UPDATE: In a surprising turn of events, the Salem City Council has voted to remove convicted murderer Kyle Hedquist from its police oversight board during a special meeting held on January 7, 2026. The council’s decision came after significant backlash from the community over Hedquist’s appointment, which had originally been approved by a narrow 5-4 vote just weeks earlier.
The controversy erupted when residents learned that Hedquist, who was sentenced to life without parole for the 1994 murder of Nikki Thrasher, was nominated to the Community Police Review Board. His conviction stemmed from a brutal act where he shot Thrasher to prevent her from revealing details about his burglary spree. Although he was released in 2022 after serving 28 years, community outrage regarding his role in police oversight has been palpable.
During the council meeting, members voted 6-2 to rescind Hedquist’s appointment amid mounting public pressure. Mayor Julie Hoy, who previously opposed his nomination, stated, “Wednesday night’s meeting reflected the level of concern many in our community feel about this issue.” She emphasized that her decision was based on maintaining public trust rather than personal beliefs.
The backlash also drew criticism from the Salem Police Employees’ Union, whose president, Scotty Nowning, expressed concerns about the implications of appointing someone with such a criminal history to a position of authority. “To think that we’re providing education on how we do what we do to someone with that criminal history, it just doesn’t seem too smart,” Nowning said.
The decision to remove Hedquist prompted swift changes to city policy regarding appointments to public safety boards. Moving forward, applicants for the Community Police Review Board and the Civil Service Commission will now be required to undergo criminal background checks. Those with convictions for violent felonies will be disqualified from serving.
Hedquist, who has worked as a policy associate for the Oregon Justice Center since his release, defended his nomination in a previous council meeting, stating that he carries the weight of his past decisions. “There is not a day that has gone by that I have not thought about my actions that brought me to prison,” he said. This statement reflects his deep remorse and commitment to community service.
Reactions to the council’s decision have been mixed, with hundreds of testimonies presented both in support of and against Hedquist’s involvement in local governance. His family has reportedly faced death threats since the news of his appointment broke, highlighting the intense emotional landscape surrounding this issue.
As the city grapples with the fallout from this highly publicized decision, it serves as a pivotal moment in the ongoing conversation about criminal justice reform and community accountability in policing. The next steps will be critical as Salem aims to restore trust within its community and ensure that similar controversies do not arise in the future.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as Salem’s city council continues to navigate the complexities of public safety and community governance.
