Salem City Council Revokes Appointment of Convicted Murderer

After facing weeks of criticism and public outcry, the Salem City Council made the decision to remove Kyle Hedquist, a convicted murderer, from his role on a commission that advises the city’s police and fire departments. This action effectively reversed a prior reappointment he received just a few weeks ago.

During a special meeting, the council voted 6-2 to revoke Hedquist’s positions on both the Community Police Review Board and the Civil Service Commission. This decision contradicted a narrow 5-4 vote from December 8 that had supported his reappointment, despite the Board and Commission Appointments Committee recommending that the Police Review Board position remain open.

Hedquist was convicted for the murder of 19-year-old Nikki Thrasher in 1995, claiming he acted out of fear that she would report him for concealing stolen goods. After serving nearly 28 years in prison, his sentence was reduced by then-Governor Kate Brown for good behavior and rehabilitation efforts.

Public Outcry Following Reappointment

Public reaction intensified after the December vote, particularly from local police and fire unions. They accused city leaders of undermining trust by appointing someone with such a serious criminal background to a public safety advisory role. Council members were reportedly not informed about Hedquist’s past during the appointment process because background checks were not conducted on the commission members.

Meeting records indicated a lack of guidance provided to councilors about what criminal convictions might disqualify applicants or how long it should take for those convictions to no longer be a concern.

The controversy further escalated as community members gathered to voice their opinions during the January 7 meeting. Councilor Deanna Gwynn expressed regret for initially supporting Hedquist’s appointment, stating she would have voted differently had she known about his criminal history.

During the meeting, Hedquist, visibly emotional, acknowledged the weight of his past actions. “For 11,364 days, I have carried the weight of the worst decision of my life,” he stated regarding Thrasher’s death. His wife described receiving death threats following the public backlash over his reappointment, highlighting the divisions within the community regarding rehabilitation and public safety.

Some councilors also reflected on their previous decisions. Vanessa Nordyke, who initially supported Hedquist, admitted to having changed her mind after hearing from the public and the police and fire unions.

The council ultimately voted to implement new rules requiring background checks for individuals applying to positions on public safety committees. Under these new standards, anyone with a violent felony conviction will be disqualified from serving, and at least one seat on the Community Police Review Board will be designated for someone who has experienced serious crime.

In a statement after the meeting, Mayor Julie Hoy emphasized that her position was rooted in governance and public trust rather than political considerations. She noted the community’s concerns and the importance of maintaining respect for the decision-making process.

Councilor Brad Brown criticized the hostility that arose from this situation, remarking on the serious nature of death threats directed at council members and the targeting of those who voted for Hedquist’s reappointment.