundreds of written testimonies submitted and passionate arguments presented on both sides. Hedquist himself addressed the council through tears, saying, “For 11,364 days, I have carried the weight of the worst decision of my life. The death of Nikki Thrasher is the gravity that pulls at everything I do.” His wife revealed their family had received death threats after the controversy gained national attention. Meanwhile, Councilor Deanna Gwyn, who switched her position, held up a photo of Thrasher and read a note from the victim’s high school best friend, emphasizing the human cost of Hedquist’s crime. The meeting exposed deep divisions within the community about the proper balance between rehabilitation, accountability, and the representation needed for effective oversight of public safety agencies.
The controversy prompted several councilors to reconsider their positions, including Councilor Vanessa Nordyke, who is challenging Mayor Julie Hoy in the upcoming mayoral race. Nordyke initially supported Hedquist’s reappointment but later acknowledged she was wrong, expressing regret that public testimony hadn’t been heard before the December vote. Mayor Hoy, who consistently opposed Hedquist’s appointment, emphasized that her position was “based on process, governance, and public trust, not ideology or personalities.” The political fallout extended beyond the council chambers, with Councilor Brad Brown condemning death threats received by councilors and a website created to target those who had supported the appointment, lamenting that “I thought we were better than this.”
Beyond addressing Hedquist’s specific appointment, the council meeting produced substantial reforms to Salem’s appointment procedures for boards and commissions. The council unanimously adopted new standards requiring criminal background checks for applicants to the Community Police Review Board and Civil Service Commission, with automatic disqualification for anyone convicted of a violent felony. Additionally, the council reserved at least one seat on the Community Police Review Board for someone with personal experience as a victim of a felony crime, acknowledging the importance of having victim perspectives represented in police oversight. These changes represent a significant procedural overhaul prompted by a controversy that exposed gaps in the city’s vetting process.
The Hedquist case reveals how cities across America are wrestling with complex questions about rehabilitation, representation, and the qualifications needed for civic participation. On one side stand those who believe in second chances and the value of lived experience in shaping policy, including the perspective of those who have been through the criminal justice system. On the other are those who emphasize that certain roles, particularly in public safety oversight, require individuals whose backgrounds won’t undermine public confidence or retraumatize crime victims. The Salem controversy demonstrates that these aren’t abstract philosophical questions but practical governance challenges that affect community trust, public safety, and the functioning of democratic institutions. As cities increasingly embrace criminal justice reform, they must also thoughtfully establish clear standards for civic participation that balance rehabilitation with accountability and public trust.
