Controversy Surrounds Reappointment of Convicted Murderer to Police Review Board

A convicted murderer, who infamously killed a teenage girl, has been voted onto the police review board in Oregon City, where some believe his unique experiences provide valuable insights.

Kyle Hedquist, aged 47, was reappointed by the Salem City Council with a narrow 5-4 vote to the commission responsible for assessing police complaints, despite having spent 27 years in prison for his crime. According to reports, his violent past stems from a tragic event in 1994, when he murdered 19-year-old Nikki Thrasher. He lured her to a remote area and shot her in the back of the head, fearing she would inform others about a robbery.

Interestingly, Hedquist was released in 2022 after then-Governor Kate Brown, a Democrat, argued that he shouldn’t be imprisoned for life since he was only 17 at the time of the murder.

Members of the Salem City Council have publicly commended Hedquist for the unique perspective he offers, particularly regarding community safety. Councilwoman Mai Van noted that his experiences with the criminal justice system grant him insights most board members lack. “He understands community safety from a different perspective,” she remarked following the recent vote.

However, because of his felony conviction, Hedquist won’t be able to participate in ride-alongs like other board members, a rule from which the city has decided to exempt him.

Vann maintained that Hedquist’s recent efforts to reform his life demonstrate his commitment to helping others. “If any of us needed a second chance, we would hope for the same,” she stated.

Opposition against Hedquist’s position is mounting in the predominantly Democratic city, with many—including the Salem Police Officers Union and other Council members—expressing disapproval of the decision.

“I don’t think it’s wise to believe we’re educating people about how to engage with those who have criminal records,” said union president Scotty Nowning in an interview. Additionally, the Salem Professional Fire Department Local 314 released a statement urging community cooperation.

At a meeting held at the Salem Public Library, which he attended with his wife, Hedquist expressed his appreciation for the City Council’s decision. “What some members said was just as important as reelecting me,” he commented, highlighting the discussions around his appointment.

The decision to release Hedquist in 2022 was met with condemnation from the victim’s mother, Holly Thrasher, who voiced her distress over the lack of communication regarding his release. “He took my daughter’s life in cold blood. It was a cold-blooded murder. He planned it,” she lamented.

The local police had characterized the choice to release him as “shocking and irresponsible” at the time.