Salem City Council Removes Convicted Murderer from Advisory Board
After facing significant public backlash, the Salem City Council decided to revoke the appointment of Kyle Hedquist, a convicted murderer, from the commission advising the city’s police and fire departments. This decision overturned a previous narrow vote in favor of his reappointment.
The council convened a special meeting, where the vote was 6-2 to remove Hedquist from both the Community Police Review Board and the Civil Service Commission. This came on the heels of intense criticism following his initial appointment, which had been approved just weeks earlier.
Hedquist was found guilty of murdering 19-year-old Nikki Thrasher in 1995. He expressed concerns at the time that she would report him to the authorities for hiding stolen goods in his home. After serving nearly 28 years in prison, his sentence was reduced for good behavior under former Governor Kate Brown.
Since his release, Hedquist has worked as a policy director at the Oregon Justice Resource Center, pushing for reforms in the criminal justice system. He mentioned that his intention in joining the advisory board was to continue giving back to the community.
Scrutiny of his role increased when city officials admitted that background checks had not been performed for board members. As a result, the council was not adequately informed about Hedquist’s criminal history, leading to confusion about how such information should impact appointment decisions.
Records from the meetings indicated that there was no clear guidance on which criminal convictions could disqualify candidates, leaving many council members unaware of the implications of their votes.
The uproar intensified following Hedquist’s reappointment, leading police and fire unions to mobilize public support against it. They criticized city leaders for jeopardizing public trust by permitting convicted individuals to influence police and fire advisory panels.
At a public meeting on January 7, emotions ran high, with many testimonies submitted against Hedquist’s role. One council member expressed regret for her earlier vote, stating she wouldn’t have supported his appointment had she known the full extent of his background. Hedquist himself spoke emotionally about his past, emphasizing the weight of his actions on his life moving forward.
His wife also highlighted the severe repercussions their family faced, including death threats, after the issue gained widespread attention. Notably, some community members both defended and opposed Hedquist, showcasing a rift over views on accountability and rehabilitation.
Hudquist’s reappointment was reconsidered after Councilwoman Vanessa Nordyke, who had initially supported him, voiced concerns after hearing from unions and constituents. She later admitted wishing she had listened to public sentiments before the earlier vote.
The council implemented new rules for board appointments in light of the controversy. These include mandatory background checks for candidates and automatic disqualification for those with violent felony convictions. Additionally, the community police board will now be required to have at least one member with personal experience as a crime victim.
Following the votes taken, Hedquist’s reappointment was officially revoked, creating vacancies in both the Community Police Review Board and the Civil Service Commission.
Mayor Julie Hoy, who had opposed Hedquist’s reappointment, clarified via social media that her decision was grounded in governance and public trust rather than personal politics.
As discussions continued, Councilman Brad Brown reflected on the negativity surrounding the council’s decisions, condemning threats against fellow members and the creation of hostile online campaigns against them.
