In Salem, Oregon, a decision by city officials to reappoint Kyle Hedquist, 47, to the Community Police Review Board and Civil Service Commission has caused a significant uproar. This development follows a 5–4 vote by Salem officials last month, despite Hedquist's conviction for the 1994 execution-style murder of 19-year-old Nikki Thrasher.
Hedquist received a life sentence without the possibility of parole, but in 2022, his sentence was commuted by then-Governor Kate Brown (D), on the basis that he was a minor at the time of the crime. After spending approximately 27 years in prison, Hedquist was released, and three years later, he has returned to a role that entails reviewing police conduct.
His appointment has been met with strong opposition from law enforcement, prosecutors, and the victim's family. Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson criticized the decision as reckless and deeply inappropriate, drawing parallels between trusting Hedquist with oversight of the police and putting a bank robber in charge of a bank. Similarly, Salem Police Employees Union President Scotty Nowning expressed disbelief at the notion of educating someone with Hedquist's criminal history on police procedures.
The controversy has also reopened painful memories for Nikki Thrasher's mother, Holly Thrasher, who was not notified prior to Hedquist's sentence being commuted. She recounted the calculated and premeditated nature of her daughter's murder, emphasizing the gravity of Hedquist's actions.
Despite the outcry, some defend Hedquist's position, including Salem City Councilor Mai Vang, who argued that his unique experience with the criminal justice system could provide a valuable perspective to the board. Critics, however, view this explanation as indicative of flawed priorities within the city's governance.
The incident that led to Hedquist's conviction involved luring Nikki Thrasher to a remote logging road and shooting her in the back of the head, a crime described by prosecutors as calculated and deliberate. Hedquist's early release was part of a clemency spree by Governor Brown that resulted in the liberation of numerous violent offenders, a move that faced stern condemnation from law enforcement bodies.
Since the reappointment, the Salem Professional Fire Fighters Local 314 has taken action by initiating a website that calls for the city to reverse its decision, appealing to residents to support law enforcement and address this contentious issue.
Hedquist himself has downplayed the controversy, noting his previous two-year tenure on the board without problems and emphasizing that the role is advisory in nature. However, for many Salem residents, the idea of someone with a murder conviction playing a part in overseeing police conduct has become emblematic of what they perceive as the city's misguided ideological decisions.
